Harlingen (Frisian Harns), on the coast of the Waddenzee opposite the West Frisian islands of Vlieland and Terschelling, was founded in 1243 near the site of the town of Grayn, which was engulfed by the sea in 1134. The harbor of Harlingen, which was formerly a considerable trading town, still exports Frisian products and
imports coal, timber and other industrial raw materials. In the harbor area are shipyards, fish- processing plants, woodworking factories and works producing building materials. There are ferries to the islands of Vlieland and Terschelling. The harbor is linked with Leeuwarden by the Van Harinxma Canal.
Simon Vestdijk, a famous writer, was born in Harlingen and writes about his hometown referring to it as Lahringen.