Wieringermeer

Wieringermeer (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈʋiːrɪŋərˌmeːr] ⓘ) is a polder and former municipality in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland.

The former municipality of Wieringermeer consisted of the following small towns and villages: Kreileroord, Middenmeer, Slootdorp, Wieringerwerf.

Originally the polder was planned after the completion of the Afsluitdijk, but a severe lack of agricultural land meant construction was accelerated, starting in 1927.

On 17 April 1945, during the Second World War, the German occupiers ordered the dike of the Wieringermeer to be blown up: the area was inundated.

No one was killed as the polder slowly submerged again (the inhabitants had been warned), but the high water and a subsequent storm destroyed most of the infrastructure built in the previous decade.

The huge Lely pumping station lies at the southern end of Wieringermeer near Medemblik and keeps the polder dry.