WATER COUNTRY: There is never a moment when the weight and the tempestuous nature of the sea surrounding the Netherlands is not felt. One quarter of this geographically low-lying country lies below sea level. 60% of its population resides in these regions. To add to this water challenge, the Netherlands is basically a vast river delta formed by such European watersheds as the Rhine, Maas and Scheldt rivers. Over the centuries the Dutch coastline has changed considerably as the result of natural disasters and human intervention. To date, the relationship between land and sea has been preserved through an elaborate systems of integrated canals and dikes which are closely supervised by an elected government organization charged with overseeing this infrastructure.
We were most impressed by our 30km ride across the Afsluitdijk, which separates Ijseel Lake from the North Sea. Completed in 1933, it protects 2,500 square kilometers of reclaimed land from the sea. It is illustrated here alongside the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel in Virginia, USA, near John's home. Tomorrow we will touch the North Sea and our crossing from the Mediterranean will be complete.
We were most impressed by our 30km ride across the Afsluitdijk, which separates Ijseel Lake from the North Sea. Completed in 1933, it protects 2,500 square kilometers of reclaimed land from the sea. It is illustrated here alongside the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel in Virginia, USA, near John's home. Tomorrow we will touch the North Sea and our crossing from the Mediterranean will be complete. 
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