CITY
Both the river Ijssel and the black water flow in a north westerly direction into the Isell Meer or lake which is about 25 miles to the North west, and from there into the North Sea.
The City is one of 7 Hanze towns that are rich in history, dating back to the Middle ages, when together they formed a sort of early European union, using their waterway connections to trade with the rest of early europe.
Today, Zwolle has retained much of it's medieaval character with it's narrow streets, historic waterfront, medieaval churches and several museums. the town centre itself lies on an island and boaststwo modern Shopping centres, several modern industrial parks, 2 cinema's, and a theatre as well as several theme parks nearby. The city is surrounded by a ring of canals which formed the original city moat and many of the old fortifications such as the Sassenpoort (gate) pictured right are still visible.
The former Zuider Zee has now been drained and the sea bottom has been reclaimed for mainly agricultural use. This land known as a polder has many new cities and towns built in it such as Zeewolde, Harderwijk, Almere and Lelystad all of which are on or close to either the ijssel or the veluwe meer's.
The Dutch national Park, Known as the Veluwe stands on the opposite bank of the Ijssel to the City, and is highly regarded as a site of interest full of wild life.
In the polder itself, which forms Hollands newest province or county, Flevoland, are a number of major attractions, such as the Famous roller coaster capital of Europe, SIX FLAGS, the dolphinarium at Harderwijk, and the timber built working replica of the old East India Company sailing ship, the "BATAVIA" in the harbour at Lelystad.
There is also in the Polder the Naturist Park, Flevo Natuur which is in Naturist circles regarded to be the Biggest and best in Western Europe.
