Maps / 3 weeks ago

How the Netherlands copes with living below sea level in a warming world

The Netherlands, for a long time, has had issues with land reclamation and water management. In fact, about 26% of the country’s landmass is below mean sea level. The Netherlands has had issues with land reclamation and water management. In fact, about 26% of the country’s landmass is below mean sea level. For centuries, the Dutch have reclaimed land from the sea using polders (enclosed tracts of drained land) and a complex network of dikes, canals, and pumping stations. The country’s lowest point, the Zuidplaspolder, sits about 6.76 meters below sea level.