A significant portion of the Netherlands is located below sea level, with approximately 27% of the country’s land area sinking beneath the water's surface. This geographical feature is the result of the country’s low-lying coastal landscape and its history of land reclamation. The Dutch have constructed an impressive system of dikes, canals, and polders (land reclaimed from the sea) to protect these areas from flooding. These engineering feats allow the Netherlands to continue thriving despite its vulnerability to rising sea levels.

Dutch Expertise in Water Management

The Netherlands’ battle against water is a defining feature of its national identity and has shaped its engineering expertise. The country is renowned for its advanced hydraulic engineering, with the Delta Works and Zuiderzee Works being prime examples of world-class flood protection systems. These massive infrastructure projects have made the Netherlands a global leader in water management, providing valuable knowledge and technologies that are shared with other nations facing similar challenges. The Dutch approach to managing water resources has been crucial in ensuring the country’s continued prosperity and safety, even as the global threat of climate change looms. Shutdown123