The problems with Venice sinking and flooding are well known and publicised. The same problems exist for Amsterdam.

On the train through Holland before arriving at Amsterdam, we noticed how the canals running through the countryside were higher than the level of the flat fields, and it is only the high levee banks that keep the water off the land. Now at Amsterdam, and we can see where the canals meet the sea level, it is obvious that the sea is higher than those canals that are higher than the fields. It is only the lock system that keeps the sea out of the canals.

Due to its location on an old swamp, and the pressure of sea level rising, the buildings of Amsterdam are sinking into the mud. As these buildings sink, they also lean, and this is obvious looking around the city. This group of photos are of buildings that we noticed. Look closely at each one. To slow down the rate of damage, the local government is working hard at pressing sand down into the ground where ever they can. Sand is brought in by barge, and one of these photos show an example of one of the locations that had been dug up and was being compacted with sand.