South Flevoland and Horsterwold

The Landscape

South Flevoland is the fourth and, for now, final polder created as part of the ambitious Zuiderzee Works. The land was reclaimed in 1968 and, with an area of 43,000 hectares, it is the smallest of Flevoland’s polders. It is surrounded by water on three sides, bordered by the Markermeer to the northwest and the Randmeren to the east and south. This former seabed of the Zuiderzee has been transformed into a strikingly diverse landscape. Straight lines and meticulously planned plots define the agricultural areas, where vast fields are framed by tree-lined roads and an orderly network of drainage ditches. At the same time, nature and recreation play a major role here, with green belts and natural zones offering plenty of space to explore and enjoy.

The Horsterwold near Zeewolde is one of the largest contiguous deciduous forests in the Netherlands. Planted on former seabed, this unique forest shows how quickly nature can thrive on newly reclaimed land. The landscape is varied and surprisingly wild, with vast woodlands of poplars, willows, and alders alternating with open grasslands, marshes, and winding creeks. At its heart lies the “Stille Kern” (Silent Core), a quiet zone where nature is largely left to develop freely. Here, Konik horses, red deer, foxes, and countless bird species roam a semi-wild, ever-changing environment.