North and South Beveland

North and South Beveland, two former islands, south-western Netherlands, Zeeland province, strategically located in the Schelde estuary. As part of the massive Delta Project, begun after the disastrous floods of 1953, when more than 1,800 people died, and designed mainly to facilitate flood control in Zeeland, North Beveland (area 91 sq km; 35 sq mi), was linked by a dyke with Walcheren, and South Beveland (area 350 sq km; 135 sq mi) was attached to the mainland. Agriculture, especially the raising of livestock, is the main occupation on both former islands. Goes (population, 1993 estimate, 33,000), on South Beveland, is the main town.