The very largest reclamation project in the world
History of Flevoland
Flevoland's history is unique. It is the largest reclamation project in the world. Unbelievable that 100 years ago there was only sea here, the Zuiderzee. With little islands here and there, like Schokland and Urk. Dry land surrounded by water. On the islands and on the mainland, people knew: the sea gives and the sea takes. The damage was not limited to the ships at sea. The land also suffered.
Control - of the water
A revolutionary idea
For centuries, the waters of the Zuiderzee dominated the lives of people in and around the area. But in the 17th century, the roles turned.
Hydraulic engineers started looking at the then Zuiderzee with hungry eyes. Hendric Stevin, hydraulic engineer came up with the idea of damming up the Zuiderzee. He wanted to build a dyke from the head of North Holland past the Wadden Islands to the Groningen sea dykes. A revolutionary idea
It was not until the 19th century that plans were on the table that were technically and financially feasible. Here, the Zuiderzee Vereeniging in particular played a very important role. This association had earlier assumptions of the engineers Van der Toorn and Lely examined on their merits and looked at whether the plans were feasible.
Zuiderzee Society - and the Zuiderzee Act
Flood disaster and Zuiderzee Act
Public attention to the plans grew to great heights when the 1916 flood disaster caused much disaster. Something the Zuiderzee Vereeniging cleverly capitalised on. The result was there. On 14 June 1918, the Zuiderzee Act (Wet tot afsluiting en droogmaking van de Zuiderzee) was a fact.
Biggest reclamation project of all time
A beginning of the reclamation of Flevoland was made in 1924. First, the Zuiderzee was closed off with the 2.5-kilometre-long Amsteldiepdijk between the mainland of North Holland and the island of Wieringen. Then the Afsluitdijk was constructed, a dyke between Wieringen and mainland Friesland. It seemed an impossible job, building a dyke in the middle of the sea. But by 1932, the job was done and the IJsselmeer was created.
Urk - Island off
First IJsselmeerpolder
The Northeast Polder became the first true IJsselmeer polder. On 3 October 1939, Mayors Keijzer of Urk and Krijger of Lemsterland shook hands on the hole in the dike that had closed minutes before. Urk was no longer an island. An emotional moment for Urks.
Official Flevoland - 12th province
Construction of Eastern and Southern Flevoland
After the Northeast Polder, workers started building Eastern Flevoland. This polder had to accommodate the population of the overcrowded Randstad. The cities in North and South Holland became so full that new land was needed for housing and recreation.
The prosperous Eastern Flevoland (1957) was soon followed by Southern Flevoland (1968). On 1 January 1986, Flevoland officially became the newest and 12th province of the Netherlands.
The Flevopoldercast - The Flevoland archive
Flevoland's historical treasures
In this podcast from Het Flevolands Archief, we talk about Flevoland's special history, and what historical treasures can be found in our depot.
Go to the podcast here