Walcheren Island
| Walcheren | |
|---|---|
| Former Island | |
 |
|
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | Zeeland |
| Municipality |
Middelburg Veere Vlissingen |
| Population (2003) | 113.546 |
| Postal code | 4330-4399 |
| COROP | Walcheren |
| Major roads | A58, N57, Zeeuwse lijn |
Walcheren is a former island in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands at the mouth of the Scheldt estuary. It lies between the Oosterschelde in the north and the Westerschelde in the south and is roughly the shape of a rhombus. The two sides facing the North Sea consist of dunes; the rest of its coastline is made up of dykes. Middelburg lies at its centre; this city is the provincial capital and Vlissingen 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) to the south is the main harbour. The third municipality is Veere.
Originally, Walcheren was an island, but polders and a dam across the Oosterschelde have connected it to the (former) island of Zuid-Beveland, which in turn has been connected to the North Brabant mainland.
As early as Roman times, the island functioned as a point of departure for ships going to Britain; it had a temple of the goddess Nehalennia who was popular with those who braved the waters of the North Sea. The Romans called it "Wallacra", a term most likely associated with Walha, the name Germans used for all foreign peoples.
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Wikipedia