The presence of port cities 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, one cannot but 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 connecting with the North Sea. It is also associated with a river called Nivier-Maas. You can visit it any day of the week. It is open every minute. In total, more than thirty thousand vessels moor here annually - it is so huge.
Port of Rotterdam consists of many harbors. Each of them has its own name and number, so it is impossible to confuse them. In addition, it has links with the whole country and other states through the railway.
The constant number of people living in this city is about 617 thousand, so it is one of the largest cities in the Netherlands, second only to Amsterdam in population.
The port even has a motto that reads: “Fortification in the struggle”.
History
This port originated in the Middle Ages. It was at this time that the harbors first appeared there. However, by the nineteenth century, the rivers connecting it with the sea routes were silted up, as a result of which the port of Rotterdam became difficult to access. Since it was in the 19th century that industry in the Ruhr region began to develop rapidly, the port became popular. So in 1830 he received a special channel.
Soon the number of ships passing here increased, and in 1872 the second channel connected the port directly to the sea. There are new harbors located on an island called IJsselmond. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, more and more harbors formed, as the port became larger. In 1958, an industrial petrochemical complex, one of the leading in the world, appeared in the port of Rotterdam. 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 goods brought into its territory is still growing ever since. In the period from 1962 to 2004, it was the largest in the world, but recently the port of Shanghai has this title. Despite this, he remains leading in Europe.
Port Activities
Currently, such a large port as Rotterdam is one of the most important in the world. The cargo flows processed here mostly consist of minerals such as ore and coal. In addition, refined products and crude oil also come here. In total, the port has five harbors for receiving black gold, which include 68 berths.
Many people interested in shipbuilding visit the Netherlands. Port of Rotterdam is a place where life is in full swing. Ferries work here, ships are being repaired, and shipyards are also located. If you call the exact numbers, then you can count 8 enterprises intended for ship repair.
Rotterdam is not only a seaport. More than two hundred thousand river vessels, more precisely 250, moor in its marinas annually. It is part of a widely ramified railway system. In addition, here is one of the largest airports in Holland. 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, spies were actively involved in the port.
Tours
Port of Rotterdam is not only a leader among world 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 both 75 minutes and two and a half hours. In summer, you can take part in the tour at least several times a day, even at night.
The excursion program is designed in such a way that everyone can see the most interesting things. For example, moorings, docks, warehouses, containers brought from all over the world will not go unnoticed. At night, tourists have the opportunity to see the romantic Rotterdam - a port city, illuminated by thousands of lights and spotlights.
