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Visit the Major Cities in the Netherlands

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Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital of the nation, but surprisingly is not the capitol of its province and is also not the seat of the government in the nation of Netherlands - which is The Hague. The first thing people notice about Amsterdam is the diverse culture that inhabits the city. Over half of the populace of the city of Amsterdam is non-Dutch residents and most are extremely proud of their heritage, which shows in the numerous festivals and conventions that are held in the city of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is also home to many attractions. Two of the most popular museums, the Van Gogh museum and the Rijks museum, hold some of the most famous pieces of art in the world. Plus these two museums are about 150 feet from each other, which makes a day of art viewing incredibly easy. You can also walk by the canals that surround and run though the city on your way to the Anne Frank House. The Anne Frank House museum tells the story of the Frank family as they went into seclusion from the Nazi's as they avoided being sent to a work/death camp because of their Jewish Heritage.

Rotterdam
The port city of Rotterdam has long enjoyed being one of the largest and busiest ports in the world. It is the largest port in Europe and is currently third in the world behind Shanghai and Singapore. Basically Rotterdam is the connecting point for much of central Europe - as resources come into the port in Rotterdam they are loaded up and sent to other parts of the continent by train and truck. It is also the second biggest city in the nation of Netherlands - right behind Amsterdam. Between Boijmans-van Beuningen Museum, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Rotterdam Academy of Fine Arts there are no arguments why Rotterdam was named one of the European Cultural Capitals in 2001. In fact Rotterdam is not stopping or resting on their laurels because the inner city is having a cultural renovation in regards to their artwork.

The Hague
The Hague, or Den Haag, is the place of government for the province of South Holland and the entire nation of the Netherlands, yet it is not the capitol city of the nation. The Hague is the home of the upper house of parliament, the Senate and the "Second Chamber." The Hague is also the home of the monarch of the country. Currently the monarch, Queen Beatrix, works and lives in The Hague. Also it is the home of almost all the foreign embassies to the nation of the Netherlands as well as many different international organizations.

Despite the political happenings in the parliament buildings in The Hague, it is still known as a "boring" town by many Dutch residents and tourists to the country. However, there are some things to do if you find yourself in this city with the many museums that tend to focus on the historical aspects of the nation of Netherlands and the top premier league team, ADO Den Haag.

Maastricht
Maastricht may have one of the most beautiful locations in the Netherlands simply because of the countries that surround it. It is located in the Southeastern corner of Netherlands, and is surrounded by Germany and Belgium. Maastricht is also known as one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, though there is a bit of contention as to fact. The largest pulling point for tourism is the center square in the city named Markt. On Wednesdays and Saturdays there is an open market, and almost every afternoon and evening holds something new in this city square. With quite a few schools of higher education, Maastricht has become a student favorite through Europe. The large cosmopolitan has a small town flavor that makes it incredibly inviting.

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