The Netherlands Coastline Flashcards
What is the problem with the netherlands?
Flat, low-lying country criss-crossed by waterways, is a large delta
What is the only thing that makes the netherlands habitable
dikes
Stats about population
Densely populated, 60% live in 24% of the country thats below sea level
How much of the Netherlands would be flooded without protection?
2/3
Describe the delta
Where Rhine and Maas rivers reach the North sea
What is a Polder?
An area of reclaimed land which is mainly surrounded by dikes
What is a dike
raised banks
How far below sea level can polders be?
can be up to 7m below sea level
What is a problem with polders?
More water enters than can be used or drained so must be pumped into nearest river/sea
How much of the Netherlands consists of polders?
Almost entire west and low north of Netherlands- 50% of total land area
Give an example of the first polder in the Netherlands
The Zuider Zee in the north, closed off since 1932 creating the fresh water Ijssekmeer.
What has happened since Ijssekmeer
4 of the 5 original polders have been built
What is the reclaimed land usually used for?
farming, polder land very fertile and sought after
What is an example of polar land being useful
In Fevoland, yields of potatoes, sugar beet and wheat are among the highest in the country
What happened in the Zuiderzee scheme
closed off from the sea by 30km barrier dam in 1932
