Rotterdam
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ROTTERDAM
Tourist Information
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 Rotterdam lies in the Dutch
province of Southern-Holland (Zuid-Holland) and is the
second largest city of the Netherlands and the
world's largest port. Over a million people live in the region and almost
600,000 within the city boundaries. Rotterdam, the economic heart of the
Netherlands, is a dynamic, diverse and interesting city. In the city,
the port and the surrounding region, you will experience the
international character of Rotterdam, famous modern architects have
contributed to an impressive skyline. Behind the skyline there are many
tourist attractions, museums an other interesting sights.
In the late 19t century Rotterdam eclipsed Amsterdam as the principal
port of the Netherlands. The decisive event was the completion in 1890
of the Nieuwe Waterweg between
Rotterdam and Hoek van Holland. This provided Rotterdam with a direct
link to the North Sea. Previously ships had to navigate a series of
difficult channels. Rotterdam rapidly transformed itself into a dynamic
modern port, and the first skyscraper in the Netherlands, the 10-storey
Witte Huis was erected beside the old harbour in 1898.
During
World War II much of the old port and
city of Rotterdam was destroyed by bombing. A modern, planned city has
since been built and the commercial and residential areas are located on
both banks of the River Maas. The port was rebuilt with massive
investment, to meet modern requirements. It is now the world's busiest
port. The port has several natural advantages, the most important of
which is the situation on the main branch of
the Rhine (the Lek). The Rhine is the world's busiest river,
carrying barge transport from as far away as Switzerland, France and
Germany. Rotterdam is also connected to France and southern Belgium by
the river Maas and with northern
Belgium by the river Scheldt.
 Desiderius
Erasmus Roterodamus, Dutch humanist and theologian, was
born in Rotterdam, Holland, October 27, probably 1466. He died in
Basel, Switzerland, on July 12, 1536. One of the greatest scholar of
all times, he was called Prince of the Humanists and lived at the
time of the Renaissance, a period of deep changes, characterized by
the revision of most concepts and a return to antique sources. The
unparalleled popularity he had acquired made him, in his thirties,
the eagerly sought after guest of kings and emperors, popes,
cardinals, archbishops and bishops, lords and towns councilors,
university heads, ... all people who were enjoying distinguished
places in these days society. His best known work is the
Praise of folly that he wrote on
his way back from Italy, a pamphlet mainly directed against the
behavior of leading classes and church dignitaries while ironizing
about mankind vanities.
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