As the Dutch saying goes: “God may have created the earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands.” Something they didn’t add? Mountains, or even hills.
For centuries, the Dutch have pumped water out of the surrounding sea to make way for building expansion and agriculture.
Impressive, but sometimes you just need to get high. (No, not that kind of high. 🚬😉)
What is it?
The quintessential windmill and canals you imagine when you think of the Netherlands serve an important purpose: they pump, contain, and manage water flow from the sea to the land.
Since the ocean floor is flat, the resulting Dutch horizon is fairly featureless.
READ MORE | Why is the Netherlands so flat? The complete explanation
The ironed-out landscape lends itself to easy cruising on a bicycle.
You can choose from the hundreds of interconnected trails taking you from town to town or get lost in a field of tulips in the countryside.
However, if you wanted to test your Dutch legs, they have built a mountain specifically for cycling.
Why do they do it?
The Dutch are an innovative people. With a growing population, they decided to make more land for themselves instead of simply finding a new place to live.
(So next time you start making excuses, maybe take a page out of their book.) 😉
Why is it quirky?
Typically, when a society is running short on space, we build up: skyscrapers, apartment complexes, and towers.
But not the Dutch. Instead, they picked a perpetual fight with Mother Nature to keep their civilisation afloat.
In my 4 years in the Netherlands, I missed the mountains. Today I biked in Colorado and I understand why it's nice to live somewhere that's as flat as a pancake sometimes.
— Dr. Giulia Evolvi – also on blue ☁️ (@giuliaevolvi) April 9, 2024
Missing the mountains?
If you are looking to get some vertical perspective, consider a hike up Vaalserberg (322.4 m), a visit to the sand dunes in Zuid-Kennemerland National Park.
If that’s not enough for you, perhaps you can join the cause to build one.
Do you miss the sense of an incline underfoot, or do you prefer the negative altitude? Tell us in the comments below!
Dutch Quirk series is sooo bad. And you keep going…. Completely lost interest in dutchreview
Never mind if there is the odd miserable so-and-so. I think Dutch Quirks are fun and interesting – just like Dutch people.
Yes it’s true Dutch makes Netherland but by the Grace of God.