Ameland is, counted from the west, the fourth inhabited Dutch Wadden island and belongs to the Friesland (Fryslân) province.

From west to east: The population of each village of the island as of 2017[update]: First mentioned as Ambla in the 8th century, it paid tribute to the county of Holland until in 1424 its lord, Ritske Jelmera, declared it a "free lordship" (vrijheerschap).

Although Holland, Friesland and the Holy Roman Emperor contested this quasi-independent status, it remained a free lordship until the ruling family, Cammingha, died out in 1708.

In 1871–72, a dike was built between Ameland and the mainland by a society for the reclamation of Frisian land from the sea.

In the end, it was unsuccessful; the dike did not prove to be durable and in 1882, after heavy storms in the winter, repairs and maintenance of the dam were stopped.

The German forces on the island did not surrender until 2 June 1945, almost a full month after the defeat of Nazi Germany.

[citation needed] In July 2023, a fire on the Panamanian flagged cargo ship MV Fremantle Highway carrying over 3,700 cars off the coast of Ameland left one sailor dead and 22 others injured.