Wunderschön! Waterworld Flevoland - The youngest polders in the Netherlands
Flevoland is young. The youngest province in the Netherlands was only created almost 100 years ago where there used to be over five metres of water. Today, the polder landscape is the largest man-made land area in the world, home to around 400,000 people and also a natural paradise. Andrea Grießmann travels through a region of winding roads and string-straight fields, discovers islands lying on dry land + places with centuries-old North Sea traditions. Flevoland stands for old and new: the city of Almere was built entirely on the drawing board 40 years ago + is an example of modern living. The former island of Schokland, now a World Heritage Site, invites you to travel back in time from the Ice Age to the present day. In many places, Andrea Grießmann finds modern works of landscape art in the middle of nature.
Of course, there is also plenty of space for swimming, sailing and fishing on Flevoland. Deer, cattle and wild horses Oostvaardersplassen on the banks of the freshwater Markermeer lake is the largest natural wetland in the Netherlands. Drained in 1968, an industrial estate was to be built on the polder. But nature was left to its own devices - and turned into a breathtaking bird paradise. Wild horses, deer + Heck cattle also live there. Andrea Grießmann goes on safari with two nature filmmakers who want to make a film about foxes. Almere - a town according to plan Almere lies 30 kilometres from Amsterdam - four metres below sea level.
Around 50 years ago, work began to dike the land, pump out the water + develop a city of the future: Cars, buses and bicycles have their own streets; modern residential towers symbolise the city gates; a residential district has been placed on the roofs of the business centre - with paths and gardens. A dune neighbourhood with piled-up sand + an artificial lake are also a must. An island is born At first glance, Marker Wadden looks like a lunar landscape: made of sand, clay + silt, washed out of the muddy Markermeer by pipeline, a new island world is being created twelve kilometres off the coast and is just coming to life - with plants, birds + fish. A leisure oasis with a marina, beach and hiking trails is also planned here.
Broadcasted on 11th of December 2023 at 05.00pm at 3sat
Music: POPVIRUS Library