The important port town of Vlissingen (traditionally in English Flushing) lies on the south coast of the former island of Walcheren, where the Schelde, here more than 4km/2.5mi wide, flows into the North Sea. Vlissingen and IJmuiden are the only Dutch ports of any size situated directly on the North Sea. Ferry services to
Breskens and to Sheerness in Kent.
The outer harbor for seagoing vessels, 12m/40ft deep, is separated by locks from two inland docks, which are linked with Middelburg by the Walcheren Canal. Around the harbor and along the canal a variety of industries have been established, the most important being shipbuilding, engineering, fish processing and leatherworking. More recently chemical and petrochemical plants have also been established. Since the completion of the Delta Plan the Vlissingen industrial zone is due to be increased by some 30,000 hectares/75,000 acres. The necessary energy is provided by a conventional and a nuclear power station.
Vlissingen first appears in the records in 1247. In 1315, already a considerable port, it received its municipal charter. It played an important part during the Dutch rising against Spain; after the capture of Brielle by the Sea Beggars Vlissingen was the first town in the Netherlands to fly the flag of freedom (1572). It was the birthplace of the celebrated Admiral Michiel de Ruyter (1607-76) and the poet Jacobus Bellamy (1557-86).
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