Polder

What is a Polder?

A polder is a special piece of land made by people. It is created in places that used to be under water, like old lakes, rivers, or the sea. People build strong walls called dikes around these wet areas. Then, they pump out the water. Once the water is gone, the land can be used for growing food or building homes.

Where Are Polders Found?

Polders are most common in places where the land is very flat and close to water. The Netherlands is famous for its many polders. Some well-known ones there are the IJsselmeer, Beemster, Schermer, Flevopolder, and Noordoostpolder. Other countries with polders include Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, and China.

Keeping the Water Out

Because polders are lower than the water around them, special care is needed to keep the water out. Pumps and small openings in the dikes, called sluices, are used to remove any extra water that might seep in. This helps protect the land and the people who live or work there.

Fun Fact

The word polder comes from the Dutch language. It started from an old word that described land higher than the land around it. Over time, it came to mean the special land made by people to live on.