It is located in the municipality of Emmen, about 12 km (7 mi) south of that city.

Schoonebeek is a village which developed on a sandy ridge in the moorland.

[4] It was first mentioned in 1341 as "van Sconebeke" and means "brook with clean water".

The population successfully sabotaged the wells which prevented the Germans from knowing much oil was underneath the ground.

[7] The discovery led to an increase in population, and the construction of new neighbourhoods.