It is a part of the municipality of Borger-Odoorn, and lies about 18 km north of Emmen.

The village was first mentioned between 1851 and 1855 as "Noorder Hoofddiep of Exlooder Mond", and means "first (canal) that has his mouth (at the main canal) belonging to Exloo".

It refers to a peat colony which is located at the eponymous canal which was dug in 1829.

[5] In 1817, permission was given by Groningen to transport the peat of Drenthe to the "mouth" at Stadskanaal.

The village temporarily grew, and was home to 636 people in 1916, however the growth started to stagnate and it turned into an agricultural community.