In this video by Universiteit van Nederland, cartographer Menno-Jan Kraak from the University of Twente explains how the Dutch border took shape over the centuries. He shows how historical choices, political agreements and practical solutions led to unusual border situations. One example is Baarle, where the border runs straight through streets, shops and even houses.
From map to reality
Borders may look fixed, but they are not always as permanent as they seem. In 2016, the Netherlands changed its border with Belgium. And there is still a border dispute with Germany. How is that possible? And why does Google Maps not look the same everywhere in the world?
Menno-Jan shows that maps are more than lines and colours. They tell stories about power, history, technology and the way we organise the world around us.
Watch the video by Universiteit van Nederland and discover how strange, changeable and fascinating the Dutch border really is.
