Rotterdam Live Cam

Belgium, Antwerp, partner city from before 1940

Antwerp with its half a million inhabitants, is the largest city in Belgium. The city lies on the banks of the Schelde and is a port of world standing - it is the fourth largest in the world. The city Antwerp originated from the merging of seven different districts. The conurbation of Antwerp now consists of fourteen boroughs. Antwerp influences the wider surrounding areas in the sectors of government, economics, education and culture. The economic importance and the industrial strengths of the city come from its extensive harbour areas along the river Schelde with excellent connections to the rest of the European continent. In addition to being a world port, Antwerp is also an international centre for trade in rough and polished diamonds.

Belgium, Liege, sister city since 1958

Liege is the capital city of the province also called Liege. In 1990 the city, lying mainly in the Maas valley, had a population in excess of 200,000; the fourth largest in Belgium. The city lies at the point where the rivers Ourthe and Vesdre flow into the Maas. The city plays important roles for trade, industry, services, culture and education. There is an important inland harbour, along the Albert Canal. In addition, the city lies at an intersection of railways and motorways. The Maas, which divides the city into two, is crossed by 16 bridges.

Germany, Dresden, sister city since 1980

Dresden is the capital city of the state Saksen and has 520,000 residents. The city lies on the river the Elbe. During the allied bombing on the 13th February 1945, 35,000 people lost their lives and the city was completely reduced to ash and ruins. The city, before the war its nickname was the Florence on the Elbe, was rebuilt. Many old buildings have been completely restored to their original state. Dresden was originally a Slavic fishing village on the Elbe. Her name comes from the Slavic word Drezga, which means wood.

Germany, Duisburg, partner city since 1950

The industrial city Duisburg has a population of 530,000 and in situated in the middle of the economical heart of Germany, the Ruhr region. The city harbour, thanks to its favourable geographical position at the confluence of the Ruhr and the Emscher with the Rhine, has grown into the largest inland port in Europe and is one of the most important ports in Germany. The port consists of more than 30 harbour mouths and has 40 km of embankments. The port mainly handles ores, coal, building materials and mineral oils. This is because of the industrial activities in the areas round the city, such as the production and processing of copper, zinc, iron, steel, machines, chemical products, ship building and building materials. As much as 40% of Germanys total production of iron comes from Duisburg.

Germany, Hamburg, partner city since 1950

The port Hamburg on the Elbe has 1.6 million inhabitants and is the second largest city in Germany. Only Berlin being larger. Port and city are located 110 km from the North Sea. Hamburg processes 37.5% of the total goods turnover in Germany, making it the largest and most import port in Germany. In addition to countless canals, the city also has a complex rail and road infrastructure, which enables goods to be quickly transported to Middle and Eastern Europe. The city, which was almost completely rebuild after the large fire of 1842, was heavily bombed by the allies during the second world war. But the signs of this destruction have disappeared due to restoration and rebuilding.

Germany, Cologne, sister city since 1958

Cologne is the fifth largest city in Germany, population 946,000, and lies in Nordhrein Westfalen, along the river Rhine. The industry is dominated by the car, motor and machine industries. The oil, which is refined there, comes by pipeline from Rotterdam. The city plays a central function within the region for trade, industry, services, culture and tourism, and is also an important traffic interchange. The Cologne Cathedral is an impressive sight in the centre of the city. The cathedral has two towers, each 156 m high, and was built between 1248 and 1880 following the French example. It was the first gothic church in the Rhineland. The history of the city goes back to the settlement of Oppidum Uborium, capital city of the kingdom of the Ubii, who lived there around 38 BC.

Germany, Nurenberg, partner city since 1961

Nurenberg, a city with a population of nearly half a million, is the governmental, economic, service and cultural centre of North Beieren. The city has an inland harbour on the Rhine-Main-Danube canal. Before the allied bombing on 2nd January 1945, which destroyed large parts of the city, Nurenberg was one of the best preserved cities dating from the middle ages in Germany. During the rebuilding, an effort was made to restore the old city centre as it was. This can be seen for example by the four km long city walls which, together with the towers and the stronghold have been rebuild. Also the churches in the centre have been restored. The history of the city goes back to the year 1000, when the citadel Nourenbuc was built at the intersection of two trading routes.

England, Hull, partner city since 1936

Kingston-upon-Hull lies in the basin of the river Humber, about 35 km from the North Sea Coast. The industrial city has a population of a quarter of a million and is an important trade and fishing harbour. The port is connected to the Midlands by canals. Originally the harbour was built by monks for the trade in wool. The city itself was established as recently as 1293 by King Edward 1 and was build on both banks of the river Hull, which flows into the Humber. During the second World War a large part of this city was bombed by the Germans.

France, Lille, sister city since 1958

Lille has 178,000 inhabitants and is a large industrial city in Northern France. It fulfils key functions in industrial, administrative and educational areas. The city has an inland harbour on the river-canal the Deule, two airports and lies at an intersection of railways and motorways. The name Lille comes from the name of an island, l'ile, that used to be in the Deule. During the eleventh century, Boudewijn V, Duke of Vlaanderen, built a stronghold here. This started as a trading settlement and later grew into the present day city Lille. The 1713 peace treaty of Utrecht gave France the sovereignty over this city.

Italy, Turin, sister city since 1958

Turin is the capital city of the region Piemonte, and lies at the place where the Dora Riparia flows into the river Po. The city has a population of one million and is one of the five largest cities in Italy. Her most important functions concern industrial (car manufacturer Fiat) and service sectors. Although Turin is one of the most modern cities in Italy, the city townscape is dominated by the 165 m high tower of the Mole Antonelliana which dates from 1863. The towers were originally built as a Synagogue and are now the city's symbol. Turin was the capital city of the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 to 1865.

Luxemburg, Esch-sur-Alzette, sister city since 1958

Since 1870, Esch-sur-Alzette has been one of the most important centres for the iron refining and steel industry of Europe. Although the iron and steel industry has had to cut back after the mines closed in the 1960's and since then Esch-sur-Alzette has had to import the raw materials, the region is now the fourth largest steel producer in Europe. The city, in the Grand Duchy Luxemburg, has a population of 25,000 and is the second largest city in the country as well as being the capital city of the Kanton Esch. In addition to the iron industry, the city is involved in the chemical, cement and artificial fertiliser industries. The city has an Academy of Music and a Technical High School. The museum for the Resistance 1940-1945 is also established here.

Norway, Oslo, partner city since 1945

Oslo is the capital city of the kingdom of Norway. The city lies on the Oslo Fjord, and with its population in excess of 460,000 it is the largest city in the country. The surroundings are hilly with many forests, rivers and lakes. The port, which icebreakers keep open all winter, is of crucial importance to the country. As much as 40% of the imports and 20% of all exports are handled by this port. Oslo is the governmental centre of Norway and the royal residence. The city also plays a central role for Norway in the areas of industry, culture and science. The Nobel peace prize is presented annually in the Nobel Institute. The city was first established in 1050 by King Hardrade. In 1877 the city was renamed Kristiania, but in 1925 the city became capital city of Norway and was her original name was reinstated.

Switzerland, Basel, partner city since 1945

Basel, situated in the German speaking part of Switzerland has 170,000 inhabitants and is second only to Zurich in size. It's trade and industry sector are of fundamental importance to the Swiss economy. The port is one of the most important inland ports of Europe and is also the begin and end point for the Rhine Shipping. At Basel the Rhine divides into two. The urban area round Basel spreads out over Switzerland, Germany and France. The airport, for example, lies near the French town of Mulhouse. The museums and art fairs in Basel are of international importance to the art world. The city centre is dominated by splendid, old buildings. The red council house, build in the renaissance style and dating from 1508 is a good example of this. The burial place of Erasmus, who died in Basel in 1536, can be found in the church dating from 1019 in the centre of town. The history of the city goes back to the Roman camp Basilea.

Middle and Eastern Europe

Russian Federation (GOS), St. Petersburg, sister city since 1984

Saint Petersburg is, in addition to being a large industrial city, the most important port in the Russian Federation. The city lies on the Gulf of Finland and as port it is of vital importance to trade both inland and abroad. The city was established in 1703 by the Tsar Peter the Great and built (originally) on 101 islands in the Neva Delta, only one or two metres above sea level. A 25 km long dam was finished at the beginning of the 1990's to protect the city from being flooded. In 1989 the city had a population of five million, and the architectural character of the town development is based on the ideas of Peter the Great who made this city his official residence in 1712.

Bulgaria, Burgas, sister city since 1976

The Bulgarian city Burgas is an important port on the Black Sea, with a population of about 190,000. The local economy is dominated by industry and tourism. Burgas is the capital city of the district with the same name, and together with other coastal cities on the Black Sea it forms the Bulgarian Rivičra.