1.6 The Netherlands below sea level

• Aardrijkskunde
• Middelbare school
• vmbo t, mavo, havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

1.6 The Netherlands below sea level

Learning goals

- You understand how the landscapes  in the Low Netherlands originated.

- You know what measures have been taken to protect areas against water.

- You can recognise landscape features of the Low Netherlands on a topographical map and in photos.

West Netherlands

Peat

- Spongy soil type

- (Under) water

- Consists of plant remains.

Peat

In the west of the Netherlands, a lot of peat has been dug up to dry (turf) and use as fuel

West Netherlands

Peat dug up = peat (turf)

Peat (turf) = used as fuel

Digging peat --> lakes

Lakes drained for:

agricultural land and pastures

North Netherlands

Outside the dyke

In the North of the Netherlands we have tidal flats (parts that dry out at low tide).

At low tide you can walk over them, at high tide you can sail over them. The sea sediments through here.

Sedimentation

On the outer side of the dyke (sea side) sedimentation continues.

The area that is created is called a salt marsh.

-> Can you dyke around

Protection against water

Terps (mound)

Man-made elevation as protection against water.

Made of manure/clay/waste

+/- 2 meters high

Residential hills

- Terps - terp villages

- Dike villages

Polders

Surrounded by dykes

Regulating water level

Pumping station (drainage)

Pump to drain polders

Reclaimed lake floors

A polder is a polder where there used to be a lake, is now often used as agricultural land. Flevoland is a polder.