Walcheren
Island in Zeeland province, the Netherlands, in the estuary of the River Schelde; area 200 sq km/80 sq mi. The capital is Middelburg. Industries include shipbuilding, engineering, and petrochemicals. There is dairying, and sugar beet and root vegetables are grown.
| The island is flat and for the most part below sea level; there are many dykes. Towns and cities include Vlissingen and Veere. |
| A British force seized Walcheren in 1809; after 7,000 of the garrison of 15,000 had died of malaria, the remainder were withdrawn. It was flooded by deliberate breaching of the dykes to drive out the Germans 1944–45, and in 1953 by abnormally high tides. |
| Its motto is Luctor et emergo (I struggle and emerge). |
