Water & nature of the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a country of water, and on this map you fly over its most important rivers, lakes and nature areas. You learn to place large waters like the Rhine, the Waal, the Meuse and the IJssel, alongside the huge IJsselmeer and Markermeer lakes and the special Wadden Sea with its islands Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog.
Besides the big water you also fly past smaller rivers and streams such as the Linge, the Dommel, the Drentsche Aa and the Dinkel, and over nature areas like the Veluwe and the Biesbosch. Watch out for the southwest, where the Oosterschelde and Westerschelde wind between the islands of Zeeland, and for the north, where the Wadden Islands lie like a string of pearls off the coast.
Hop in the helicopter and discover all this water and nature at your own pace — a fun, free way for kids and grown-ups to get to know the watery Netherlands.
▶︎ Play nowFrequently asked questions
What are the most important rivers of the Netherlands?
The most important rivers of the Netherlands are the Rhine, the Waal, the Meuse and the IJssel. The Rhine enters the country from Germany and splits into several branches, including the Waal and the IJssel, before reaching the North Sea through the delta.
What is the largest lake in the Netherlands?
The IJsselmeer is the largest lake in the Netherlands. It was formed when the Afsluitdijk closed off the former Zuiderzee from the sea in 1932. The neighbouring Markermeer is another large freshwater lake, separated from the IJsselmeer by a dike.
Which Wadden Islands belong to the Netherlands?
The five inhabited Dutch Wadden Islands are Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. They lie in a row off the northern coast, separated from the mainland by the Wadden Sea, a shallow tidal area listed as a World Heritage Site.
What is the best way to learn the waters and nature of the Netherlands?
The most fun and fastest way to learn the rivers, lakes and nature areas of the Netherlands is by playing, with the free helicopter in Toponauts. You fly across the map and place each water in the right spot yourself, at your own pace — great for kids and adults alike.