General info

The new Rotterdam skyline exemplifies the present-day image of the city: modern, dynamic, multi-talented and exciting. A metropolis by the water; where living, working, recreation and culture are in harmony with each other. Rotterdam is the second city of the Netherlands, one of the largest ports in the world, the economic, social and cultural centre of the Rijnmond (Rhine Estuary) region and the industrial heart of the Netherlands. Being the ''Gateway to Europe'' Rotterdam has a hinterland of 500 million inhabitants.

Rotterdam was founded around the year 1250 after construction of a dam in the river 'Rotte'. The town received its charter in 1340. Rotterdam has grown from a small fishing village to the present international centre of trade, transport, industry and distribution. At the beginning of the Second World War nearly the whole of the city centre was destroyed by bombs. This explains why there are hardly any "old" buildings in the centre. The Delfshaven district is one of the few examples reminding of the glorious past. After the war the main priority was the reconstruction of the port and the city centre. Nowadays, the modern avant-garde architecture of the city centre is famous both in The Netherlands and abroad.

The city of Rotterdam actively maintains international relations of all kinds in almost all parts of the world. Its network includes twin cities such as Dresden, Lille, Shanghai, Baltimore, Antwerp, Prague, Budapest, Jakarta, Tokyo, Istanbul and Casablanca.

For more information about Rotterdam, please visit the (bilingual, Dutch and English) website www.rotterdam.info/uk.