Netherlands

Cool, humid maritime climate with persistent westerlies. Very low relief—coastal dunes, reclaimed polders and river deltas—with isolated sand ridges and heath. Outdoor life centres on wind-sports (kitesurf and land-yachting on the North-Sea beaches), ultra-flat road and gravel cycling on dike systems, skating the frozen canals when cold snaps occur, and bird-watch paddling on the IJsselmeer, Biesbosch and Wadden Sea.