The Hague

The Hague (Dutch: Den Haag or 's Gravenhage ) is the seat of government of the Netherlands. However, Amsterdam is the official capital city.

The Hague is a quiet conservative city, compared to the cultural center of the Netherlands Amsterdam and the industrial port city of Rotterdam.

Notable buildings in The Hague are:

• The Binnenhof (lit: inner court) the seat of parliament since 1446
• The Noordeinde palace, the "working palace" for Queen Beatrix since 1984 when she took office
• The Mauritshuis, museum exhibiting the Royal Picture Gallery
• The Peace Palace (donated by Andrew Carnegie)
• The International Court for Criminal Justice
• Hollandspoor Station (a model for Tokyo Central station)
• The European Patent Office