Rotterdam’s

Rotterdam is the Netherlands’ second-largest city, after Amsterdam. Located in South Holland, it sits at the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta. The city was built around a dam on the Rotte River in 1270 and gained city rights in 1340. Today, it houses about 2.7 million people in its metropolitan area, making it the most populous in the country and the tenth-largest in the EU. Rotterdam is a key logistical and economic hub. It’s home to Europe’s largest port. As of 2022, the city had 655,468 residents from over 180 nationalities. The city is famous for its university, vibrant culture, maritime history, and modern architecture. World War II bombing nearly destroyed its centre. This led to a mix of architectural styles, featuring skyscrapers by renowned architects like Rem Koolhaas, Piet Blom, and Ben van Berkel. Rotterdam’s waterways connect to Western Europe, including the industrial Ruhr area. Its extensive transport network has earned it the titles “Gateway to Europe” and “Gateway to the World.”