[vonmoltke]

I was under the impression that the canal networks in the Netherlands were similar to the South Florida Water Management District's canal system. The primary purpose of the network is to prevent southern Florida from reverting to swampland, which is the natural tendency due to the geology, geography, and weather patterns. Since much of the coastal Netherlands is in a similar situation, I always assumed the canals were primarily for moving water to the North Sea without flooding out the low-lying areas.

[fennecfoxen]

That may be the case for de kanalen, but I don't think it explains de grachten -- that is, the Netherlands has canals criss-crossing the countryside which might accomplish flood control purposes, but when there are canals in between every other city street, that's another matter.

Either way, the article failed to explain :)

(Fun fact: the word "gracht", Dutch / Nederlands for street-canal, uses the voiced velar fricative, a sound which English eschews. Good luck pronouncing it right. :b)