This Could Be Rotterdam... Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rhine

Rotterdam, Europe's largest port, is dominated by the Nieuwe Maas which is a distributary of the Rhine (Rijn in Dutch). The sources of the Rhine are nestled away in the Swiss Alps and the river, in the main, flows northbound; long stretches of the Rhine are used as natural frontiers, forming fragments of the border between Switzerland and Liechtenstein as well as that between France and Germany, to name just a few.

The hydrogeography of the Rhine in the Netherlands takes a bit of working out as the river interacts with other water systems such as the Meuse / Maas and the Scheldt / Schelde to form Europe's largest delta.

The distributaries, including the Nieuwe Maas, all lead to the North Sea.

Answer: The Hague

The Netherlands is not a large country and travel between any two Dutch cities can usually be completed within a few hours. In the south of the country there is a cluster of cities, some well known and others internationally obscure, that form the Rotterdam - The Hague metropolitan area.

In addition to the two cities that lend their name to the region, the metropolitan area also boasts the charming cities of Delft and Schiedam, amongst others.

Answer: Bridge

Erasmus of Rotterdam is perhaps more widely known for an educational exchange scheme, open to students across Europe, that has made use of his name. On a day-to-day basis in Rotterdam however, the name Erasmus is most likely to be heard in relation to the striking bridge (bascule and cable-stayed) that crosses the windy Nieuwe Maas. Referred to locally as 'De Zwaan' or 'The Swan' on account of the shape of the bent pylon on its south end, the Erasmusbrug is a site that should not be missed - and indeed surely cannot be missed - by any visitor to Rotterdam.

Answer: North Sea

The Netherlands is in a constant battle with the North Sea and the ingenuity of the Dutch when it comes to reclaiming and preserving their land can be seen in the technology and infrastructure dotted along its coastline. The Maeslant Barrier is an example of a defence mechanism that is used to protect Rotterdam and its surrounds from storm surges.

This impressive piece of engineering is also a victory for automation as the process of opening and closing the Maeslant Barrier is controlled entirely by computation.

Answer: Yes

It is not a coincidence that I have visited the Netherlands so frequently given my interest in infrastructure, and for its infrastructure Rotterdam is of some renown. If it is particularly blustery, and traversing the Erasmusbrug doesn't appeal, then how about a stroll through the Maastunnel? The construction of the tunnel, with its distinctive rectangular shape, was completed in the middle of WWII (1942) and is made use of by pedestrians, motorists and cyclists.

Answer: Schiedam

Schiedam is one of my favourite cities in which to stay when visiting the Netherlands. The Dutch railway network is generally superb and Schiedam is connected by rail to Rotterdam, Amsterdam, The Hague, Leiden, Utrecht and Schiphol Airport. Just a short walk from Schiedam Centrum station is De Noord, the largest windmill in the world*, as well as the serene Lange Haven, a canal best seen at night. Part way along the Lange Haven is a reminder of the Netherlands of old and it takes the form of Appelmarktbrug, a traditional Dutch canal bridge dating back to the 1860s.

* Does not include turbines.

Answer: Canal

From a foreign perspective, when one thinks of Dutch canals, Amsterdam and Delft are perhaps the first to come to mind. Rotterdam is likely to be low down on the list as its geography is based more around its rivers than its canals. Rotterdam's main canal will be familiar to art lovers though, as the Westersingel has a large variety of sculptures on the pathways flanking the waterway.

It even includes works of art from the likes of Picasso and Rodin.

Answer: Cubes

As you emerge from the depths of Blaak station, you see the Markthal (Market Hall) in one direction and the striking yellow cube houses in the opposite direction. The houses are certainly an architectural curiosity, with the cubes being tilted 45 degrees, but the jury is out on whether it provides a functional living space. That said, the experimental "kubuswoningen" do have permanent residents and one of the houses has been turned into a tourist attraction so that visitors can experience the interior for themselves.

The architect responsible for the quirky construction was Piet Blom.

Answer: Antwerp

Antwerp is a Belgian city situated on the Scheldt, a river that discharges into the North Sea. Antwerp is famous for being a key location in the diamond trade and the city's economic importance is evident in its majestic architecture. For the railway lover, Antwerpen-Centraal is worth a visit as a destination in its own right and not just as a means to travel to other locations such as Rotterdam.

Answer: Liverpool

As the crow flies, Liverpool is approximately 350 miles away from Rotterdam whilst Rome is a shade over 800 miles away. "Rotterdam (Or Anywhere)" peaked at number five in the UK charts and number eleven in Ireland but this offering from The Beautiful South didn't really register in other European charts.