The name "Zeeland" points back to the original island kingdom. Almost the entire province (except the dune region) lies at or below sea level. The landscape is a patchwork of polder(s), intersected by creeks and many dikes.
CHARACTERISTICS
The geography of Zeeland has changed dramatically over time. The many smaller islands have gradually grown together to form the larger (peninsular) islands we know today. Other formerly inhabited areas are now under water (including the Drowned Land of Saeftinghe and the Drowned Land of Zuid-Beveland).
It is a true estuary area with large estuaries of rivers where tidal action is strongly present. This tidal area is characterized by salt marshes, mud flats, plates and gullies.
Due to the many damming by the Delta Works in the second half of the 20th century, most estuaries changed into estuaries (such as the Eastern Scheldt), and lakes (such as the Veerse Meer and Grevelingen). The Westerschelde is still a true estuary and gateway to the world ports of Antwerp and Ghent (North Sea Port).
ORIGIN
During the last ice age, Zeeland was largely a sandy polar desert, which after the end of the ice age, under the influence of rising sea levels, slowly changed into a peat swamp. The advancing sea then also drowned this marsh and turned Zeeland into a tidal area about 6300 years ago.
Through reclamation and draining of the peat, after the Roman Period the sea got hold of the area and the island kingdom developed which formed the basis for today's Zeeland. About 1000 years ago, diking of the higher salt marshes began and the constant struggle and life against and with the water began.
SALTY & SWEET
Mussels, sea lavender, samphire,... See all of Zeeland's sting products and dishes via this link.
LOCATION
Zeeland is a province in the southwestern part of the Netherlands, and consists of a number of peninsulas that were once separate islands. The south of Zeeland borders Flanders and is therefore called Zeeuws-Vlaanderen (Zeelandic Flanders).
Zeeland. Immeasurably beautiful. A walhalla for water sports and nature lovers. But also for sun lovers. Or Burgundians. Here you have everything. Take in the smell of the sea and unwind. We are happy to welcome you. What are you in the mood for?
The development of a tidal zone is a continuous process, with channels being eroded and slabs, mudflats and salt marshes being raised with sediment by the tide. But not all slabs and mudflats are eventually raised into salt marshes. Gullies shift and can re-sand previously formed slabs, mud flats and even salt marshes. The tide can rework the outer dike areas many times in this way. An area that is constantly in motion and which requires a lot of steering skills for the large ocean-going vessels that pass through the Western Scheldt.
The west of Zeeland is characterized by the North Sea coast. Here there are high dunes and beautiful beaches. It is mainly this coast that attracts many tourists and recreationists to Zeeland. But this definitely ignores the many beautiful things to see and experience throughout the region.
Due to the many transitions from fresh to salt, high to low, sand to clay and due to the tides, Zeeland has a rich variety of natural areas and landscapes. To the south in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen lies a beautiful transitional landscape to the sandy areas of Flanders. Here are also the many forts and lines from the Eighty Years' War, the State-Spanish Lines.
Zeeland is an area for water sports, cycling and hiking. The cuisine, consisting of a rich variety of salty products such as oysters, mussels and Eastern Scheldt lobster and the many products from the fertile fields of Zeeland can be enjoyed with a good wine from the chalky and sun-drenched soils of the island of Schouwen-Duiveland.
