The Western Scheldt

The Western Scheldt Noord- and Zuid-Beveland lie between the Eastern Scheldt (Oosterschelde) and the Western Scheldt (Westerschelde) — two great waterways with very different histories. Both are part of the Scheldt delta and trace their origins to the River Scheldt, which rises in northern France and flows through Flanders to the North Sea. The Eastern Scheldt formed around the beginning of our era and was for centuries the dominant tidal inlet. The Western Scheldt developed much later, evolving from a small peat river called the Honte, which connected with the Scheldt estuary around the year 1000. From the late Middle Ages onwards, the Western Scheldt grew into a vital shipping route to Antwerp, Ghent and Vlissingen. Deepening of the shipping channel has greatly influenced the landscape and tides. The atmosphere of the two differs markedly. Along the Western Scheldt you experience wide-open views, busy shipping lanes and industrial energy. The Eastern Scheldt is quieter and wilder — and since 2002 a national park, where nature and water still set the pace.