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Haarlem is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, capital of the North Holland province. The city is located by the river Spaarne, about 20 km west of Amsterdam and near the coastal dunes. It is the center of a flower-growing district and the export point for bulbs, especially tulips.
The municipality of Haarlem also comprises the village of Spaarndam.
The motto of Haarlem is Vicit vim virtus, which is Latin for Virtue conquered force.
The city is famous for its many hofjes: almshouses built in courtyards. These were mainly privately funded houses for elder single women. Nowadays there are 19 hofjes in Haarlem; many open to public on weekdays. Many hofjes are still owned by the original foundations, and are still mainly used for single (elderly) women.
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