It is a part of the municipality of Alkmaar, and lies about 10 km northwest of Purmerend, between the Schermer and the Beemster polders.

In 1605 De Rijp split off from Graft and became a relief center for the effort to pump the Beemster dry.

The project was run by the architect-engineer Jan Leeghwater, who had been born in De Rijp and even designed the Town hall.

The coat of arms of De Rijp show two herrings which symbolize the importance of the fishing industry for the town.

When it was completed in 1655, various guilds such as the coopers, and other towns of North Holland donated stained glass windows with their coats of arms in 1655.