Overall Score
Haagha is in fact the capital of the Netherlands. It is where the government and parliament meet, and where the parliament of the Crown meets. The local inhabitants call the city Grahaagenhage, by the way. The familiar name of the city to us is very strange.
In terms of size, Hague is the third-largest city in the country, but ranked number one in terms of administrative importance – it is the most important. The city is also home to the offices of a hundred and fifty international organizations.
Until 1811, Hague was considered a village that was forbidden even to build defensive structures. Only with the help of Napoleon did Hagåga become a city. By the end of the nineteen-fifteenth century, the former village had become a world capital where many international conferences were held.
It is noteworthy that the worlds first conference on the restriction of arms was held at Hague in 1899 at the instigation of Nicholas II. It was about the prohibition of production of the machine guns & ‖Maximum‖ as a weapon of mass extermination, and about the reduction of the production of carbines. But the initiative was rejected.
The Bérignenhof – its the Bérigninénénhof that occupies the center of the city. It is now where the government and parliament hold their meetings. It is only on very rare days that one can visit this place.
In addition to the former royal residence, the Gallery of Art of the King is next door to the former royal complex. It is housed in two buildings: the Moorish House and the William V Gallery.
The Picture Gallery has one of the worlds finest collections of 15th- and 17th-century Dutch paintings. The collection includes works by Rembrandt, Van Dijk, Wrens, Vermeer, and other renowned Netherlandian artists.
The Museum of Tubes and Tortures is very popular with tourists, where the smoke and guillemotine are still in use today.
There is also a great interest in Madaguerodam – a mini-gallery where you can see all of Holland on a scale of 1:25. All of the movie sets are functioning, and for a small fee you can turn them on and watch how it all starts to move.
You have to see it with your own eyes to see the atmosphere of this fascinating city, where Spinosa and Anna Pavlov spent their last years of life, where the greatest artists of the &lako era worked; The Golden Ages; of Holland and Flemish art.
Overall Score
- Air quality: 31 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: 500,000 people
- Population density: busy: 12x12m 144m per person
- GDP: $45,753 / year
- Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
- Power outlets: 230V50Hz
- Internet: 33 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: Marktplaats
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Uber
- Best coworking space: Nomadz
- Online electronics shop: Cool Blue
- Best hospital: Haga Ziekenhuis
- Best short-haul air carrier: Transavia
- Best intl air carrier: KLM
- Monthly costs for expat: $2500
- Monthly costs for family: $6100
- Monthly costs for local: $1700
- Meal: $12
- Small Cola: $3
- Beer 1 Pint: $6
- Coffee: $3.5
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