Monday 14 November 2011

Our World Tuesday, ABC Wednesday, R for Rotterdam Seaport


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R is for the city where my parents, one of my sisters and I were born, Rotterdam! Wikipedia says:"Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and the largest port in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre. Its strategic location at the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta on the North Sea and at the heart of a massive rail, road, air and inland waterway distribution system extending throughout Europe means that Rotterdam is often called the Gateway to Europe.







But the essence of Rotterdam is its huge, modern port. The largest port in Europe and one of the busiest ports in the world, the port of Rotterdam was the world's busiest port from 1962 to 2004, at which point it was surpassed by Shanghai. Rotterdam's commercial and strategic importance is based on its location near the mouth of the Nieuwe Maas (New Meuse), one of the channels in the delta formed by the Rhine and Meuse on the North Sea. These rivers lead directly into the centre of Europe, including the industrial Ruhr region."







Welcome to Our World Tuesday! This meme continues in memory of the work of Klaus Peter, whose "that's My World" brought people together from around the world every Monday to share the wonders therein--big and small.Please click on our new logo for "Our World Tuesday" in the sidebar.

With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.We started round 9 of the fascinating meme of ABC. For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar or Here. This week we are looking for words beginning with R.



31 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

Rotterdam's your port? I KNEW that!

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Kim, USA said...

It does look very busy. What I know of Netherlands is that all the huge ships, cargo ships, comes from there. Thank you for sharing information and photos do appreciate it. Happy Monday!

Indrani said...

Nice captures of the place. Hope to be there some day.

Leslie: said...

Beautiful photos and I learned quite a bit here today! I knew about Rotterdam, but now how it influences so much of Europe. Now that I've clicked to "follow" you, I hope I'll be over more often. :D Have a great week, Wil.

Leslie
abcw team

Esther Garvi said...

What a tidy port! How big is Rotterdam these days? My sister-in-law is from a "little" village (Ridderkerk) not far from Rotterdam...

Sylvia K said...

What a marvelous post and tour for the day, Wil! Your photos are terrific as always and, as always, the history you include is fascinating! Thank you for sharing your part of our world! Hope you have a lovely week!

Sylvia

EG CameraGirl said...

Until I read this, I had no idea Rotterdam was such a large port.

Dianne said...

What a wealth of activity would occur in this oh! so busy port - it would be facinating to just sit somewhere and watch and I'm sure Will you would have done that many a time!
Thanks for this glimpse into your corner of the world.

Rajesh said...

Wonderful shots from seaport.Thanks for sharing.

Vagabonde said...

Rotterdam a vraiment l’air d’être une ville intéressante et que j’aimerais bien visiter – surtout si je pouvais me promener en bateau dans le port!

Kay L. Davies said...

Fabulous photos, Wil. We didn't really see much of Rotterdam as we were there in the evening and at night. I've seen documentaries about the port, and the size of the ships it can handle—just amazing.
Thanks for sharing your port with us. I think it is a fascinating place.

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

Arkansas Patti said...

I love how I learn here, just wish I could retain it for the quiz.
If that is a bridge, what an amazing design.

Kay said...

This sounds like a very interesting, bustling and exciting port city.

Anonymous said...

What a huge port! Love those dramatic skies.

Anonymous said...

That is one amazing-looking bridge! You captured the seaport wonderfully. The history behind your posts is always interesting.

anthonynorth said...

That's a big port.

photowannabe said...

Gorgeous photos of a magical place. I do like the mixture of old and new. I didn't realize what a large seaport it is.

??? said...

I love watching busy ports, but I've never been to Rotterdam. I think I should visit :)

Chronicles of Illusions said...

i loved Rotterdam Will - I really hope one day to go back and spend some more time in Nederland - I have so many wonderful memories of the years I spent there.

Hildred said...

Love the history and all the pertinent facts about Rotterdam - an exciting port with all the comings and goings.

genie said...

This is one busy harbor. Loved seeing the bridge again from a different viewpoint. Lots of big ships. genie

J.Rylie.C said...

I love your second shot!

My R is about Raking Leaves, please come and see.

Tumblewords: said...

Spectacular!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Such a beautiful port.

Rosary Beads

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

bRRRRRR!!!! It looks cold there right now in Rotterdam! But, beautiful and magnificent.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Had no idea the Rotterdam port was that big. Love the modernistic design of your bridge.

Red Nomad OZ said...

How exciting to be in the largest port in the world! So much happening - and so beautiful, no matter what the weather!

Have a great day!!

Francisca said...

Being of Dutch ancestry (and having a Dutch passport until 1980), I've visited NL many times and seen a lot of the country. Yet I don't recall ever being in Rotterdam. Great post for both memes, Wil.

Nanka said...

This is very nostalgic for me and I read and re-read your post very carefully!! You have such beautiful captures here!! Fascinating place!!

My R post is here.

Louis la Vache said...

A great post, Wil.

«Louis» understands why this port was so bitterly fought for in World War II and why it was the object of Hitler's push through the Ardennes in what became known as The Battle of The Bulge.

Roger Owen Green said...

Wil - THANKS.