Lowlands

Cycling the Dutch Lowlands

‘Netherlands ’ can be translated into German as ‘Nieder Land’, or ‘low lying land’. Water from the low lying polders is drained off via a network of canals and slow flowing rivers. It is finally pumped away into the two main rivers by modern pumping stations. Sometimes the famous old Dutch windmills are still used. You are presented with evidence of this eternal ‘struggle’ with water in the mosaic of fresh green polder pasturelands, and the narrow canals intersected with occasional bridges, and the slow moving river traffic. This is all closely linked to the water management infrastructure including numerous sluices, locks and impressive storm surge barriers. Another highlight of the lowlands is the lake regions where the lakes are clustered together and connected by little canals. Most lakes have been formed as a result of peat extraction over many centuries.