Dikes and Polders

How one-third of the Netherlands was created.

Dutch Waterboards

A unique self-governing institution that regulates the level of water in land below sea level. The oldest political organization in the Netherlands, it corresponds to land irrigated by the same water, and not political divisions. A short history is also available.

Windmills:The most famous feature of the Dutch countryside, used for pumping water out of polder land.  Loads of windmills

Below, the area of the Rotterdam polders mapped by Cruickshank. Many of the boundaries are still used today.


View Dutch Polder Map for Delft in a larger map
Close Menu