Schouwen en Duiveland Island

Schouwen en Duiveland is a former island in the southwestern Netherlands, now part of the province of Zeeland. It is connected to other islands and the mainland by dams and bridges, and no longer retains a true island character. Historically, Zeeland has been defined by its constant struggle against the sea, as reflected in its name ("sea land") and motto, "I struggle and emerge." The province, including Schouwen en Duiveland, was severely impacted by a major flood in 1953, which led to the implementation of the Delta Project to improve flood defenses and connect the islands. Today, the area is characterized by mechanized farming, with significant yields of cereals, potatoes, and sugar beets, alongside dairy cattle, horticulture, and traditional oyster and mussel fisheries.1