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The New Dutch Waterline (NHW) is an important defense line in Dutch history. The waterline protected a large part of Holland and the city of Utrecht. The waterline was in use from 1870 to 1945.
The New Dutch Waterline served to replace the (Old) Dutch Waterline, dating from the end of the 17th century and bears this new name from 1871. An important difference between the old and the new line is that the city of Utrecht now falls within the line.
The waterline lay east and south of the cities of Holland, 85 kilometers long and 3 to 5 kilometers wide. With 46 forts, the line stretched from the island of Pampus in the Zuiderzee to the Biesbosch. In addition, the line consists of the five fortified towns Muiden, Weesp, Naarden, Gorinchem and Woudrichem. Its great historical value led to registration for the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The order of the maps is from south to north.