Something in the Water

 

The Dutch have a special relationship with water. Over the years it has been a constant struggle to keep the water out. Dams, sluices and irrigation canals were built in order to reclaim land or to keep the existing land dry. Most of Holland (provinces Zeeland, South & North Holland, Flevoland, Friesland and Groningen) lies below sea-level.

The lowest point in the Netherlands – the Alexanderpolder near Rotterdam – lies 20 feet below the sea. If you draw a straight line across the Netherlands from the Hook of Holland towards the German border, you will only find yourself above sea-level 40 miles inland. This fact has caused major problems in the past, one of the worst being the 1953 disaster, when during a severe storm the dikes broke and 1835 people drowned.

Delta works
After this tragedy, various projects were started in bid to keep out the water. The largest and most impressive are the Delta Works, also referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World. The Delta Works consist of several movable barriers, locks and dams connecting South Holland and the Zeeland islands. For an interesting insight into the project and the engineering work involved, visit the Delta Expo at Neeltje Jan Waterland near Burgh Haamstede.

Dunes
However we do not solely rely on great feats of engineering to protect our country. The dunes are a natural barrier between land and sea. As dunes are quite vulnerable to external influences such as wind and water, most of the coastal area has been turned into nature reserves, in order to maintain the natural environment. Cycle and walking paths have been carefully laid out, taking visitors through dunes, forests and picturesque villages. Most of the nature reserves as well as the beaches have excellent facilities, which make for a great family day out.