Gaast
Village
Gaast
Flag Coat of arms
Location in the former Wûnseradiel municipality
Gaast Location in the Netherlands Show map of Friesland Gaast Gaast (Netherlands) Show map of Netherlands
Coordinates: 53°0′59″N 5°24′30″E / 53.01639°N 5.40833°E / 53.01639; 5.40833
Country	Netherlands
Province	Friesland
Municipality	Súdwest-Fryslân
Area [1]
• Total	5.69 km2 (2.20 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	1.0 m (3.3 ft)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Total	200
• Density	35/km2 (91/sq mi)
Postal code	8757[1]
Dialing code	0515

Gaast is a village in Súdwest-Fryslân municipality in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. It had a population of around 220 in January 2017.^[3]

History

The village was first mentioned in the 13th century as lutekagast, and means "geest (higher sandy ground)".^[4] Gaast developed on a sand bank near the former Zuiderzee (nowadays: IJsselmeer).^[5] Its proximity to the sea has caused problems. In 1643, the dyke broke. In 1702, it managed to hold on, however 23 ships off the coast sank near Gaast. The economy used to be based on fishing and sailing, however it has become an agricultural community.^[6]

The Dutch Reformed church was built in the 14th century, and has been restored in 1916.^[5][6]

Gaast was home to 217 people in 1840.^[7] Before 2011, the village was part of the Wûnseradiel municipality.^[7]

Gallery

• 
  Church of Gaast
• 
  Street of Gaast
• 
  Canal view
• 
  View from the dike (1979)