Chapter 11, Student Web Activities, Glencoe World Geography, Glencoe, 2003

Chapter 11: The Physical Geography of Europe
"The Delta Plan Project"

Introduction
Most of Europe lies within 300 miles of a seacoast. The Netherlands, located on the North Sea, is one of the most densely populated countries in the world-yet about 25 percent of the country lies below sea level! Over the centuries the Dutch have learned how to protect their land and how to reclaim it from the sea. The Delta Plan Project is one of the largest marine engineering projects in the world.

Destination Title: The Delta Plan Project

Directions
Start at the Delta Plan Project Web site.

Scroll down the page, taking notes as you read.
After you have browsed the information, answer the following questions.

1. What disaster occurred in 1953?

2. What was the purpose of the Delta Plan Project?

3. After studying the pictures and reading about the plan describe the weir that is the major part of the project.

4. Why was it necessary for the weir to be mobile?

5. After browsing through this site, pretend that you are an editor for one of the Netherlands' major newspapers. Write an editorial describing the positive effects of the Delta Plan Project.