accustomed to: used to
tirelessly: without tiring; for long hours
surge barrier: man-made protection built to keep the sea from flooding onto the land
valve: a device that opens and shuts; changes the direction of fluid
“Netherlands” Means Low-Lying Lands
Did you know that the word “Netherlands” means low-lying lands? The Dutch are accustomed to flooding, because much of their country is located below sea level. They have worked tirelessly for hundreds of years to become experts at flood protection. The first dikes were built over 2,000 years ago. Windmills were added to pump water off the soil. These early efforts did little to save lives when massive storms rolled in. In 1953, a major storm hit the Netherlands, killing close to 2,000 people, and causing a major blow to the economy. The government decided to fight back by pumping a lot of money into the construction of flood protection devices. Dams were dug in the river mouths, and a massive, moveable surge barrier was built. The barrier is normally left open, but valves can also be closed to create the effect of a dam during a storm. The North Sea Protection Works is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
