Netherlands mapcard from Postcrossing

NL-685225

The Netherlands' name literally means " Low Countries ", influenced by its low flat land and geography, with only about 50% of its land exceeding one meter  above sea level .  Most of the areas below sea level are man-made. Since the late 16th century, large areas ( polders ) have been  reclaimed from the sea and lakes, amounting to nearly 17% of the country's current land mass.