Port of Rotterdam: history, description, attractions

Availability of city-ports in the territory of a country improves its economy. The Netherlands has the largest port in the world - Rotterdam. Read about it in the article.

Description

Describing this port, we can not 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 communicating with the North Sea. It is also connected with a river called Nivier-Maas. You can visit it any day of the week. It is open every minute. In total there are more than thirty thousand vessels moored per year - it is so huge.

Port of Rotterdam consists of many harbors. Each of them carries its name and number, so it is impossible to confuse them. In addition, he has communication with the whole country and other states through the railway.

The constant number of people living in the territory of this city is about 617 thousand, so it is one of the largest cities in the Netherlands, yielding to the population only to Amsterdam.

The port has even a motto, which sounds like this: "Strong in the fight."

History

This port was born in the Middle Ages. It was at this time there were first harbors. However, by the nineteenth century, the rivers connecting it with the sea routes were silted, as a result of which the port of Rotterdam became inaccessible. Since it was in the 19th century that the industry in the Ruhr region began to develop intensively, the port became popular. So in 1830 he received a special channel.

Soon the number of vessels passing here increased, and in 1872 the second channel connected the port directly to the sea. There were new harbors, located on an island called IJsselmond. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, more and more harbors formed, as the port grew larger. In 1958 an industrial petrochemical complex appeared in Rotterdam port, 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 number of cargoes imported into its territory is growing ever stronger. In the period from 1962 to 2004 it was the largest in the whole world, but recently this title is port of Shanghai. Despite this, it remains the leading in Europe.

Activities in the port

At present, such a large port as Rotterdam is one of the most important in the world. The cargo flows processed here, for the most part, consist of minerals such as ore and coal. In addition, oil products and oil in pure form also come here. In total, the port operates five harbors for receiving black gold, which includes 68 berths.

Many people who are interested in the ship business are visiting the Netherlands. Port of Rotterdam - a place where life is boiling. There are ferries, ship repair, shipbuilding yards. If to name exact numbers, it is possible to count 8 enterprises intended for ship repair.

Rotterdam is not only a seaport. Every year more than two hundred thousand river vessels are moored in its quays, more precisely 250. It is part of a widely ramified railway system. In addition, here is one of the largest airports in the Netherlands. Historical facts indicate that it was in this city that the first metro in the Netherlands was opened.

It is interesting that during the time of one of the largest wars, namely the First World War, active spying activity was conducted in the port.

Excursions

Port of Rotterdam is not only the leader among the world's ports. 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 as long as 75 minutes, and 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 interesting things. For example, berths, 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, lit by thousands of street lamps and spotlights.

sights

Seaport Rotterdam is a city that is rightfully considered the king of Dutch architecture. There is a large number of buildings, which at different times were record holders, for example, in height. Thus, one of the buildings built in the early twentieth century, for several years was considered the highest in the Netherlands. It towered above the ground for 45 meters.

Of course, visiting the port, you can not be interested in local attractions. These include, in particular:

• Cubic houses, which are considered a vivid example of modern architecture.
• Euromast, towering above the ground for many meters.
• The White House is one of the most beautiful in the whole city.

• Erasmus Bridge, or the swan bridge. The world's largest drawbridge, the construction of which cost the country 110 million dollars.
• The Maritime Museum, after visiting which, 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.