The Green Heart
The area between the cities of Amsterdam , Rotterdam , The Hague and Utrecht is called ' the'Green Heart'.
Throughout history, there has been a thick wet peat layer in this area. Because of the low sealevel the land was not suitable for building, but for agriculture and for the winning of peat. Between 1600/1700, the cities around the 'Green Heart' were developed during the Golden Age. The difference with the countryside was that the land was part of a Defence system called the Hollandse Waterlinie. In danger the countryside could be flooded to prevent attackers to cross the land.
Now the ‘ Green Heart ' is seen as the playground of the Randstad. The vast and open landscape like no other area offers space for recreation, relaxation, rest and enjoying the beautiful nature. With urban pressure of the overpopulated cities to create a 'Green Heart' became the policy of the government, who now aims to preserve the area and not let it be interfered too much with roads and railways. So that the next generation can also enjoy this beautiful piece of Holland . (hollow land)
In the 'Green Heart' you can find the village of Kamerik . Which was developed around the 10 th century. The Bishop of Utrecht was the first owner of the peat land area. For example, the Kamerik wetering was one of the first drainage canals to be constructed and then the first settlement began to emerge. Now the village of Kamerik has about 3500 citizens
