Schokland

Schokland and Surroundings
UNESCO World Heritage Site
	The elevation of the former island is clearly visible
Location	Noordoostpolder,Netherlands
Criteria	Cultural: iii, v
Reference	739
Inscription	1995 (19thSession)
Area	1,306 ha
Website	schokland.nl/en/
Coordinates	52°38′03″N5°46′40″E/ 52.634183°N 5.777875°E
	Location of Schokland in Netherlands

Schokland(Dutch pronunciation:[ˈsxɔklɑnt]) is a former island in theDutch Zuiderzee,in the municipality ofNoordoostpolder.Schokland was an elongated strip of peat land which ceased to be an island when the Noordoostpolder was reclaimed from the sea in 1942. It is now just a slightly elevated part of thepolder,with a still partly intactretaining wallof the waterfront of Middelbuurt. On 1 April 2014, it had 8 inhabitants,^[1]but according toStatistics Netherlandsthere are five people living on the former island.^[2]

History

Schokland was an attractive settlement area in theMiddle Ageswhen it was much larger. By the 19th century, it was under continuous threat of flooding due to the rise in sea level. By then the Schoklanders had retreated to the three most elevated parts: Emmeloord, Molenbuurt, and Middelbuurt. A major flood in 1825 brought massive destruction, and in 1859 the government decided to end permanent settlement on Schokland. The former municipality of Schokland was joined toKampenon the mainland.

Today Schokland is a popular archeological site and host to theMuseum Schokland[nl].Schokland was the firstUNESCO World Heritage Sitein theNetherlands.

Public transportation

The nearest railway stations are inKampenandDronten.

Bus service 682 operates from Kampen and serves Schokland.

Church of Schokland at Middelbuurt
Church with sea wall
Church
Glacial erratic.The label on the left stone shows the Dutch for "Stones from Norway".
Church ruins at Ens
Schokland seen from the north
Schokland Museum[nl]houses