Narrow elongated islands seen in an area called Scheendijk in the Loosdrecht Lakes, The Netherlands.
In medieval times this region was a large peat blog that was too soggy for agricultural purposes.
Peat is composed of partially decayed vegetation and organic matter and are an excellent source of fuel.
Peat harvesting in Loosdrechtbegan inthe 1630s.
The peat was dredged from underneath the water surface andleft to dry on adjacent banks.
In this way an area with long cuts and banks, typical in peat mining, was formed.
As the peat mining continued, the banks got smaller and subsequent wind and wave action eroded the banks.
The Loosdrecht Lakes are today famous for their holiday homes and for watersport activities.
Map of the Loosdrecht lakes.
Photo credit:www.partyschip-loosdrecht.nl
Mobile homes on the banks of the Loosdrecht Lakes.
Photo credit:Aerovista Luchtfotografie/Shutterstock.com
