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Biesbosch Biesbosch ("Reed Woods") is one of the largest natural parks of the Netherlands. It is one of the last freshwater tide areas in Europe. The Biesbosch consists of a large network of rivers and smaller and larger creeks with islands. The flora is mostly willow forests, with some grasslands and fields of reed. The Biesbosch was created when polder lands were submerged in the St. Elizabeth flood in the year 1421. Before this, the area was called Hollandsche Waard, cultivated land with a number of villages. After the flood, three areas remained: the Island of Dordrecht to the west, the Land of Altena with the city of Werkendam to the east, and the brackish swamps of the Biesbosch in-between. Before 1970 a connection with the sea existed, and the tidal differences were on average 2 meters. Due to the inflow of the Meuse and Waal rivers fresh water continued to dominate. The tidal differences diminished after 1970 when the Delta Works closed the Haringvliet and with it the Biesbosch's direct connection with the sea. In World War II the area was used to hide out from the German occupation forces in the Netherlands. A resistance group was formed that late in the war captured Germans fleeing from the then Allied-held south of the Netherlands to the north. In winter of 1944 the area was crossed by refugees from the occupied north as well as being used for the smuggle of medicines to the north.
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