FROM THE BEEMSTER TO DUBAI
The geography of the Netherlands is mostly flat; the country sits either below sea level or barely above it. The Netherlands is also located at the mouth of three major rivers: the Rhine, the Meuse, and the Scheldt. Because of this, the Dutch people have always been concerned with the relationships between land and water. This makes a form of science called hydraulic engineering very important to their past, present, and future. Hydraulic engineering is a science that studies the movement of fluids. The most commonly studied fluid is water.
LAND RECLAMATION
The Dutch economy was centered on trade, shipbuilding, and manufacturing. The city of Amsterdam, now the capital of the Netherlands, was the business center of Europe; The Dutch population was growing as a result of this prosperity. As a result of more people to feed, more land was needed for farming.
So in, 1607 Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater, a Dutch hydraulic engineer, began work on draining Beemster Lake, which was located near the city of Amsterdam. Amsterdam merchants paid for the draining of the lake. The process of draining a lake and replacing the lake with a town is called land reclamation. And the lake that is created after the water has been removed is called a polder.
The wealthy Amsterdam merchants hoped that the Beemster polder would be a good investment for several reasons. One, the believed the soil would be extremely fertile and supply the much-needed food for the growing population. Two, the merchants hoped the new land would draw settlers out of the crowded cities, like Amsterdam. And three, they hoped to build themselves country mansions on the polder.
DRAINING THE LAKE
The Beemster Lake was 17,800 acres and its depth ranged between 5.6 to 9.8 feet. To pump the water out of the lake, Leeghwaters plans called for the use of only sixteen windmills. Eventually forty-three windmills were needed in order to keep the Beemster polder dry.
Using a series of dikes, canals, windmills, and drainage ditches, Leeghwater and his team were able to pump all the water out of the lake. And in 1612 Beemster Lake was finally dry. The town of Beemster became the first polder in history to be created using the power of windmills and is the oldest polder in the Netherlands.
BEEMSTER POLDER
On top of the former lakebed, land surveyors laid out the town in the pattern of a precise rectangular grid. This shape was a popular seventeenth-century design. The roads, houses, and canals across the entire Beemster polder were aid out in prefect symmetry. The new Beemster polder was a success. By 1640, less than thirty years after Beemster Lake was first dried, two thousand people had moved onto Beemster Polder.
The reclaimed land was extremely fertile. In fact, the area became internationally known for its quality cows and dairy products. Even today, Beemster Polder is known for its milk and cheese. Beemster cheese is so popular that it is shipped across the world and can even be bought in many grocery stores throughought the US.
DUTCH EXPERTISE
But Leeghwaters goes beyond Beemsters dairy fame. Since the success of the Beemseter polder, the Dutch have been known for their hydraulic engineering capabilities, and they are considered top experts in the field. Entire Dutch companies as well as individual engineers are hired for projects across the globe.
One company, Van Oord is currently in charge of the largest and most famous land reclamation project happening today. This project is the construction of the Palm Islands in Dubai. Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
DUBAIS GROWTH CHALLENGES
Because of its location and many ports, Dubais economy is supported during their Golden Age. Because of its importance to international trade, Dubai is growing in popularity. More and more companies are opening operations in Dubai. This is causing a rise in population and greater demand for food and housing.
But the increase in tourism is the reason for the project, not a need for farmland. Because of Dubais economic success, it has become a popular spot for business travelers and now attracts everyday tourists from across Europe. To solve the problem of not enough space to accommodate a rising population and throngs of tourists, Dubais leader ordered the construction of the Palm Islands. Once complete, these islands will be home to extravagant mansions and hotels for businessmen, and the rich and famous.
To build this new land the engineers of Van Oord will use modern equipment to carry out the techniques developed by their ancestor Jan Leeghwater. Once their project is complete, these Dutch engineers will have created or reclaimed 9,880 acres of land for Dubai. Hopefully for the sheikh, Dubai reclaimed land will be just as profitable as the Netherlandss Beemster Polder.
DISCUSSION OR ESSAY QUESTIONS
The Beemster polder provided more land for the growing Dutch population. The Palm Islands in Dubai will provide land to accommodate an increased population and facilities for tourists. Besides population growth, what are some other similarities between the Dutch traders in the Golden Age and the traders in Dubai today? Why was/is trade so important to both economies?
The soil that was uncovered after the Beemster Lake was dried is found only in that part of the world. This is why Beemster dairy products have always been so special. Why do you think the spill is so different? What are some of the causes for this distinct soil (use internet or library resources to help in your research.)
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