Southwest Fryslân acquired the status of National Landscape through a unique combination of farmlands, nature and cultural history. The watery landscape in the southwest of the province Friesland is a true mosaic of different nature reserves. In the clay and peat area you will find open water with wide reed beds, old hayfield polders, islands with willow forests, flowery farmlands and canals and ditches. Along the coast of the IJsselmeer, meager grasslands, reed marshes, steep cliffs and sand banks and mud flats. In the south the slightly sloping landscape of the Gaasterland with a beautiful variety of woods, open areas and transitions with beautiful vistas.