On 1 Jan 2001 the former municipalities of Den Ham and Vriezenveen merged
to form the new municipality of Vriezenveen, which was renamed Twenterand
on 1 Jun 2002.
Vriezenveen had (1 Jan 2000) 19.839 inhabitants on an area of 73.19
km². Settlements: Aadorp, Bruinehaar, De Garstelanden, De Pollen,
Vriezenveen (seat), Weitemanslanden, Westerhaar-Vriezenveensewijk, Westerhoeve.
Flagdescription: over a length of half flagheight along the hoist a
green stripe, with a white diamond, touching the sides of the stripe, charged
with a green oakleaf; the fly is white, charged with three diagonal green
stripes.
Adopted 25 Mar 1966 by municipal resolution.
It is said that the oak represents the old "Rusluie", Vriezenveners,
who had moved to Russia, mainly St. Petersburg and who were considered
to be tough as oaks.
Vriezenveen old unofficial flag
by Jarig Bakker, 2 Jun 2003
Sierksma's Nederlands Vlaggenboek (1962) [sie62]
has for Vriezenveen a different flag:
"Two equally wide vertical stripes of green and white, with on the
green stripe the municipal arms.
That flag was not official, but was used by the municipal council on
certain occasions."
It is said that Vriezenveen was founded by Frisians in the 15th century.
Vriezenveen was known because of the "Rusluie", merchants, who traded in
Russia; many villagers left it and started to live in Russia in the 17th
and 18th century. The trade went on till 1917.
Jarig Bakker, 2 Jun 2003
Shipmate Flagchart : http://www.flagchart.net
![[Vriezenveen old unofficial flag]](../images/n/nl-ov_vv.gif)
by Jarig Bakker, 2 Jun 2003
