Monday 11 July 2011

that's My World, ABC Wednesday, Z for Zeeland





Zeeland also called Zealand in English , is a province of the Netherlands. The province, located in the south-west of the country, consists of a number of islands (hence its name, meaning "sea-land") and a strip bordering Belgium. Its capital is Middelburg. With a population of about 380,000, its area is about 2930 km², of which almost 1140 km² is water. Large parts of Zeeland are below sea level. The last great flooding of the area was on January 31, 1953. I was a student at that time and I was asked to help cleaning houses in Zierikzee in August. We worked there with a lot of students from all over the world.

Tourism is an important economic activity. Its sunny beaches make it a popular holiday destination in the summer. Most tourists are Germans. In some areas, the population can be two to four times higher during high summer season. The coat of arms of Zeeland shows a lion half-emerged from water, and the text "luctor et emergo" (Latin for "I struggle and I emerge"). The Pacific nation of New Zealand is named after Zeeland . The first Europeans who landed in New Zealand were the Dutchman Abel Tasman and his crew. Abel Tasman is responsible for naming this nation New Zealand. Captain Cook came there in 1769.

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With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar or

Here. This week we are looking for words beginning with Z.

32 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

So why is a British commonwealth country named for a section of the Netherlands?

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

The Weaver of Grass said...

What a lovely tour of the Netherlands on your slide show Wil - I really enjoyed it.

Vagabonde said...

Des jolies photos d’une région que j’aimerais bien visiter.

Gattina said...

I know this region very well, I have a girlfriend her father has bought an old fisherhouse in th 70th completely renovated and it's now the holiday place for the whole family it's in Camperland. I have a post on my travel blog about Veere.

Sylvia K said...

I always love the interesting, informative tours you take us on, Wil!! Love the slide show and the history! Hope you have a wonderful week!!

Sylvia

Kay said...

It must be scary to know they are living below sea level. I always think of New Orleans. It's a beautiful part of your country though, Wil. I've never heard of Zeeland.

Jim said...

Excellent.

Al said...

Now that brings back some childhood memories - nice shots!

Arkansas Patti said...

I really enjoyed the slide show Wil and as always I explanded my knowledge by visiting you.
The coat of arms is so appropriate. It exemplifies the hardships and the strength of the peoples.

genie said...

Your slide show was fabulous. Loved seeing all of the boats, the scenery, the architecture...a real treat for the eyes. Thanks for putting it all together for us to enjoy. You certainly live in a gorgeous part of the world. Genie

Smart Mouth Broad said...

I miss you. Hugs!

PS. I love your header!

George said...

Thanks for the information and the beautiful views of Zeeland.

Indrani said...

Beautiful presentation with the slideshow. Nice place to holiday.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

won't History have been different if Abel Tasman remain in NZ?

Dianne said...

I love seeing these little snippets from far away places!
Thank you Will and have a wonderful and safe week.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

hehehe, may be Aotearoa will be under the Dutch, and you could be my neighbour right now, and not half a world away. Then of course, I won't come to NZ.

Karen said...

Very interesting, and I always wondered how NZ got it's name.

Joyful said...

I recently spent a bit of time in Amsterdam so it was nice to see other parts of the country.

Kay L. Davies said...

Wonderful post for the letter Z, Wil. You explained everything (including the answer to Roger's question) very clearly.
Of course you remember the cruise I was on, when I met you in Kinderdijk. Well, there was also a tour of Middleburg during the cruise, but I wasn't feeling well, so I lost my chance to see Zeeland. Thank you for teaching me about it now!
Luv — K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Chubskulit Rose said...

Interesting Z.

Zoning the ABC, please come and see.

Shooting Parrots said...

The BBC tv programme, Coast, covered Zeeland recently and it looked a fascinating place. Didn't Einstein live there for a short time?

Tumblewords: said...

Gorgeous slides and wonderful narrative. A lovely trip!

Hildred said...

Beautiful slide show. The story of the boy who kept his finger in the hole in the dyke has stayed with me all my life and somehow represented for me the courage of the Netherlands. Would that have been in Zealand?

Live2cherish said...

great pics.Added new place to my wishlist.

Leslie: said...

A beautiful, picturesque slideshow - I really enjoyed seeing the countryside.

Leslie
abcw team

MERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author... said...

Loved your slide show and great information. I have been to both Zealand's each with its own, awesome beauty and charm.

Lisa said...

And it's a lovely world you live in! Thank you for the tour. I never knew it was so beautiful.

EG CameraGirl said...

Sounds like a near-perfect place to live!

Cloudia said...

dank u


You always teach me much about the world,
and about life itself. You have enriched my life, Wil. Thank You


Aloha from Waikiki;

PS: My new blog posts are still not updating in blogger/reader OR links on others' blogs
but I'm still posting! :(

Comfort Spiral

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Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

I never knew! Zeeland? Really? It's funny how I've gone through most of my life without ever once hearing this place. Thank you for the photo tour-it looks charming!

Chloe m said...

I didn't realize that New Zealand was named after Zeeland. Good info and thanks for sharing!

Marja said...

Nice pictures and interesting information. A petty that Abel Tasman didn't stay otherewise we might have spoken dutch overhere lol