Geography of the European Netherlands European part of the country can be split into two areas: the low and flat lands in the west and north, and the higher lands with minor hills in the east and south. The former, including the reclaimed polders and river deltas, make up about half of its surface area and are less than above sea level, much of it actually below sea level. An extensive range of seawalls and coastal dunes protect the Netherlands from the sea, and levees and dikes along the rivers protect against river flooding. The rest of the country is mostly flat; only in the
Geography of the European Netherlands (Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel) , "below" sea level. "highest point on European mainland:" Vaalserberg above sea level. "highest point (including the Caribbean islands):" Mount Scenery on Saba above sea level. Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land Land use: (2011) "arable land:" 25.08% "permanent crops:" 0.88% "other:" 74.04% Irrigated land (2007): Total renewable water resources (2011): Natural hazards: flooding by sea and rivers is a constant danger. The extensive system of dikes, dams, and sand dunes protect nearly one-half of the total area from being flooded during the heavy autumn storms from the north-west.