Neeltje JansEdit
Neeltje Jans is an artificial island in the Oosterschelde estuary off the coast of Zeeland in the Netherlands. It sits at the heart of the Delta Works, a comprehensive program of flood defenses designed to protect the densely populated and economically important western Netherlands from North Sea surge. The island has long functioned as a logistical hub for the construction of the Oosterscheldekering, the storm-surge barrier that is the centerpiece of the Delta Works, and today hosts visitor facilities that interpret the engineering achievement and its ongoing role in regional resilience.
As a physical and symbolic site, Neeltje Jans embodies a pragmatic approach to risk management: build large-scale infrastructure to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and the engine of a coastal economy, while also turning the site into an educational and tourism asset. The evolution of Neeltje Jans—from a staging ground for major engineering works to a place where people learn about flood defense and maritime science—reflects broader debates about how best to protect coastlines, balance ecological concerns, and steward public resources. The island is linked to a number of related topics, including the broader Delta Works program, the nature of the Oosterscheldekering, and the environmental and economic consequences of large-scale flood defenses.