The Wadden Sea (Frisian: Waadsee, German: Wattenmeer) is a marginal sea between the Wadden Islands and the North Sea on one side and the mainland of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark on the other.
The area stretches between Den Helder in the Netherlands and Esbjerg in Denmark, has a length of 500 km and an average width of 20 km. The area is about 10,000 km², of which about 7,500 km² are tidal areas (mudflats and sandbanks), 1,100 km² are islands and 350 km² are salt marshes and summer polders. The rest consists of shipping canals.
Several rivers flow into the Wadden Sea. The estuary expanded into an estuary such as the Dollart, the Lauwerszee, the Middelzee and the Zuiderzee.
The Wadden Sea has great natural value and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The World Heritage covers more than 12,000 km², including the transition area to the North Sea (approx. 4,000 km²). The Wadden Islands of the Netherlands and Schleswig-Holstein and the estuaries of the Ems, Outer Jade, Weser and Elbe are largely excluded. However, these areas mostly fall under the Natura 2000 regime. The protection measures are coordinated by the International Wadden Sea Secretariat in Wilhelmshaven, in which the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark work together.
The Wadden Sea is not only a nature reserve, but also important for fishing, recreation, mineral extraction and other economic activities.
The Dutch Wadden Sea area was declared state property in 1981 and assigned to the provinces of North Holland, Friesland and Groningen. In 1986 the Wadden Sea was also divided into municipalities.
Fantastic nature and great cycling paths.