The Netherlands is a country in Western Europe within a temperate climate zone. Inland lakes and rivers are suitable for sailing as well as the 450 km long North Sea coastline. The Dutch Antilles and Aruba in the Caribbean are also part of the Netherlands. The Wadden Sea, the IJsselmeer, and the Marker Lake are popular cruising grounds. Houseboat tours are common on the canals and rivers, and are a popular activity for both the Dutch and visitors. The IJsselmeer has only been called its present name since 1932, the former Zuiderzee is now an inland water which is divided into two parts by a dam: the IJsselmeer in the north and the Markermeer in the south west. The IJsselmeer covers 1100 square kilometers and is around 5m at the deepest point. (Do not let the sandbanks spoil your sailing trip: keep an eye on buoys and charts!) The Marker is by the Markerwaarddijk sea, which runs from Enkhuizen to Lelystad, and is separated from the IJsselmeer. Like the IJsselmeer, it is a freshwater inland waterway, and offers numerous excursions and mooring facilities. Zeeland is a province in the southwest of the Netherlands which consists mainly of offshore islands and peninsulas. The sailing area is formed by these islands and the surrounding waters. Despite the sheltered situation of the area one should note the tide table, as difficult, steep seas can arise here. About 30% of the entire Wadden Sea is located in the Netherlands. It is a very attractive area, although challenging at the same time. In particular, the Frisian Wadden Sea is notorious among sailors for being difficult. Changing shipping channels and sandbars impede navigation.