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The Dutch have a long history of reclamation of marshes and fenland, resulting in some 3,000 polders [9] nationwide. About half the total surface area of polders in north-west Europe is in the Netherlands. The first embankments in Europe were constructed in Roman times. The first polders were constructed in the 11th century.
Aerial view of Flevopolder, the Netherlands Satellite image of Noordoostpolder, the Netherlands (595.41 km 2) A polder (Dutch pronunciation: ⓘ) is a low-lying tract of land that forms an artificial hydrological entity, enclosed by embankments known as dikes. The three types of polder are:
The first polder, Wieringermeer, was dammed in 1929 and fully drained in 1930. The third, the Noordoostpolder, was not fully drained until 1942. It was an area much used by the Dutch Underground resistance during World War II, as the fresh polder offered numerous hiding places.
Polders of South Holland (3 P) Pages in category "Polders of the Netherlands" The following 4 pages are in this category, out of 4 total.
The Flevopolder is an island polder forming the bulk of Flevoland, a province of the Netherlands. Created by land reclamation, its northeastern part was drained in 1955 and the remainder—the southwest—in 1968. Unlike other major polders, it is surrounded by lakes and below-sea-level channels.
Large canals, called "weteringen", were dug to get rid of the excess water in the polders. However, the drained soil started setting, while the level of the river rose due to the river's sand deposits. Most of the current mills were built in 1738 and 1740 (see below). After a few centuries, an additional way to keep the polders dry was required.
Further drainage could only be accomplished after the development of the polder windmill in the 15th century. The wind-driven water pump has become one of the trademark tourist attractions of the Netherlands. The first drainage mills using a scoop wheel could raise water at most 1.5 m. By combining mills the pumping height could be increased.
Map of the Netherlands in Europe Relief map of the Netherlands in Europe. The geography of the European Netherlands is unusual in that much of its land has been reclaimed from the sea and is below sea level, protected by dikes. It is a small country with a total area of 41,545 km 2 (16,041 sq mi) [1] and ranked 131st.