Zuider Zee
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Zuider Zee. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a large gulf of the North Sea, penetrating deep into the Netherlands; about 60 miles in length, . The is and 210 miles in circumference lands Texel, Vlieland, Ter Schelling, Ameland, and Schiermonnikoog, reach from the most N. point ing in a chain former of Holland, are the remains of the line of coast, and form a breakwater against the North Sea. From Dunkirk in French Flanders to the N. of Holland the interior is defended from the sea by sandhills or dunes. Here, as at the mouth of the Scheldt, the sand barrier overwas broken, and in 1282 the waters flowing the low lands separated the province of Friesland from the peninsula of North Holland, and, having united with the small inner lake Flevo, formed the present Zuider Zee. In it lie the islands . Wieringen, Urk, Schokland, and Marken Zee a long From the S. W. of the Zuider narrow arm, called the Y (pronounced I), formerly ran nearly due W. through the peninsula of Holland. A strong sea dyke and locks have been constructed to cut off the Zuider Zee from the Y, ship cathrough which there is a broad nal between Amsterdam and the North Sea. On both sides of the canal the Y has been drained and turned into about 12,000 acres of rich land. The waterway by the king in formally opened was 1876. ZULULAND. See NATAL.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
zi'der ze, a border sea of the Netherlands. It is Dutch, signifying South Sea by way of distinction from the North Sea . The Zuider Zee is separated from the North Sea by low islands. It extends inland to a distance of eighty miles and is in general about forty-five miles wide, though at one point the shores are within ten miles of each other. Harlingen and Hoorn are important ports. Amsterdam is situated on a short arm of the sea. The water in general is not deep. Outside of certain channels it is navigable for shallow-draft vessels only. There are valuable oyster beds and plaice fisheries. The shore appears to be sinking. In the twelfth century a large part of the sea was merely a salt marsh. The government is now engaged in building dikes and pumping out the sea water with a view to acquiring a large area of fertile land for agricultural purposes.