Manteling van Walcheren, Nature area in Veere, Netherlands
Manteling van Walcheren is a protected coastal nature area near Veere featuring limestone dunes, wet valleys, grasslands, and deciduous forests. These varied habitats create a patchwork landscape with changing terrain and vegetation.
The area developed through land reclamation and dike construction from the early stages of European coastal development. The coastline shifted several kilometers inland over centuries due to ongoing erosion.
The inner dune areas still show traces of old estates where wealthy merchants from Middelburg laid out gardens in the 17th century. These historical landscapes shape the character of the region today.
The area follows strict guidelines to protect nature and wildlife, including measures to preserve natural darkness after sunset. Visitors should stick to designated paths and respect the conservation rules.
Oak forests grow unusually close to the shoreline here and form a natural forest boundary that sets this region apart from other European coastal areas. This rare arrangement creates its own forest-edge habitat.
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