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How a country below sea-level keeps the water at bay

The Delta Works is a wonder of preventative engineering

Built in response to a natural disaster, the Delta Works is a wonder of preventative engineering.

With much of the country being below sea level, the Netherlands' relationship with water has always been one of both confrontation and cooperation.

On 31 January 1953, a severe storm meant that the country felt the full force of the North Sea, resulting in the loss of many lives.

To ensure the future security of their land, the Dutch government developed a comprehensive infrastructure project, the Delta Works. A mix of dams, dykes, levvees and locks, this project still maintains the security of this small country.

But will it be able to withstand the rising sea levels caused by global warming?

Mega Builds is a video series from BBC Future looking at giants of engineering from around the globe.

Video script: Wouter van de Klippe, from the Department of Science and Technology Studies, University College London.