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Drentsche Aa National Park Geographic Profile, Boundary Map, and Terrain Classification

Examine the geographic characteristics of Drentsche Aa National Park in Drenthe, Netherlands. This data profile provides mapped boundary analysis, extent measurements, and details on local valley, grassland, and heath environments.

Related tags

national parkcultural landscaperiver valleyheathlandesdorp villages

The best-preserved brook and esdorpen landscape in Western Europe

Drentsche Aa National Park

Drentsche Aa National Park is a protected cultural landscape in the Dutch provinces of Drenthe and Groningen, centering on the valley of the Drentsche Aa river. Established in 2002, the park covers approximately 100 square kilometers and represents one of the few remaining nearly intact river systems in the Netherlands. The landscape has remained virtually unchanged since the mid-19th century, as the agricultural consolidation reforms that transformed much of the Dutch countryside in the 20th century were never implemented here. This preservation has saved countless hedgerows, heathlands, and traditionally managed fields known as essen from destruction, making the area the best-preserved brook and esdorpen landscape in all of Western Europe. The park sits on the western side of the Hondsrug, a prominent ridge formed during the Saalien ice age that stretches for 70 kilometers through northern Netherlands.

Location
Netherlands
Park type
National park
Established
2002
Area
100 km²
Drentsche Aa National Park Protected Landscape
Location overview

Regional boundaries and inland location within Drenthe, Netherlands

Geographic Location and Regional Context of Drentsche Aa National Park

Drentsche Aa National Park is located within the Drenthe region of the Netherlands. The protected area is managed as an entirely inland, non-transboundary reserve with no coastal or marine zones.
Countries
Netherlands
Regions
Drenthe
Primary location
Drenthe
Geographic setting
Inland
Boundary and coordinates

Analyzing the spatial footprint and total area of the protected landscape

Drentsche Aa National Park Boundary Map and Geographic Footprint

Mapped boundaries of Drentsche Aa National Park offer essential spatial context for its rural landscape layout. Accompanying metrics define a 100 square kilometer area alongside regional centerpoints and coordinate spans.
Pigeon | © OpenStreetMap contributors
Boundary area
331.2 km²
Boundary perimeter
120.5 km
Northernmost point
53.1888° N
Southernmost point
52.8598° N
Easternmost point
6.8244° E
Westernmost point
6.5399° E
Geographic centre
52.9956° N, 6.6674° E
North–south span
36.6 km
East–west span
19.1 km
Drentsche Aa
Terrain and natural features

Lowland relief and cataloged hydrologic and wetland features

Drentsche Aa National Park Terrain and Named Natural Features

Recorded lowland relief classifications organize the park geography alongside multiple interior streams, rivers, and wetlands. Linked feature cards supply specific names, types, and spatial relationships for each recorded natural element.

Selected named natural features

Wetlands

IJsvereniging Anreep-Schieven

Streams

Andersche Diep

Viewpoints

Belvedere Wetserlandse Lage Landen SBB

Rivers

Taarlosche Diep

Streams

Eischenbroeksche loop

Peaks

Kymmelsberg

12 m

Environmental setting

Temperate lowland terrain featuring valley networks, heath, and partial forest cover

Environmental Setting and Landscape Classifications of Drentsche Aa National Park

Recorded classifications group lowland relief, temperate climate zones, and varied habitat types into complementary dimensions of the physical setting. Connected atlas categories link individual environmental traits to broader protected area records across the region.
Relief
Lowland
Climate
Temperate
Water
Minor water
Forest cover
Partial forest

Landscape features

Valleys

Habitat types

Grassland · Heath

Park atlas

Trace the geographic spread of national parks and protected areas within Drenthe and the broader northern Netherlands.

Discover Other National Parks and Protected Areas Adjacent to Drentsche Aa National Park

Continue your geographic exploration of the Netherlands' protected areas by browsing other national parks and reserves located near Drentsche Aa National Park. This regional overview allows for deeper atlas-style comparison of cultural landscapes, ancient river systems, and unique glacial formations across the Drenthe province and beyond.
Watercolor painting depicting a body of water, trees, and distant hills under a light sky
National parkDrenthe
8.6 km away#1 closest

Southwest

Dwingelderveld National Park: Drenthe's Vast Wet Heathland and Unique Pingo Lakes

Explore a protected landscape of heath, bogs, and ancient geography.

Dwingelderveld National Park represents a significant protected landscape in the Drenthe region of the Netherlands, celebrated as the largest wet heathland in Western Europe. This 37-square-kilometer area provides exceptional opportunities for atlas exploration, revealing a terrain composed of sandy ridges interspersed with waterlogged depressions. The park's defining features include more than forty natural pools, known as vennen, many of which are geologically important pingo-ruins. Discover the rich archaeological heritage, including ancient Celtic fields and burial mounds, all situated within this unique natural setting. MoriAtlas offers a structured view of Dwingelderveld National Park's distinct geography and protected ecological value.

Area
37 km²
Established
1991
IUCN
II
Relief
Lowland
Watercolor illustration of a landscape with green fields, trees, a body of water, and distant hills under a light sky
National parkDrenthe
10 km away#2 closest

Southwest

Drents-Friese Wold National Park: Protected Landscape and Geographic Exploration in Drenthe

Explore unique heathlands, drift-sands, and regional natural geography.

This entry details Drents-Friese Wold National Park, a crucial protected landscape in the Drenthe province. Understand its mapped boundaries, distinctive heath and drift-sand terrain, and its significance as a natural area. Discover the park's regional geographic setting and its role in the broader Dutch landscape atlas, providing context for its unique ecological and historical character.

Area
61 km²
Established
2000
IUCN
II
Relief
Lowland
Watercolor painting of a lake surrounded by green fields and distant mountains.
National parkNetherlands
24 km away#3 closest

Northwest

Lauwersmeer National Park: Mapped Wetland Landscape and Migratory Bird Atlas

Explore protected Dutch Wadden Sea geography and terrain.

Discover Lauwersmeer National Park, a protected wetland in the Netherlands shaped by its post-enclosure transformation. This national park offers a unique glimpse into evolving ecosystems, serving as a vital corridor for migratory birds and showcasing a distinctive flat, open landscape with extensive water and reed environments. Its position within the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site highlights its broader ecological importance. Explore the mapped geography, land-use patterns, and characteristic terrain of this dynamic protected area, known for its natural darkness and diverse avian populations.

Area
60 km²
Established
2003
IUCN
II
Relief
Lowland
Nature reserveLower Saxony
About 28 km away#4 closest

Southeast

Tausendschrittmoor Nature Reserve: Peatland Recovery and Raised Bog Geography in Emsland

A study in protected lowland peatland landscapes and recovery trajectories

Tausendschrittmoor serves as a vital nature reserve in Lower Saxony, protecting a rare pocket of raised bog habitat amidst an agricultural landscape. The reserve features two contrasting habitats: a rewetted western bog and an eastern bog woodland, each illustrating unique patterns of peatland regeneration on the North German Plain.

Area
0.655 km²
Established
1988
Nature reserveLower Saxony
About 32 km away#5 closest

Southeast

Wesuweer Moor Protected Area: A Geographic Overview of Lower Saxony Peatland Landscapes

Raised bog conservation, moor heath, and wetland restoration in Emsland

Wesuweer Moor represents a critical protected landscape in northwestern Germany. This nature reserve serves as a focal point for understanding the geography of raised bogs, documenting the impact of rewetting efforts on former peat-harvesting sites. The area provides essential context for regional moorland ecology, illustrating the distribution of bog woodland, moor heath, and managed drainage systems across the Emsland plains.

Area
4.09 km²
Established
2008
IUCN
IV
Relief
Lowland
Watercolor painting of a wetland scene with a winding river, grassy areas, and distant hills
National parkOverijssel
33 km away#6 closest

Southwest

Weerribben-Wieden National Park: A Premier Lowland Peat Bog National Park in Overijssel

Explore mapped protected wetlands and unique hydrological landscapes.

Weerribben-Wieden National Park stands as a remarkable example of a large-scale lowland peat bog ecosystem, recognized as the most extensive and well-preserved in Northwestern Europe. Located in the Overijssel province, this protected area showcases a complex mosaic of interconnected waterways, expansive reed beds, and marshy woodlands. Our platform provides structured geographic context, enabling detailed map-based discovery of the park's unique terrain and ecological significance as a vital conservation landscape.

Area
105 km²
Established
1992
IUCN
II
Relief
Lowland
Watercolor painting showing coastal wetlands with mudflats, salt marshes, and distant hills under a soft light
National parkLower Saxony
33 km away#7 closest

Northeast

Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park: Protected Coastal Landscape & Geography Atlas

Explore mapped boundaries, intertidal zones, and Lower Saxony's natural terrain.

Delve into the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park, a significant national park situated in Lower Saxony, Germany. This page serves as your atlas entry point for understanding its protected landscape, characterized by vast mudflats, salt marshes, and a crucial role as a migratory bird corridor. Discover the geographic context of this UNESCO World Heritage site and its unique intertidal ecosystem through structured map data and detailed landscape information.

Area
345.8 km²
Established
1986
IUCN
II
Relief
Lowland
Nature reserveEmsland
About 33 km away#8 closest

Southeast

Südliches Versener Moor Nature Reserve: Emsland Peatland Geography and Protected Landscape

A restored raised bog within the International Nature Park Bourtanger Moor-Bargerveen

Located in Emsland, Südliches Versener Moor is a protected nature reserve defined by its history of peat extraction and ongoing rewetting efforts. The area is part of the larger Bourtanger Moor complex, featuring rare remnants of intact raised bog terrain alongside restored peatland zones that highlight regional conservation dynamics in northwestern Germany.

Area
1 km²
Established
1999
IUCN
IV
MoriAtlas Explorer

Continue Exploring Drentsche Aa National Park's Protected Landscape and Geography

Delve deeper into the geographic context and protected-area specifics of Drentsche Aa National Park. MoriAtlas provides structured data to understand its unique cultural landscape, mapped terrain, and its place within the Drenthe region's atlas, facilitating comprehensive discovery of this significant natural and historical site.