The 12th province of the Netherlands; population 366,000. It was established in 1986 by combining several recently re claimed polders in the former Zuiderzee, now the IJsselmeer: Noord oostpolder (reclaimed in 1942), Oostelijk Flevoland (1957), and Zuidelijk Flevoland (1968), including the former islands of Urk and Schokland (since 1995 a United NationsEducational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization [UNESCO] World Heritage Site). The province name is derived from Lake Flevo, the Roman predecessor of the Zuiderzee. Its capital is Lelystad, and other cities are the fast growing Almere, Dronten, and Emmeloord. Agriculture and recre ation (in the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve and near the so called Randmeren) are important features of this province, which is also important as a housing area for people from Amsterdam.
Historical Dictionary of the Netherlands. EdwART. 2012.