Westfriesland is region in Northern of The Netherlands, in the province Noord-Holland. The regio lays between the rivers the Fli and the IJ. In the area lays also a area called West-Friesland, wich is a regio based on the Westfriese Omring, a dyksytem that lay in Westfriesian province Westflinge.
Westfriesland consists of the municipalities of Alkmaar, Amsterdam (Landelijk Noord), Andijk, Anna Paulowna, Beemster, Bergen, Castricum, Den Helder, Drechterland, Edam-Volendam, Enkhuizen, Graft-De Rijp, Harenkarspel, Heerhugowaard, Heiloo, Hoorn, Landsmeer, Langedijk, Medemblik, Niedorp, Noorder-Koggenland, Purmerend, Obdam, Oostzaan, Opmeer, Schagen, Schermer, Stede Broec, Texel, Uitgeest, Venhuizen, Vlieland, Waterland, Wervershoof, Wester-Koggenland, Wieringen, Wieringermeer, Wognum Wormerland, Zaanstad, Zeevang and Zijpe.
For about 300 years, Westfriesland operated as an autonomous area as the Westfrisians did not want to be subjected to Hollandic authorities. Floris V, Count of Holland tried hard during his reign, but it was his successor John II who finally defeated the Westfrisians in 1297, putting an end to their independence. However, even though Westfriesland formed one united province with Holland in the Dutch Republic, it was recognized a separate region and the parliament of said province, commonly known as Holland, was formally known as the States of Holland and Westfriesland, showing that Westfriesland was still recognized in its own right.
