Stede Broec
Stede Broec (; ) is a municipality in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland and the region of West-Frisia. The name "Stede Broec" derives from "stede" (meaning city) and "broec" (meaning swamp). Population centres. The municipality of Stede Broec consists of the following cities, towns, villages and/or districts: Topography. "Dutch topographic map of the municipality of Stede Broec, June 2015" History. Grootebroek and Bovenkarspel together received city rights in 1364, under the name of Broek. In 1402 Lutjebroek shared in the city rights and Hoogkarspel joined in 1403. Andijk was the fifth to join in 1786. In  1825 the city was dissociated. Stede Broec is located in the region of West Friesland consisting of all the land surrounded by the Westfriese Omringdijk, a dike which then protected the land against the dangers of the tides of the Zuider Zee. Local government. The municipal council of Stede Broec consists of 19 seats, which are divided as follows (as of March 3, 2010):