Rotterdam, Capelle aan den IJssel and Prince Alexander

The port of Rotterdam is the largest port and industrial complex in Europe and is possibly even more famous than the highest tower in the Netherlands, which is located in the same city: the Euromast. A system of port basins and industrial estates, located directly on the North Sea, is used 24 hours a day for the supply and removal, storage and transhipment of goods. The port has no obstacles such as locks, bridges or tidal restrictions and around 1,000 ports worldwide are connected to Rotterdam. This port was even the largest in the world, until it was overtaken by Shanghai.

Not only will you get a good idea of the influx of (freight) traffic over the water, but you will also explore the easternmost district of Rotterdam: Prins Alexander, which was built in the Prins Alexanderpolder. That polder was drained between 1865 and 1874, at the time to be used as agricultural land. A total of fourteen puddles were drained. When Rotterdam wanted to expand its residential and employment sectors, farmers had to leave the area. This allowed a new district to be built, in which old elements are united with modern buildings.