North Beveland

North Beveland is connected to the mainland by three dams and a bridge. To the north of North Beveland lies the Oosterschelde, to the south is the Veerse Meer. The island is completely flat and lies only 1 meter above sea level. North Beveland is one of the least populated areas of the Netherlands.

After a major storm surge in 1014, the first dikes were constructed and the terps were raised. After the great storm surge of 1134, North Beveland was diked. A storm surge on November 5, 1530 (the St. Felix flood) flooded all of North Beveland, and the All Saints’ flood (1532) swept away all buildings. Only the church towers of Kortgene and Wissenkerke still protruded above the water.

In 1598, North Beveland was partially reclaimed again. The villages of Colijnsplaat and Kats were established. Wissenkerke followed in 1652, Geersdijk in 1668, and in 1684 the rest of North Beveland was reclaimed. A new ship was built at the church tower of the old Kortgene. The population of North Beveland came from other parts of Zeeland, but also from Flanders, Holland, Brabant, Limburg, and even from Germany, France, England, Scotland, and Switzerland.

Motorrijder