Editing Haarlem (section)

====Tulip centre====
Since the 1630s, Haarlem has been a major trading centre for tulips, and it was at the epicentre during [[tulip mania]], when outrageous prices were paid for [[tulip]] bulbs. From the opening of the Leiden-Haarlem canal [[Leidsevaart]] in 1656, it became popular to travel from [[Rotterdam]] to Amsterdam by passenger boat rather than by coach. The canals were dug for passenger service only, and were comfortable though slow. The [[towpath]] led these passengers through the bulb fields south of Haarlem. 

Haarlem was an important stopover for passengers from the last half of the 17th century and through the 18th century until the building of the first rail tracks along the routes of former passenger canal systems. As Haarlem slowly expanded southwards, so did the bulb fields. Today, rail passengers between Rotterdam and Amsterdam in spring can see blooming bulb fields on the route between Leiden and Haarlem.

[[File:Haarlem - Koudenhorn 2 (politiebureau).JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|left|Many government-owned buildings are national heritage sites, such as the local police headquarters located on the Koudenhorn 2. Originally built as the Dutch Reformed "Diaconie" (poor house and orphanage) in 1768, it was built to house up to 900 people, indicating the extent of the economic crisis in Haarlem that had resulted from losing shipping power to Amsterdam.]]