Overview

De Kolonisten van de Lage Landen (The Settlers of the Low Countries) is a standalone Catan variant set on a map of The Netherlands and Flanders. Published by 999 Games in 2009, it uses the core Catan mechanics (resource production, trading, building) adapted to the geography and culture of the Low Countries. Players settle the Dutch and Flemish landscape, building settlements, roads, and cities while trading resources. The game features wooden components rather than plastic, including distinctive monument markers.

Components

• 1 game board depicting The Netherlands and Flanders with hex terrain tiles
• Wooden player pieces in 5 colors (black, yellow, red, white, blue – representing flags)
• Wooden monument markers
• Resource cards (brick, lumber, wool, grain, ore – adapted to Dutch themes)
• Development cards
• Number tokens
• Dice (2 six-sided)
• The Robber token
• Rules booklet

Setup

1. Set up the game board with hex terrain tiles as indicated (the map represents The Netherlands and Flanders).
2. Place number tokens on the hexes.
3. Each player chooses a color and takes their wooden pieces.
4. Players place their initial settlements and roads according to Catan placement rules.
5. Distribute starting resource cards based on initial settlement positions.
6. Place the Robber on the desert hex.

Turn Structure

On your turn:

1. Roll Dice: Roll 2d6. All hexes with the matching number produce resources for adjacent settlements/cities.
2. Trade: Trade resources with other players or via maritime/harbor trade.
3. Build: Spend resources to build roads, settlements, cities, or buy development cards.

Actions

Resource Production

• When a number is rolled, all hexes with that number produce resources.
• Settlements adjacent to a producing hex yield 1 resource card; cities yield 2.

Trading

• Domestic Trade: Negotiate trades with other players (any terms both agree to).
• Maritime Trade: Trade 4 identical resources for 1 of any type (or better ratios at harbors).

Building

• Roads: Connect settlements; required for expansion.
• Settlements: Built at intersections along roads; produce resources from adjacent hexes.
• Cities: Upgrade settlements for double resource production.
• Development Cards: Purchase for various bonuses (knights, victory points, special actions).

The Robber

• Rolling a 7 activates the Robber. Players with more than 7 cards must discard half. The active player moves the Robber to block a hex and steals a card from an adjacent player.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The first player to reach the target victory point total (typically 10 VP) wins. Points come from:

• Settlements (1 VP each)
• Cities (2 VP each)
• Longest Road (2 VP)
• Largest Army (2 VP)
• Victory Point development cards (1 VP each)
• Monuments (special VP conditions)

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Dutch/Flemish Theme: The map, terrain, and flavor text are themed around the Low Countries, giving the game a distinct regional identity.
• Wooden Components: Unlike standard Catan, all player pieces and monuments are wooden, giving a premium feel.
• Monument Markers: Special wooden monument markers provide unique VP opportunities not found in base Catan.
• Standalone: This is a complete standalone game, not an expansion. Compatible with the core Catan rules but uses its own board and components.
• 5 Player Colors: Supports up to 5 players out of the box (many Catan base games only support 3-4 without an expansion).

Player Reference

Turn: Roll 2d6 → Produce resources → Trade → Build

Build Costs: Road (1 brick + 1 lumber)

Settlement (1 brick + 1 lumber + 1 wool + 1 grain)

City (2 grain + 3 ore)

Dev Card (1 wool + 1 grain + 1 ore)

Win: First to 10 VP

VP Sources: Settlements (1), Cities (2), Longest Road (2), Largest Army (2), VP cards, Monuments

Robber: On a 7 – discard half if >7 cards, move robber, steal 1 card