The Beautiful City of The Hague

The Hague is the third largest city in the Netherlands and is located on the North Sea in the west of the country. The city is officially named "'s-Gravenhage", literally meaning "the count's woods" in reference to its original use as hunting grounds for the Count of Holland in around the year 1230.
 
The city was used as an administrative centre for centuries, and it was not until the 19th century that it really began to be developed. As such, the city's historic parts date from around this time.
 
The Second World War took its toll on The Hague. German occupiers tore down large parts of the city to build fortifications and the Royal Air Force mistakenly bombed the Bezuidenhout neighbourhood.
 
Today The Hague is the country's seat of government, a legacy from the time the Netherlands and Belgium together formed the United Kingdom of Netherlands.
The Hague is now also home of more then 150 International Organisations like: International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and the European Patent Office. All foreign embassies and government ministries are located in The Hague, as well as the Dutch Supreme Court and Council of State. As a result, The Hague boosts a culturally rich population.
 
 
The Hague, Binnenhof, Home of the Dutch Government