Delta Works, Netherlands

The Delta Works at Netherlands is the world’s largest flood protection project. The constructions built in the southwest of the Netherlands to avoid the sea from 1950 to 1997 consist of dikes, sluices, dams and storm surge barriers.

The purpose of these constructions was to decrease the Dutch coastline and to increase the height of the dam. The dikes are over 10,250 miles with 300 structures. The Civil Engineers of the American Society has declared this project as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

Location

The Delta Works Project is located at South west of Netherlands.

Historical Importance

Since the estuaries of the rivers Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt were flooding, the Dutch planned to construct a dam for the Rhine-Meuse Delta to shorten the coastline and to get the freshwater lakes from the estuary. Even after the construction of two small estuary mouths, the Brielse Gat near Brielle and the Botlek near Vlaardingen, the North Sea Flood of 1953 killed more than1,800 lives. In order to overcome such disasters a new solution called ‘Delta Works’ was planned.

The Delta plan consisted of blocking the estuary-mouths of the Oosterschelde, the Haringvliet and the Grevelingen which reduced the exposes of the dykes to the sea nearly 400 miles.  Along with waterways the dikes were to be heightened and strengthened.

The plans for Delta Works at Oosterschelde and Westerschelde are currently in force being initiated in 1996. These plans are expected to end in 2015. Still there is over 400 km of dikes which requires to be strengthened.

The Oosterschelde, is one of the largest Delta Works among 13 dams.

Brielsegatdam (1950)
Stormvloedkering Hollandse IJssel (1958)
Zandkreekdam (1960)
Veersegatdam (1961)
Grevelingendam (1965)
Volkerakdam (1969)
Haringvliet sluices (1971)
Brouwersdam (1971)
Markiezaatskade (1983)
Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier (1986)
Oesterdam (1987)
Philipsdam (1987)
Bathse Spuisluis (1987)
Hartelkering (1997)
Maeslantkering (1997
Nearby attractions
Anne Frank House

The museum is dedicated to the memory of Anne Frank whose famous diary describes the experiences of a Jewish teenager during World War II recorded over a period of two years. The original diary is on display as part of the permanent exhibition apart from many temporary exhibits that focus on related issues.

Van Gogh Museum
The museum has a permanent display of several hundred of the artist's paintings and drawings based on three criteria.

the work of Vincent van Gogh, which is divided into five notable periods
the work of other artists including those of his friends and contemporaries
the showcase of the museum's history recording its progress

Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum opened in 1885 is best known for its collection of 17th century Dutch Masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Steen.

Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art
This museum traces the development in art of the second half of the 20th century, displaying the most impressive collections of modern art in Amsterdam.

Rembrandt House
This museum offers an insight into the life and times of the famous painter called Rembrandt who lived in this place between 1639 and 1658 at the height of his career.

Amsterdam Historic Museum
The Historical Museum explores Amsterdam's development from a small medieval settlement along the river into a thriving modern city.

Red Light District (De Wallen)
This place of the city is chaotic with throngs of tourists jostling for space alongside city slickers, pimps and drug dealers. The prostitutes of De Wallen are part of a legal and regulated industry that includes compulsory health checks and taxable income.

Lord in the Attic (Museum Amstelkring)
This Catholic Church is a reminder of the Alteration period in Holland.

Dutch Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum)
This museum provides a fascinating insight into the activities of the Dutch Resistance Movement during World War II.

Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis)
The Royal Palace is the official Royal residence and is mainly used for functions.

Maastricht
Maastricht is the oldest city in the Netherlands, peacefully perching on the banks of the Maas River with one of the sunnier spots. It is located at Holland's southernmost
point, squeezed in between the Belgium and German borders.

International Court of Justice
The Peace Palace is situated in The Hague housing the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration and The Hague Academy of International Law.

Waterland Neeltje Jans
The famous Delta Works can be seen from this spectacular water park filled with marine animals, apart from the attractions of storm surge barrier, Delta Expo, a waterslide and water playground, whale world exhibition and a hurricane simulator.

Royal Delftware Factory
The Royal Delftware Factory (Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles) is the only remaining earthenware factory in Delft dating back to the 17th century.