Rotterdam is fairly called the architectural capital of Europe, and even the city of the future. Its image differs sharply from other major cities in the Netherlands, and is a showcase of modern design and urban planning. Its futuristic buildings and sculptures, which wonderfully combine with ancient monuments, numerous canals, ponds and islands of wildlife, will not leave anyone indifferent.
Rotterdam is divided into 14 large districts, each of which is also divided into quarters. Three territorial zones of the city are the most attractive for the tourist. The central area is the most modern. It has a lot of modernist, futuristic architecture and lots of attractions. Delfshaven captivates with the color of antiquity. The northern island area and the coastal zone are quite interesting. There is the observation tower (Euromast), the old harbor, the Maritime Museum.
Rotterdam is a city of skyscrapers, futuristic architecture, and modern sculpture. You'll find curiosities at every turn. You'll find many old buildings, green areas, parks, picturesque canals, and ponds among the skyscrapers. Rotterdam is more varied and diverse than you might expect.
The city's population is very international. The native Dutch constitute only a little more than half of its inhabitants. The largest minority groups are Surinamese, Turks, Moroccans, and natives of the Netherlands Antilles. In 2009, Ahmed Abutaleb, a Dutchman with Moroccan roots, became Mayor of Rotterdam. This is the first time in Europe that a Muslim has become the head of a major city. The people of Rotterdam are tolerant and friendly, and it's widespread to say hello to strangers here. Don't be surprised, and don't forget to respond to greetings.
In the early Middle Ages, a settlement arose where the rivers Maas and Rotte meet and quickly became a city. Rotterdam translates as Rotte dam, and perhaps the dam is where it all began. In 1340, Rotterdam received the rights of a city, and 40 years later, they were significantly expanded.
Initially, it was primarily a city of fishermen, but in the XV century, Rotterdam developed in cloth production, followed by trade. In the XVII century, the city was already quite a big trading port with a population of twenty thousand people, and the famous East India Company established one of its offices there.
The city's economic importance increased sharply in the second half of the XIX century, after the construction of a 28-kilometer canal Nieuwe Waterweg, which connected the head of the Rhine with the North Sea, and which allowed call in Rotterdam ocean-going ships. Since that time, the city has played a special role in the European trading system.
Rotterdam survived several wars and natural disasters throughout its history. In 1448, it was besieged by the troops of German King Maximilian I. In the XVI century, the Dutch provinces rebelled against Spanish rule, the war lasted 80 years, and the Spanish sacked Rotterdam in 1572.
However, neither the wars of the time nor the fires stopped the development of the city. World War II was a real tragedy for Rotterdam. On May 14, 1940, the Luftwaffe subjected Rotterdam to heavy bombing, which resulted in the central part of the city literally being razed to the ground, the fires blazed for several days. More than a thousand people were killed, and about 100 thousand were left homeless. A monument in Rotterdam commemorating that event was erected. It is a large bronze figure of a man with his heart ripped out, who raised his hands to the sky that was bearing death.
After the war, the city center was rebuilt. It took 20 years. But the city continued to live and strengthen its potential. From the 1960s to 2004, Rotterdam was the busiest port in the world. Now it is third after Shanghai and Singapore.