The IJmeer is a '
bordering lake
In the Netherlands, the bordering lakes (in Dutch: ''Randmeren'') are a chain of lakes which separate the Flevopolder and Noordoostpolder from the ancient lands of the provinces of Gelderland, Utrecht, Overijssel and Friesland.''Wateralmanak 2009: ...
' (''Randmeer'') in the
Netherlands. It lies between the De Nes polder (in
Waterland
Waterland () is a municipality in the Netherlands, located in the province of North Holland. It is situated north of Amsterdam, on the western shore of the Markermeer. It is well-known for comprising the touristy towns of Broek in Waterland and ...
), Pampushaven, Hollandse Brug and the mouth of the
IJ in
IJburg
IJburg () is a residential neighbourhood under construction in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is situated in the IJmeer and is being built on artificial islands which have been raised from the lake. The Haveneiland, Rieteilanden, Steigereiland and ...
, straddling the provinces of
North Holland
North Holland ( nl, Noord-Holland, ) is a province of the Netherlands in the northwestern part of the country. It is located on the North Sea, north of South Holland and Utrecht, and west of Friesland and Flevoland. In November 2019, it had a ...
and
Flevoland. It is an important habitat for birds such as the
tufted duck and
scaup. To the north-east is the
Markermeer
The Markermeer () is a lake in the central Netherlands in between North Holland, Flevoland, and its smaller and larger neighbors, the IJmeer and IJsselmeer. A shallow lake at 3 to 5 m in depth, matching the reclaimed land to its west, ...
, south-east is the
Gooimeer
The Gooimeer (Gooi Lake) is a bordering lake in the Netherlands between the southeastern part of North Holland (the Gooi) and Flevoland.
There is a railroad bridge over the narrow west side, between Weesp and Almere Muziekwijk, with a parallel ...
.
Houses in the IJmeer
Since 1998 islands have been built for the new suburb of
IJburg
IJburg () is a residential neighbourhood under construction in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is situated in the IJmeer and is being built on artificial islands which have been raised from the lake. The Haveneiland, Rieteilanden, Steigereiland and ...
. The first houses were ready in 2003. On 24 November 2004 the Council of State ruled that the construction of further new islands was provisionally banned, because the consequences for the environment were insufficiently researched.
Further plans for the IJmeer
In 2006, the Council for Transport and Public Works and the Environment Board issued a joint opinion stating that
Amsterdam and
Almere
Almere () is a planned city and municipality in the province of Flevoland, Netherlands, located about 20 km to the east of Amsterdam (as the crow flies) across the IJmeer.
Bordering Lelystad and Zeewolde, the municipality of Almere compr ...
should become conjoined cities with the IJmeer as a 'Central Park'. Partly to this end, Almere has announced plans to build residential areas in the IJmeer, in order for Amsterdam and Almere to grow closer together. There are plans for a connection between Amsterdam and Almere, straight through the IJmeer, through IJburg, and the planned Almere Pampus. Most likely this connection will be a bridge with lanes for public transport (
metro and
RER-like) and road.
ROA (2006), Verkenning Regionale IJmeerverbinding
/ref>
Islands
The IJmeer has a number of islands including:
*De Drost
* Hooft (island)
*Pampus
Pampus () is an artificial island and late 19th-century sea fort located in the IJmeer near Amsterdam. Pampus now belongs to the municipality of Gooise Meren and is open to visitors.
Together with the artillery battery on the lighthouse isl ...
*Vuurtoreneiland
Vuurtoreneiland ("Lighthouse Island") is a small island in the IJmeer, Netherlands, just off the coast of Durgerdam. The island's main function is as a base for a lighthouse; a military fort on the island was abandoned in the 1930s.
History of l ...
*Warenar
References
Lakes of the Netherlands
Ramsar sites in the Netherlands
Landforms of Flevoland
Landforms of North Holland
Geography of Amsterdam
Geography of Gooise Meren
Almere
Waterland
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