Drachten, in the northeastern Netherlands, is a Dutch town, located in the municipality of Smallingerland in the province of Friesland. It is the second largest town in Friesland. Drachten is not connected by the Dutch railway system but it is along the important A7 Motorway. Its extensive bus system connects it to Leeuwarden (35 kilometres (22 mi) northwest) and Groningen (45 kilometres (28 mi) northeast), Heerenveen (24 kilometres (15 mi) southwest) and other centres. It is located along the Wijde Ee waterway, which flows into the larger Prinses Margriet Kanaal. It is surrounded by many small towns; its environment consists of lowlands with forests and peat moors, and nearby lakes.