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| − | '''Rotterdam''', in the Dutch province of [[Zuid Holland]], is the largest port in [[Europe]] and the second largest city of [[the Netherlands]]. It lies on the Neuwe Maas river in the delta formed by the convergence of the [[River Rhine]] and [[River Maas]]. Founded on a ''dam'', or embankment, by the River ''Rotte'', Rotterdam gained city status in 1340 and grew steadily through the succeeding centuries. | + | '''Rotterdam''', in the Dutch province of [[Zuid Holland]], is the largest port in [[Europe]] and the second largest city of [[the Netherlands]]. It lies on the Nieuwe Maas river in the delta formed by the convergence of the [[River Rhine]] and [[River Maas]]. Founded on a ''dam'', or embankment, by the River ''Rotte'', Rotterdam gained city status in 1340 and grew steadily through the succeeding centuries. |
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| | On 14 May 1940 the city was bombed by the [[Luftwaffe]] during the German invasion of the [[Low Countries]], killing between 800 and 900 civilians and destroying much of the city centre. After the war, Rotterdam was rebuilt in a modernist idiom, its ''Lijnbaan'' incorporating retail, housing and separation of traffic from pedestrians in a major development. | | On 14 May 1940 the city was bombed by the [[Luftwaffe]] during the German invasion of the [[Low Countries]], killing between 800 and 900 civilians and destroying much of the city centre. After the war, Rotterdam was rebuilt in a modernist idiom, its ''Lijnbaan'' incorporating retail, housing and separation of traffic from pedestrians in a major development. |
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| − | Rotterdam has a population of 584,000. | + | Rotterdam has a population of 619,879. |
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| | + | == Hoek van Holland == |
| | + | Hoek van Holland ("Hook of Holland", literally 'corner of Holland') is a port in South Holland, and is administratively part of the city of Rotterdam. It's located at the outflow of the Nieuwe Waterweg (New Waterway) canal into the [[North Sea]], and is the base for ferry services to [[Harwich]] in eastern England. |
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| | + | == Sports == |
| | + | [[Feyenoord]] - A soccer team playing in the [[Eredivisie]]. |
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| | + | ==See also== |
| | + | * [[History of the Netherlands]] |
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| | [[Category:Dutch Cities and Towns]] | | [[Category:Dutch Cities and Towns]] |
| | + | [[Category:Dutch History]] |