Hollandse Biesbosch, Freshwater tidal wetland in Dordrecht, Netherlands
The Hollandse Biesbosch is a freshwater tidal wetland containing interconnected rivers, willow forests, wet grasslands, and reed beds that create a maze-like landscape. This patchwork of water and vegetation spreads across the national park area.
The area was created in 1421 after the St. Elizabeth flood submerged farmland, transforming the region into the wetland that exists today. That single catastrophic event shaped the landscape as it is now.
During World War II, local resistance fighters used the complicated network of waterways as hiding places and bases for their operations against occupation forces.
The site has three entry points at Drimmelen, Dordrecht, and Werkendam, each with visitor centers offering maps and guidance for different activities. Wear sturdy footwear and bring rain protection, as pathways are often wet and muddy.
The wetland contains more than 100 beaver lodges and is one of the last remaining freshwater tidal areas in Europe. This rare combination attracts white-tailed eagles and other wildlife that seldom find such habitats elsewhere on the continent.
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