Chapter 10: Western Europe "Delta Plan Project"

Introduction

The Netherlands, located on the North Sea, is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Over the centuries the Dutch have learned how to protect their land and how to reclaim it from the sea. The Delta Plan Project is one of the largest marine engineering projects in the world.

Lesson Description

Students will visit a site that describes the massive Delta Plan Project in the Netherlands. They will read a description of the project and view pictures of the structure. After answering several questions about the project they will write a newspaper editorial on the positive effects of the project.

National Geography Standards:
Standard 4: The geographically informed person knows and understands the physical and human characteristics of places. Standard 14: The geographically informed person knows and understands how human actions modify the physical environment. Standard 15: The geographically informed person knows and understands how physical systems affect human systems.

Instructional Objectives

1. The student will be able to describe the effects of North Sea storms on the people of the Netherlands.
2. The student will be able to describe the Delta Plan Project.
3. The student will be able to describe the positive effects of the Delta Plan Project.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. A huge storm flood from the North Sea swept into the Netherlands and over 2,000 people drowned.
2. The purpose of the Delta Plan Project was to engineer structures to protect the provinces of Zuidholland and Zeeland from future storms.
3. It is a mobile arm that swings out, closing the waterway in the event of dangerous storms. Student descriptions may vary according to the details they chose to describe.
4. The Nieuwe Waterway cannot be closed permanently because it is an important economic link for ships traveling to and from the Port of Rotterdam.
5. Editorials will vary.

  Go to Student Web Activity