How does the Netherlands protect its low lying areas?

Answer 1

The Netherlands has a sea-climate. It also doesn't lie anywhere near a fault line, where two earth plates hit each other. Therefor, there have never been real tragedies concerning water.

There was a flood in 1421 which claimed some lives and one in 1953 that claimed 1835 human lives and some cattle.

The Dutch have embankments (these are basically elevated parts of dirt, rocks and other natural material) along most rivers. When the snow in the Alps (mainly, there's more) melts during spring, this water flows through those rivers. The embankments stop the rivers from flooding and doing damage.

In the south-west, there are mechanical dams that close when there is a heavy storm at sea, to prevent a repetition of the flood of 1953.

As I said, there are no real tragedies concerning water. If the Netherlands is ever hit by a hurricane, tsunami or whatnot, most would not survive. Over half of the country lies below sea level.

Answer 2

Holland is world famous for building excellent dikes and other water management.

Answer 3

Excellent water management, building embankments, and most important good maintenance. All learned from experience, good and bad.

Answer 4

They built Dikes to hold the water out!