Zeeland
Zeeland (“Sea-Land”), in the south west of the Netherlands, has always struggled with the sea; after the disastrous floods of 1953 the “Delta Plan” was adopted, a system of dikes and dams, greatly reducing the danger of flooding. The flag shows the coat of arms, a lion emerging from the sea, placed on blue and white waves. Zeeland's motto “Luctor et emergo” - I wrestle and emerge - was however adopted after Zeeland fought itself free from Spain with the help of the English in 1585.