Sneek, the second largest town in Friesland, lies in the Frisian lake district. It is the main center of an agricultural area, with colleges of agriculture, an agricultural advisory office and a teachers' training college, as well as one of the largest yacht harbors in the country. In summer it is a popular center for water
sports on the Frisian lakes, including the Sneeker Meer (4km/2.5mi from the town).
In addition to the tourist trade, the town's economy depends on a varied range of industry - foodstuffs, textiles, papermaking, chemicals, metalworking. Sneek is also an important market center for dairy produce.