Ghent–Terneuzen Canal, Commercial waterway between Ghent and Terneuzen, Belgium-Netherlands.
The Ghent-Terneuzen Canal is a shipping route connecting the Belgian city of Ghent to Terneuzen in the Netherlands. It cuts across flat countryside with wide water surfaces, serving as a major passage for cargo ships moving between inland Belgian ports and the North Sea.
The canal was built in the early 19th century to improve inland navigation between Belgium and the sea. After Belgium's independence from the Netherlands, it took several years before full use of the route was permitted.
The Cluysen-Ter Donck Regatta, held from 1888 to 1954, established the canal as a significant location for competitive rowing events.
The waterway is accessible to large cargo ships and managed by modern locks that control water flow. Visitors can view the canal from the shore, particularly from embankments and paths that run along the banks.
The lock system at Terneuzen is remarkable for how it manages water levels between a river estuary and the open canal, representing a feat of engineering. These locks allow vessels of various sizes to safely pass between the different water levels.
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