The topography of North Holland is a testament to the Dutch proverb, "God created the world, but the Dutch created the Netherlands." The province is exceedingly flat, with vast portions lying below sea level. The lowest point is found in the reclaimed lakebed of the Haarlemmermeer or the Beemster polder, dropping to roughly 5 meters (16 feet) below sea level.
Conversely, the highest points in the province are not mountains, but coastal sand dunes. The Schoorlse Duinen (Schoorl Dunes) near Alkmaar represent the province's peak elevation, rising to approximately 55 meters (180 feet) above sea level. There are no mountains, canyons, or natural plateaus. Instead, the topography is defined by its artificial water bodies, perfectly flat agricultural plains, sweeping coastal beaches, and the gentle, forested hills of the Gooi region.
