Scheldt

The Scheldt (also known as Escaut in French, Schelde in Dutch, and Scaldis in Latin) is a 350-kilometer (217 mi) long river that flows through northern France, western Belgium, and the southwestern part of the Netherlands. Its source is in Gouy, in the Aisne department of France.

The river is of significant historical and economic importance to the region. It served as a vital trade route for centuries, connecting major cities such as Antwerp, Ghent, and Valenciennes to the North Sea. The control and access to the Scheldt have been a point of contention in numerous historical conflicts, particularly between the Habsburgs and the Dutch Republic.

The Scheldt is divided into three main sections: the Upper Scheldt (from its source to Ghent), the Maritime Scheldt (from Ghent to the Dutch border), and the Western Scheldt (the tidal estuary in the Netherlands). The Maritime Scheldt is heavily influenced by tides and is navigable by large ships. The Western Scheldt connects Antwerp's port to the North Sea.

The river's drainage basin covers approximately 21,863 square kilometers (8,441 sq mi) and includes several tributaries, such as the Lys, Scarpe, and Dender. The Scheldt estuary is a rich ecosystem, supporting a variety of plant and animal life, including important bird populations.

Environmental concerns, such as pollution from industrial and agricultural sources, have posed challenges to the Scheldt's ecosystem. Efforts have been made to improve water quality and restore the river's ecological health through international cooperation between the countries through which it flows. The Sigmaplan, for example, is a major project focused on flood control and ecological restoration in the Scheldt basin.