A tour through 100 years of water pollution in the Groningen Veenkoloniën

The map shown below provides a tour through the history of water pollution in the Veenkoloniën (Peat District) in the province of Groningen in the Netherlands. Click on each marker or the menu links left of the map to view infomration about a specific topic. The markers indicate the approximate location of the industries or events discussed in the information balloons. There are also two map overlays that are operated with the buttons below the map. explanations of the overlays are also provided below the map.

 

Map overlay 1: This map shows the extent of the pollution in Groningen around 1970.

Source: Kleine Bosatlas, 1970.

 

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Map overlay 2: This map of Oude Pekela and surrounding area shows the typical strip reclamation pattern of the Veenkoloniën. These strips are called "wijken" and were reclaimed from a central drainage canal, the Pekelderdiep, on which the houses were centered. From the main canal smaller drainage canals were dug to drain the peat before it was removed.

Source: Gemeente Atlas van Nederland, J. Kuyper 1865-1870.