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

It is named after the eponymous canal which was dug in 1833 to excavate the peat in the area.

[3] The village was founded in 1853, and is one of the longest excavation settlements of the Netherlands.

[4] The Dutch Reformed church was built in 1883, and a tower was added in 1925.

[5] The former steam forge dates from the 1920s and used to make railway carriage and bridge parts for the peat excavation.