The region 'De Lege Geaen' is a reclaimed area from the mouth of the former Middelzee, which ran through Friesland. The region consists of various terp villages just above Sneek.
In the Middle Ages, the sea arm of the Middelzee ran through Friesland, dividing the province into Westergo and Oostergo. The water reached just above Sneek (which did not exist at that time). On the east side of the Middelzee, several villages were situated on an artificial hill, also called a 'terp.' After the Middelzee silted up (around 1200/1300), the area was reclaimed, giving rise to the region 'De Lege Geaen,' or 'The Low Lands.' The terp villages transformed from fishing villages into agricultural communities.
The villages of Offingawier, Gauw, Sibrandabuorren, Tersoal, Poppenwier, and Raerd are located in 'The Low Lands.'
