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Rotterdam, founded in 1230, is the second largest city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam with around 610,000 inhabitants. It is located in the province of South Holland at the mouth of the Rhine into the North Sea. The seaport of Rotterdam, which also includes Europoort, is the largest port in Europe – the number 3 worldwide. A harbor tour is almost a must for every visitor. Rotterdam is also the leading industrial and commercial city in the Netherlands. A completely different kind of celebrity is Rotterdam’s most famous son – the humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam (1465-1536). A statue was erected in his honour at the Großer Markt in 1549. For music lovers, it is worth mentioning the Philharmonic Orchestra, which is considered the second most important in the Netherlands. Many facets surround Rotterdam, it is a port city with many faces. Many skyscrapers shape the cityscape, and yet they are not oppressive. Rather even fascinating. Just like the impressive cube houses. Here everything seems to be a little oblique.
Rotterdam is a city in the Netherlands. It is located at a point where several large rivers flow into the North Sea. After Amsterdam, it is the largest city in the Netherlands. About 600,000 people live in the city, there are more than a million in the surrounding area. Rotterdam is home to the largest port in Europe. That is why it is an important place for the trade of goods by ship.
The city was founded in the Middle Ages, when a dam was built there on the river Rotte. Hence the name of the city. At first it was just a small fishing village. At the end of the Middle Ages, Rotterdam became a rich trading city.
In 1853, a canal was dug to the North Sea. This gave Rotterdam direct access to all ports in the world. Important for Rotterdam’s rise was, among other things, the Ruhr area. A lot of coal from there was shipped to Rotterdam. During the Second World War, the Germans almost completely destroyed the city center. Only a few old buildings have been rebuilt. Instead, modern high-rise buildings were built. After the war, the city grew strongly. Many immigrants came from Morocco, Suriname and Turkey in particular.
There is a lot to discover in Rotterdam. In the city center sees a lot of modern art and buildings: for example, the cube houses of Piet Blom and the bronze statue “The Destroyed City” by the artist Zadkine. There are also numerous art museums and theatres in Rotterdam. In addition, a film festival is held here every year. There is a large university in Rotterdam, the Erasmus University.
Is Rotterdam in Holland or Germany?
Is Amsterdam and Rotterdam the same place?
What part of country is Rotterdam?
What language is spoken in Rotterdam?
