Zeeland

Province of southwest Netherlands, consisting of five islands lying in the Schelde river estuary, and the region north of the Belgian province of East Flanders; area 1,790 sq km/691 sq mi; population (1997) 368,400. The capital is Middelburg. There are shipbuilding, engineering, and petrochemical industries. There is livestock raising, dairying, and cereals and potatoes are grown.

The province is mostly below sea level, protected by a system of dykes. The soil is fertile. The islands of North and South Beveland, and Walcheren are in the Schelde estuary. The Delta Project, a series of barrages, links all the islands. Towns include Vlissingen.

The region was disputed by the counts of Flanders and Holland during the Middle Ages. It was annexed to Holland in 1323 by Count William III.

Zeeland

Town in Ottawa County, west Michigan; population (1990) 5,400. It is located 34 km/21 mi southwest of Grand Rapids. The surrounding area raises poultry, livestock, vegetables, grain, corn, and dairy cattle. Like the town of Holland, to the southwest, Zeeland was settled by the Dutch in the mid 19th century. The town has several light industries.