Veere, Holland (Netherlands)

The borough of Veere includes a large part of the Walcheren coast and the adjoining countryside. Indeed, its coastline stretches for a length of 34 kilometres, 28 of which consist of beach and dunes and 6, seawall. The central area is mainly agrarian. The coastal areas comprise mainly forests, dunes and beaches. The total area is 13,496 ha with a population of about 22,000. Almost 4 million tourists spend a night in the region each year. It has 25 campsites, 52 hotels and about 3,465 holiday houses. There are also mini campsites 'on the farm'.

Water sports are largely to be found on the Veerse Meer and its marinas. At it's centre is Veere with 4 marinas. There is a golf course and indoor swimming pool in Domburg. There is also a network of tourist bicycle routes throughout the borough. The former artificial island of Neeltje Jans is situated in the centre of one of the world's most impressive technological feats in the field of hydraulic engineering: the Storm Surge Barrier in the Oosterscheldt. The island is still evolving and besides having an interesting landscape in that it is a dune area in evolution, it also has a unique recreational function. In short, there are plenty of good reasons for paying a visit to the borough of Veere.

The Oosterscheldt Storm Surge barrier is not only an impressive piece of technical ingenuity, it is also the best example of the Dutch polder model. After the 1953 floods, the government decided to make the Delta safe. The first leg of operations which started in April 1967, involved the closing of the Oosterscheldt. Protest against complete closure gradually swelled, with the result that operations were brought to a halt in 1974. Plans for a permanent dam were abandoned in favour of a storm surge barrier with doors, instead.

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