Oosterschelde

The Oosterschelde estuary in the delta of the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt in the Dutch province of Zeeland. The course of the Scheldt but was altered by medieval storm surges such that it now flows through the Westerschelde in the North Sea. The Oosterschelde is located between the islands and peninsulas Schouwen- Duiveland and Tholen on the north and Noord- Beveland and Zuid- Beveland on the south.

Flood protection

After the great flood of 1953 Holland extensive dikes and storm surge weirs were created as part of the Delta Works. The Oosterschelde is since around dikes. The water flooded the North Sea as part of the tide by the Oosterschelde storm surge barrier, which is considered a technical wonder of the world of modernity and in an emergency the entire Oosterschelde can seal off the sea. The tide reaches about three meters.

National park

Since 8 May 2002, the entire Oosterschelde is a national park. With an area of about 340 square kilometers, it is the largest area of ​​National park in the Netherlands.

Bridges and canals

Through the Oosterschelde runs from Zierikzee to North Beveland, the longest bridge in the Netherlands, the Zeelandbrug. The channel through Zuid- Beveland is one of two waterways to the Western Scheldt and the port of Antwerp.

Finds

In the Counts in Zierikzee is the Maritime Museum. On the basis of ship models, paintings and a model, it paints a picture of maritime history from the early Middle Ages to today. There are also to see objects that originate from the eastern part of the distant past. A small exhibition dedicated to the local goddess Nehalennia. Five Votivaltare from the beginning of our era are on display that were fished in 1970 from the Oosterschelde. Also the model of a temple dedicated to the Nehalennia is seen. On the second floor fossil bones are on display that came in the networks of mussel fishermen to light. A long time ago there was in Zeeland, among other mammoths, hyenas and deer.