A small series about the Dutch Polder. The fourth one in the series. De Beemster is a polder and municipality in the Dutch province of Noord-Holland. The municipality has 9,702 inhabitants and has an area of 72.08 km² (of which 2.80 km² of water). Typically for the Beemster are its trees on the ring dikes as can been seen on the image. Around 800, the area that now forms the municipality of Beemster was covered with peat . Beemster is derived from Bamestra, the name of a river in the area. Man exploitation of the peat in combination with storm floods led to the formation of a lake that was in open communication with the Zuiderzee. In 1607 , the States of Holland granted permission to drain the Beemster. 50 polder mills were used for this. In 1610 , when this was almost finished, the lake again filled up as a result of a break in the Zuiderzee dike . It was then decided to make the ring dike so high that it protruded one meter above the surrounding land. On 19 May 1612 the polder was dry and the current De Beemster polder was a fact.
A small series about the Dutch Polder. A lonley race cyclist on it's way through the polder on its bike.
A small series about the Dutch Polder. The fifth in the series. In the polders a lot of farms can be found. Particularly around 1613 the Beemster Polder was mainly colored yellow of rapeseed, saw wheat, barley and oats. It soon became apparent that for the most part the soil was also suitable for livestock farming. The diversity of crops grew over the years and gave this polder the regional, fascinating appearance. Flower fields, fruit trees, meadows with cows, sheep and horses alternate with fields with potatoes, sugar beet and even wine growing. In the greenhouses, flowers strawberries, lilies and irises can be found. All products that find their way far beyond the borders.
A small series about the Dutch polder. This house is behind the dike. It shows very well the difference in height between the drained polder and surrounding land.
A small series about the Dutch Polder. The seventh in the series.

Marco Maljaars

Title: The Dutch Polder

About the Photo:

This is a small series about the Dutch Polder. In particular the ‘Beemster Polder’ which is used in the series. I wanted to express its emptiness, mood and beautiful landscape architecture you can find there. With post processing I wanted to create a surrealistic and peaceful mood. The mood you can feel when you are standing there; in the wind and looking around you.

The Beemster Polder is a small polder, with its typical trees on the dike. The polder exists since 1612 and 50 polder mills were used to drain it. Since 1999 the Beemster Polder is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.