The Dutch landscape

Tradition of designing the land

Approximately half of the Netherlands lies less than a metre above sea level. Over the centuries the Dutch people protected themselves and their land against water by constructing dikes and other protective barriers. New land was also created through empoldering and pumping out water. As a result, the Netherlands developed a strong tradition in designing the landscape. This is still visible in the Dutch landscape we see around us today.

The following images from the VPRO television series ‘Nederland van Boven’ (The Netherlands from above) give an impression of the current Dutch landscape.