Wetlands
A comprehensive analysis of landscape features, habitat distribution, and regional dimensions.
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.
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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
Regional boundaries and inland location within Drenthe, Netherlands
Geographic Location and Regional Context of Drentsche Aa National Park
- Countries
- Netherlands
- Regions
- Drenthe
- Primary location
- Drenthe
- Geographic setting
- Inland
Analyzing the spatial footprint and total area of the protected landscape
Drentsche Aa National Park Boundary Map and Geographic Footprint
- 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
Lowland relief and cataloged hydrologic and wetland features
Drentsche Aa National Park Terrain and Named Natural Features
Selected named natural features
Streams
Andersche Diep
Viewpoints
Belvedere Wetserlandse Lage Landen SBB
Rivers
Taarlosche Diep
Streams
Eischenbroeksche loop
Peaks
Kymmelsberg
12 m
Temperate lowland terrain featuring valley networks, heath, and partial forest cover
Environmental Setting and Landscape Classifications of Drentsche Aa National Park
- Relief
- Lowland
- Climate
- Temperate
- Water
- Minor water
- Forest cover
- Partial forest
Landscape features
Valleys
Habitat types
Grassland · Heath
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
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
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.
