Overall Score
On the banks of the Sparrow River lies the small city of Harlem, the capital of northern Holland. Twenty kilometers away is Amsterdam. It is located in the urban area of Amsterdam and is surrounded by the tulip fields. Its not far from the North Sea coast, only 7 kilometers away. Charlemagne is also known as “The City of Flowers.
The citys origins date back to the 10th century. Over time, the small village benefited from its advantageous location as a developing city surrounded by fortifications. In the 12th century there was a division of the Gallic Graces. Charlemagnes knights took part in the 5th Crusade, during which the port of Doumitage was conquered. The city was awarded the right to depict a cross and an engraved sword on its coat of arms for its military service. In November 1245, Charlemagne became a city.
In the first half of the 17th century, a wave of immigrants, including artists, textile specialists and merchants, came to the city. Soon the city began to develop successfully silk and linen weaving enterprises, as well as a trade. Architecture has reached its peak. Many of the buildings built in the 17th century have survived to this day. Famous architects of the period were Jean Van Campen and Levin de Cay. Among the famous buildings they designed were the Beef Yard, the city hall, the chapel, the hall of God, the hall of measures and weights, and the church of St. Anne. After the reconstruction, the railway station was rebuilt. The new building was done in an art deco style. The birthday of Queen Wilhelmina in 1911 was marked by the first flight by Focker on the airplane he created. The flight over the church of St. Beauvain was the beginning of the aviation engineers career.
The present city has successfully preserved historic buildings and structures built in the past century. Among them are the Central Market Square of the Grote Market; the Guardhouse, dating from the 13th century; St. Lawrence Church in the 14th century, the 14th-century structure, the Meat Yards in the 14th century, the 1600s, the Wöllengagen Villa, and the Harlemherhoutt Park, the oldest in the Netherlands.
Overall Score
- Air quality: 15 US AQI Good. Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
- Tap water: Yes, safe to drink
- Religious government: Non-religious
- Population: 160,000 people
- Population density: busy: 14x14m 196m per person
- GDP: $45,753 / year
- Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
- Power outlets: 230V50Hz
- Internet: 30 Mbps
- Best wireless: Lebara
- Pay without cash: No, cash only esp. for foreigners because Albert Heijn still doesnt accept CC
- Tipping: In the Netherlands tipping is expected in restaurants for good or exceptional service, around 5-10% of the bill. If the service was average, you can round-up the bill or leave the change. Give your tip to the service person directly. Don’t tip for bad service.
- Apartment listings: AirBnb
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Uber
- Online electronics shop: Cool Blue
- Best short-haul air carrier: KLM
- Best intl air carrier: KLM
- Monthly costs for expat: $2900
- Monthly costs for family: $4600
- Monthly costs for local: $1350
- Meal: $19
- Small Cola: $2.5
- Beer 1 Pint: $6
- Coffee: $3.5
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