Previous Attendees:
Rotterdam is one of the most important ports in the world, the second city and the industrial heart of the Netherlands and the economic, social and cultural centre of the Rijnmond (Rhine Estuary) region. In addition, Rotterdam is a city of modern architecture, events, leisure and recreation. More than one million people from 162 countries live in the Rotterdam region.
Rotterdam was founded in the mid 13th century after a dam had been constructed in the River Rotte on the site of the present Hoogstraat. Rotterdam received municipal rights in 1340. Over the centuries Rotterdam grew from a fishing village into an international centre of trade, transport, industry and distribution. At the beginning of the Second World War, on 14 May 1940, virtually the entire city centre was devastated by a German bombardment. This explains why scarcely any pre-war buildings have remained in this part of Rotterdam. After the war, reconstruction of what had been destroyed was given the highest priority. Now, many years later, a new, modern city centre has risen from the ashes. The avant-garde architecture is famous at home and abroad.
Longstanding trading spirit, in combination with the position of the port has made Rotterdam the trading city of the Netherlands. A center of increasing economic activity where entrepreneurs quickly feel at home in both their business and private lives.
About a thousand international companies have already chosen Rotterdam as their base for European and worldwide business activities. These companies, both large and small, come from all over the world: 300 from the United States, 200 from Asian countries and 500 from various European countries.
16,254,900
Name: Euro Code: EUR Symbol: €
For up to date currency conversion rates please go to http://www.xe.com/
220V – 240V 50Hz
GMT/UTC +1 (Standard Time)
If you are not sure as to whether or not you will require a visa to travel to The Netherlands, http://www.minbuza.nl/en/welcome/comingtoNL,visas_x_consular_services/index.html has a list of countries requirements as well as detailed information about the Singapore consulate in each country around the world.
For up-to-date weather forecasts for your trip to Rotterdam the following link provides both °C and °F for your preference http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/06344.html as well as extended forecast.
To make Rotterdam easier for you to navigate, the following link has a facility for you to print region maps & street maps with accuracy http://travel.yahoo.com/p-map-191501779-map_of_rotterdam-i
The horizontal nature of the countryside makes the humble bicycle the ideal device for getting around, though there are decent train and bus networks to transport those with pedal-weary feet. You can also drive or motorcycle around, but only if you have an impeccable sense of direction and a knack for finding parking spaces.
With bus transport, tramways and a modern underground metro system, Rotterdam has never been so easy to travel around. The public transportation network operating in Rotterdam is easy to understand and cheap to use, although only on Fridays and Saturdays do buses run after midnight. The following site www.ns.nl allows you to pre-plan routes, cost, method of transport and estimated time it will take to and from your destination.
Despite the wealth of transport options available, the water taxis provide scenic views and a little sightseeing along the way. If you find the need for taxi transport, central ranks are easy to come by, or alternatively you can book taxis by telephone.
The kubus or cubic houses were designed by Piet Blom. He saw his design as a tree and the entire complex as a forest. Blom’s idea was to design a kind of village within a big city, a safe oasis where various functions could come to fruition. The KijkKubus is the fully furnished museum home in the Blaakse Bos. The interior was specially designed to give visitors an impression of how you can live in a cube home. Models, photo panels and screens offer additional information. For more information please visit www.kubuswoning.nl for a map to the houses please visit http://tools.locatienet.com/location/map.asp?zoom=2&config_id=1034&zipcode=3011mh&markertekst=Kijk%2Dkubus
The new high-speed automatic elevators take you up to the platforms, which are an experience all on their own. Then take the Space Cabin to experience the sensation of a rocket launch, slowly spinning in orbit up to a height of 185 meters.
The Euromast in Rotterdam, the highest lookout tower in the Netherlands, is not easily surpassed. When it was built in 1960 in honour of the international garden festival, the Floriade, it rose 104 meters above the city and its industrious port. During the ten years after its construction, other buildings were built in the Netherlands, rising toward the heavens with the aim of achieving a certain status. By 1970, the Euromast still rose higher than all the other structures. A Space Tower was set atop its mighty shoulders, bringing the Euromast to its current impressive height of 185 meters. Visit www.euromast.nl for more information.
See the construction of the 18th-century ship of the line De Delft, a ship that fits in perfectly with the history and image of the historic Delfshaven harbour. At every visit to the wharf, you’ll see the ship grow to its final, impressive length of 63 meters. De Delft will be one of the biggest replicas in the world! You can look behind the scenes at the workplaces where traditional craftsmen are hard at work, see the extensive exhibition and watch the film, and admire the progress being made on the ship by the quay. For more information please visit www.dedelft.nl.
This information was sourced from the following websites:
http://www.professionaltravelguide.com/ http://www.rotterdam.world-guides.com/ http://www.rotterdam.info http://www.rotterdam.com/
