The Dutch Highway That Tames the Sea

The A7 motorway includes the Afsluitdijk, a massive thirty-two-kilometer dam that turned a dangerous saltwater bay into a freshwater lake. It serves as a vital bridge across the water, physically separating the North Sea from the interior.

Completed in 1932, this engineering marvel transformed the geography of the Netherlands by enclosing the Zuiderzee. Driving across the dike feels like traversing the ocean itself because the road is surrounded by water on both sides. This route remains a crucial link for transportation, connecting the provinces while acting as a barrier against North Sea storm surges. It is truly a striking example of humans reshaping the landscape to secure the land.