Inner city of The Hague Netherlands

The city of The Hague originated in the Middle Ages around the Hofvijver and the Binnenhof, now the centre of Dutch politics. The Dutch government and parliament are located in the city, and it is the residence of the royal family,[3] as well as most embassies, all ministries and the Supreme Court in The Hague. In addition, the city is the seat of several national and international courts, including the International Court of Justice in the Peace Palace and the International Criminal Court. Around 1900 it also hosted the two peace conferences in The Hague, where important international agreements on the law of war were made.

The Hague is the largest Dutch city on the North Sea and has a coastline of eleven kilometres. Because of its location on the North Sea, The Hague has been an international tourist resort since the 19th century. The city has two seaside resorts: Scheveningen and Kijkduin. There is also a wide sandy beach with a row of dunes. Scheveningen - formerly a fishing village - has a regional harbour. In the 19th century the city produced an influential art movement, the Hague School, and houses with the Mauritshuis and the Art Museum The Hague (for modern art) two internationally renowned art museums.