Population (1 Jan 2003): 28.044; area: 103,98 km²; settlements: Buitenpost
(seat), Augustinusga, Boelenslaan, Drogeham, Gerkesklooster-Stroobos, Harkema,
Kootstertille, Surhuisterveen, Surhuizum, Twijzel, Twijzelerheide.
Achtkarspelen refers to eight 'karspels', parishes, which have
been symbolized in the 8-pointed star on the flag. The municipality is
in northeast Friesland, southeast of the city of Dokkum. The municipal
flag - a symbolic reflection of the municipal arms - was adopted by municipal
resolution on 28 April 1958.
The flag has three stripes: Red (color of the churchwalls) - white
(the silver field of the shield) and green (the green base of the arms).
On the wide center stripe to the hoist is an eight-pointed blue star (the
eight church-spires.
Source: Kl. Sierksma, Nederlands vlaggenboek, 1962 [sie62].
Jarig Bakker, 18 August 1999.
Granted 25 Mar 1818.
Description:
"Argent, charged with a parish-church, standing on a green base, the
shield surmonté with a crown or."
The crown with de border of pearls is also known as a "regentenkroon"
(regent's crown). The color of the church is not specified; at present
the parish-church is usually depicted in red; Achtkarspelen has canting
arms: the eight spires are related to the eight parishes (kerspels) in
Achtkarspelen in 1818. They were: Augustinusga, Buitenpost, Drogeham, Kooten
(now Kootstertille), Kortwoude (now a neighbourhood belonging to Surhuizum),
Lutkepost (now a neighbourhood belonging to Buitenpost), Surhuizum, and
Twijzel.
Source: Wapens en vlaggen in de gemeente Achtkarspelen, Buitenpost,
1999.
Shipmate Flagchart : http://www.flagchart.net
as.jpg)
from the Achtkarspelen municipal
website.
