Lelystad, capital of the province, lies on the IJsselmeer. Although it was founded only in 1967, it already has a population of almost 60,000. The layout - which is not without its critics - has been designed in accordance with modern town planning principles (e.g. separation of traffic routes according to type of use, service facilities in town
center). The Nieuwe Land ("New Land") Museum, which gave an interesting account of the drainage and development of the polder, was unfortunately burned down in 1986 and has not been rebuilt. To the north of the town are the 143m/470ft high chimneys of a power station fueled by natural gas. In the Expositiegebouw in the harbor area is the information center of the two state agencies responsible for the Zuiderzeewerken and the IJsselmeerpolder. Nearby, at the Houtribsluizen (locks), is the end of the Lelystad-Enkhuizen dike, 31km/19mi long, built in 1975 to close off the Markerwaard polder in the southwest corner of the IJsselmeer.
Round Lelystad are a number of biological institutes and a fish hatchery.
Lelystad has a number of tourist attractions such as a replica 17th century ship, the Batavia, and the Aviodrome, a national aviation park. There are also numerous one-day events throughout the year such as sports, an air show and a vintage car show.
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