| Zwin | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Interactive map of Zwin | |
| Location | Belgian–Dutch border |
| Nearest city | Knokke-Heist,Sluis |
| Coordinates | 51°21′50″N3°21′12″E / 51.36389°N 3.35333°E /51.36389; 3.35333 |
| Area | 1.58 km2 (0.61 sq mi) |
| Established | 1952 |
| www | |
| Designated | 4 March 1986 |
| Reference no. | 328[1] |
TheZwin (Dutch pronunciation:[zʋɪn]) is anature reserve at theNorth Sea coast, on theBelgian–Dutch border. It consists of the entrance area of a former tidalinlet which during theMiddle Ages connected the North Sea with the ports ofSluis andBruges inland.
The Zwin inlet was formed originally by a storm that broke through the Flemish coast in1134,[2] creating a tidal channel that reached some 15 km inland and was also connected, through another channel, to the mouth of theScheldt further north-east. The new waterway offered access to the sea to the inland city ofBruges, which consequently rose to become one of the foremost medieval port cities of Europe. The towns ofDamme,Sluis andSint Anna ter Muiden were also located on the Zwin. However, from the late 13th century onwards, the channel was affected by progressivesilting, which from around 1500 caused the waterway to become unusable and cut off the harbour of Bruges from the sea.
The present-day nature reserve was founded in 1952. It has an area of 1.25 square kilometres inKnokke-Heist,Belgium and 0.33 square kilometres inSluis,Netherlands. It is famous for its large variety in salt-resistantflora, such assea lavender. It is also popular with bird watchers. There is a smallzoo with some major domestic birds and it is one of the few places in Belgium with a population ofwhite storks.[2]
In March 1986 it was declared aWetland of International Importance.[3]
TheBattle of Damme was fought on 30 May and 31 May 1213. The success of the English raids ended the threat of a French invasion of England.
TheBattle of Sluys was a sea battle fought on 24 June 1340 as one of the opening conflicts of theHundred Years' War between England and France.
During theEighty Years' War between theDutch Republic andSpain, theBattle of Sluys on 26 May 1603 was a naval battle in which a Spanish squadron tried to break through a blockade of the Zwin by Dutch ships.
