The Weerribben, National Park Weerribben-Wieden.

by Gert Hilbink

The Weerribben is a 35 km² nature reserve in the municipality of Steenwijkerland in the northwest of the Dutch province of Overijssel. It forms part of the National Park Weerribben-Wieden and is largely owned by Staatsbosbeheer. The national park De Weerribben was originally established in 1992. On January 17, 2007 (final in January 2009) the park was expanded to include the nature similar area De Wieden which lies to the south of it and is largely owned by Natuurmonumenten. Together they form the National Park Weerribben-Wieden which covers almost 100 km². Together they form one of the most important wetlands of Europe. In the middle of the nature reserve lies the village of Kalenberg, which until recently lived largely from the cultivation of reeds, as well as the hamlet of Hoogeweg. Along the edge of the Weerribben lie Ossenzijl, Wetering, Scheerwolde, Blankenham, Muggenbeet and the village of Nederland. Kalenberg, Ossenzijl, Wetering and Nederland were originally sailing villages.