Neeltje Jans, Construction island and amusement park in Zeeland, Netherlands
Neeltje Jans is an artificial island in the Oosterschelde waters in Zeeland province that functions as a leisure park and information center. The site includes a public aquarium, exhibition spaces about flood defense, and water play areas spread across the grounds.
Engineers built the island in the 1970s as a working base for constructing the Oosterscheldekering, one of the largest storm surge barriers worldwide. After construction finished in the 1980s, the site opened to the public and gradually transformed into a leisure park.
The name comes from the cargo ship Neeltje Jans that was moored at the site during construction and gave its name to the project. Visitors today still see parts of the original construction infrastructure woven into the park grounds and exhibitions.
The facilities suit families with children and sit directly beside the Oosterscheldekering barrier, reached by an access road. Weatherproof clothing is advisable, as wind and water shape the island climate.
The island served as a stage finish for the Tour de France in 2015, with cyclists riding over the barrier structure. Seals and sea lions live in pools filled with salt water from the Oosterschelde, giving the animals natural living conditions.
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