Meinweg National Park

The Dutch National Park De Meineweg is located in the province of Limburg, community Roerdalen, on the border with the Federal Republic of Germany and is part of the cross-border nature park Maas -Schwalm -Nette. It adjoins the villages Vlodrop, Herkenbosch and Melick. The on 8 June 1995 officially recognized National Park has a total area of about 16 km ².

Landscape and Nature

The landscape of the National Park is dominated by pine forests, heaths and moors. The bogs were formed due to the sloping from east to west terracing of the terrain, which is caused by small nests and geological trenches. The two largest bog lakes, called " Vennen " in Dutch, are the " sea elves " and the " Rolvennen " Lake.

In Meineweg area there are still occurrences of the viper and some other species of snakes.

In order to counteract bush encroachment of heathland, allowed to graze in the summer of cattle, sheep and horses in some areas of the park. The sheep are herded cattle and horses, however, are free to move on large, limited by fences and cattle grid areas. These sub- areas of the National Park may not be used by riders, for the rest there to protect the reptile park parts whose paths are blocked for cyclists.

The exhibition in the location at the leading from the border crossing to Germany at Roth Bach to Roermond national road N 570 visitor center of the National Park shows on the natural and cultural history of the area.

History

The heath landscape and silting are also a result of slash and burn, overgrazing and Plagge piercing the sedentary people here have become since the Bronze Age. The name refers to the function as a common ground in the Middle Ages. The residents of 14 surrounding villages took advantage of the area jointly for firewood or as pasture. The infertile sandy soil prevented for a long time a large-scale cultivation. In the Napoleonic period to 1807, the land was transferred to state ownership and divided into long linear plots, which are still recognizable in the way and border demarcation today. Population growth, the use of artificial fertilizers and land consolidation resulted from the late 19th to the mid-20th century to a decline in nature. Pine plantations served the growing high demand for wood for pit mine tunnels in the Aachen area and the Ruhr Area. Since 1879, the tracks of the Iron Rhine through the area. The reactivation of the single-track railway line for freight traffic between Antwerp and the Ruhr is now controversial. The planned coal mining was not economically profitable. In 1962, the Beatrix mine closed shortly before the start of production.

Right on the border to Germany is since 1909 the former Franciscan convent boarding school and the College of St. Louis. The site now uses the Maharishi European Research University, MERU. The Grade II listed convent building was partly destroyed in 2001, and to make way for a new building.

Gallery

Heathland in Meinweggebiet

Meinweg National Park Visitor Center

Information board Meinweg

Spring in the National Park De Meineweg

Autumn in National Park De Meineweg