Changes

A '''polder''' is an area of land reclaimed from sea or marsh; the term is generally used in connection with reclaimed land in [[the Netherlands]], and to a lesser extent [[Belgium]] and [[Germany]]. The area is reclaimed after a dyke (embankment) has been constructed to surround it, and the water pumped out. The surface level of polderland is generally below sea-level.

A '''polder''' is an area of land reclaimed from sea or marsh; the term is generally used in connection with reclaimed land in [[the Netherlands]], and to a lesser extent [[Belgium]] and [[Germany]]. The area is reclaimed after a dyke (embankment) has been constructed to surround it, and the water pumped out. The surface level of polderland is generally below sea-level.

Polders have been made in the Netherlands since the medieval period - [[Amsterdam]]'s Schiphol Airport is constructed on a polder finally drained in the 19th century - but a major programme of reclamation was begun in the 20th century. A  enclosing dike, the 20 mile long Afsluitsdijk, was built between 1927 and 1933 to close the mouth of the [[Zuider Zee]], turning this former inlet of the [[North Sea]] into a lake. This allowed the construction of several very large polders in the newly formed [[Ijsselmeer]]:

Polders have been made in the Netherlands since the medieval period - [[Amsterdam]]'s Schiphol Airport is constructed on a polder finally drained in the 19th century - but a major programme of reclamation was begun in the 20th century. An enclosing dike, the 20 mile long Afsluitsdijk, was built between 1927 and 1933 to close the mouth of the [[Zuider Zee]], turning this former inlet of the [[North Sea]] into a lake. This allowed the construction of several very large polders in the newly formed [[Ijsselmeer]]:

*Wieringermeer: 1927-1930, 119 square miles

*Wieringermeer: 1927-1930, 119 square miles