De Biesbosch

The National Park De Biesbosch (also Biesbos ) is a nature reserve in the Netherlands. It is with a share of 97 percent in the province of North Brabant and 3 percent in South Holland. Its southern border is the Amer.

History

In the Middle Ages the area was fertile as part of the " Land van Heusden en Altena " pasture. The dikes, which should protect the land and its inhabitants from the water from the rivers and the sea, were poorly maintained and monitored. On November 19, 1421, this part of the Netherlands was hit by a tsunami.

At that time the broad Hollands Diep and the impenetrable swamp " de Biesbosch" emerged ( = bins Forest). The distance to the North Sea was so low that the sea water was allowed to flow at high tide up in the Biesbosch by the tide. The tidal range (difference between high tide and low tide) was only two meters here. The result was a custom to brackish water plant and animal life. Man rushes harvested and later, as a higher part of the area was dry reeds.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the eastern part of this area was reclaimed by diking the water. Aspirations, embank the entire area, however, were thwarted by early conservationists.

During World War II, especially in the winter 1944/1945, the Biesbosch offered shelter for partisans. The almost inaccessible and difficult to controlling area was used for smuggling weapons and stockpiling for resistance fighters.

On the occasion of the storm surge of February 1, 1953, which claimed more than 1,800 lives, the construction of the Delta Works was decided. After completion of the Absperrdamms in Haring Vliet west of the Hollands Diep in 1970 no more salt water from the North Sea could flow in the Biesbosch. The character of the conservation area gradually changed. In order to ensure the drinking water supply of Rotterdam, drinking water basins were created that are filled with purified water Maas.

In 1994, the Biesbosch was declared a National Park. Twelve kilometers west-southwest to reach from Werkendam and from this village lies the Biesboschmuseum, a visitor center.