The Bourtange moor, a large raised bog, formed the border between the Netherlands and Germany.

[3] The shepherds from both Ober- and Niederlangen in Germany and Noord- and Zuidbarge in the Netherlands used the heath for their sheep.

In the 1824 Treaty of Meppen, the border was set, however the compascuum remained in effect until 1866 when permanent settlement was allowed in the moorland.

[6] The first settlers were mainly farmers from Hannover who started to dig the canals, excavate the peat, and plant buckwheat.

[7] In 1966, Veenpark [nl], an open-air museum dedicated to the peat history of the region, was opened.