National Saemangeum Reclamation Museum Reclamation Worldwide

Zone 5

Reclamation Worldwide

Reclamation Worldwide Room is a space where visitors can explore the diverse characteristics of reclamation history from around the world. There were areas geographically advantageous for reclamation, and places that carried out reclamation to secure farmland for survival. There were also countries that chose reclamation politically for national and urban expansion, and those that used reclamation for modernization. To examine these characteristics, countries such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Russia, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States were sampled. Through a diverse exhibition of reclamation from around the world, one can examine how humanity has developed and changed through reclamation.

01. Reclamation in China
02. Reclamation in Hong Kong and Singapore
03. Reclamation in Japan
04. Reclamation in Russia
05. Reclamation in the Netherlands

06. Reclamation in Germany
07. Reclamation in Italy
08. Reclamation in the United Kingdom
09. Reclamation in the United States

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01Reclamation in China

The mainland of China is traversed by the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, the third longest and the cradle of Chinese civilization respectively. Combined, the rivers of the mainland reach approximately 430,000 kilometers. Additionally, the length of the eastern mainland coastline is about 18,000 kilometers, with other coastal islands extending about 14,000 kilometers. Due to these geographical features with extensive land-water interfaces, reclamation has been extensively carried out across both inland and coastal areas in Chinese history.

02Reclamation in Hong Kong and Singapore

Hong Kong and Singapore both developed from small fishing ports into international trading ports due to British imperial expansion. The British conducted land reclamation to accommodate the growth of these harbors, and these reclamation projects have continued even after both regions were no longer under British political influence.

03Reclamation in Japan

Japan's terrain is predominantly mountainous, with areas below 100 meters in elevation constituting only about 28% of the country. Most of the plains are located along the coast, providing the geographical conditions necessary for land expansion through reclamation.

04Reclamation in Russia

"In my opinion, the greatest painter of Russia was Peter the Great, who imagined amazing cities and created them on the vast canvas of nature."

- Salvador Dalí (1904-1989)

05Reclamation in the Netherlands

The coastal regions of the Netherlands are naturally characterized by peat bogs, which are prone to significant subsidence when drained. As a result of reclamation for farmland, the land gradually lowers, causing water to accumulate in these lower areas, transforming existing rivers into lakes. These newly formed lakes then pose a serious threat of flooding to local communities. The history of land reclamation in the Netherlands is a record of both survival and peril.

06Reclamation in Germany

"He who improves the quality of the land, transforms wastelands into arable soil, and removes swamps, is conquering barbarism."

- Frederick the Great (1712-1786)

07Reclamation in Italy

Italian land reclamation can be categorized into securing farmland and controlling malaria through inland swamp reclamation, and sea level reclamation represented by Venice. This was possible due to Italy's advanced science, technology, and water management systems.

08Reclamation in the United Kingdom

"The work of drainage has a long history and is even mentioned in the Bible. 'In the beginning, God commanded that the waters under the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.'"
- Sir William Dugdale, British historian, "The History of Imbanking and Drayning of Divers Fens and Marshes"

09Reclamation in the United States

The development history of the United States is fundamentally based on the spirit of the frontier, expanding from the Eastern seaboard to the uncharted territories of the West. Consequently, land reclamation in this country primarily occurred as undeveloped lands evolved into urban areas, necessitating the construction of infrastructure.

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