The Beemster Polder, the first polder (area of reclaimed land, such as a from a lake or sea) in the Netherlands, was created by draining Lake Beemster in the early 17th century. Droogmakerij de Beemster has been selected for the UNESCO World Heritage Sites as an exceptional example of reclaimed land in the Netherlands. It has preserved intact its well-ordered landscape of fields, roads, canals, dykes and settlements, laid out in accordance with classical and Renaissance planning principles. The municipality of Beemster includes Middenbeemster, Noordbeemster, Westbeemster and Zuidoostbeemster. - AsNotedIn