The presence of port cities in the territory of any country improves its economy. The largest port in the world, Rotterdam, is located in the Netherlands. Read about it in the article.
Description
Describing this port, one cannot fail to say that its area is measured by ten thousand hectares. Its total length is about forty thousand meters, or 40 kilometers. Its location is the delta of three rivers connected with the North Sea. It is also connected to a river called the Nivier Meuse. You can visit it any day of the week. It is open every minute. In total, more than thirty thousand ships moor here a year - it is so huge.
The port of Rotterdam consists of many harbours. Each of them has its own name and number, so it is impossible to confuse them. In addition, it is connected to the entire country and other states through the railway.
The constant number of people living in this city is about 617 thousand, so it is one of the largest cities in the Netherlands, second only to Amsterdam in population.
The port even has a motto, which sounds like this: "Strong in the fight."
History
This port originated in the Middle Ages. It was at this time that harbors first appeared there. However, by the nineteenth century, the rivers that connected it to the sea routes were silted up, as a result of which the port of Rotterdam became difficult to access. Since it was in the 19th century that industry in the Ruhr region began to develop intensively, the port became in demand. So in 1830 he got a special canal.
Soon the number of ships passing here increased, and in 1872 a second canal connected the port directly to the sea. New harbors have appeared, located on an island called IJsselmond. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, more and more harbors were formed as the port grew larger. In 1958, an industrial petrochemical complex appeared in the port of Rotterdam, one of the leading in the world. After that, even the largest ships could get here.
The port of Rotterdam is still developing. So, in the 1970s, new harbors appeared here, and the amount of goods imported into its territory is increasing to this day. In the period from 1962 to 2004, it was the largest in the world, but recently the port of Shanghai has borne this title. Despite this, he remains the leader in Europe.
Port Activities
Currently, a major port like Rotterdam is one of the most important in the world. The cargo flows processed here, for the most part, consist of such minerals as ore and coal. In addition, petroleum products and crude oil alsoget here. In total, the port has five harbors for receiving black gold, which include 68 berths.
Many people who are interested in shipbuilding visit the Netherlands. Port of Rotterdam is a place where life is in full swing. Ferries operate here, ships are repaired, and shipyards are also located. If you give exact numbers, then you can count 8 enterprises intended for ship repair.
Rotterdam is not only a seaport. More than 200,000 riverboats, 250 to be exact, moor in its piers every year. It is part of a widely branched railway system. In addition, one of the largest airports in Holland is located here. Historical facts testify that it was in this city that the first metro in the Netherlands was opened.
Interestingly, during one of the biggest wars, namely the First World War, spies were active in the port.
Tours
The Port of Rotterdam is not only the world's leading port. This city is very popular with tourists. People organize both independent trips and group excursions. So, you can choose among several options the duration of such a walk. It can take 75 minutes or two and a half hours. In summer, you can take part in the excursion at least several times a day, even at night.
The program of excursions is designed in such a way that everyone can see all the most interesting. For example,moorings, docks, warehouses, containers brought from all over the world will not be left without attention. At night, tourists have the opportunity to see the romantic Rotterdam, a port city illuminated by thousands of lanterns and spotlights.
Attractions
The seaport of Rotterdam is a city that is rightfully considered the king of Dutch architecture. A large number of buildings are located here, which at different times were champions, for example, in height. So, one of the buildings built at the beginning of the twentieth century, for several years was considered the highest in the Netherlands. It towered 45 meters above the ground.
Of course, visiting the port, you can not help but be interested in local attractions. These include, among others:
- Cubic houses considered a prime example of modern architecture.
- Euromast towering many meters above the ground.
- The White House is one of the most beautiful in the whole city.
- Erasmus Bridge, or the Swan Bridge. The largest drawbridge in the world, the construction of which cost the country $110 million.
- A maritime museum where people can expand their knowledge of the history of shipbuilding.
Every year tourists visit the sights of Rotterdam. In total, there are about four million people who come to the port.
