De Wallen

De Wallen, also known as Walletjes or Rosse Buurt, is the largest and best-known red-light district in

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Amsterdam, a major tourist attraction. It is a network of alleys containing several hundred tiny one-room apartments rented by female prostitutes (and some ladyboys) who offer their services from behind a window. It also has a number of sex shops, sex theatres, peep shows, a sex museum, a cannabis museum, and a number of coffee shops offering various cannabis products.

Related Topics:
Amsterdam - Prostitute - Ladyboys - Sex shop - Sex theatre - Peep show - Sex museum - Cannabis - Coffee shops

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De Wallen is located at {{coor dms|52|22|24.3|N|4|53|53.0|E|region:NL_type:landmark}}, in the heart of the oldest part of Amsterdam, covering several blocks south of the church Oude Kerk and crossed by several canals. The red light district has existed since the 14th century and formerly contained many distilleries, mainly catering to sailors.

Related Topics:
Oude Kerk - 14th century

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Prostitution is generally legal in the Netherlands, however some of the working women are illegal immigrants. Health and social services are readily available, but the women are not required to undergo regular health checks. The women are self-employed and rent the rooms for some 100-150 euros per 8 hour shift, which includes closed-circuit security. Condoms are generally used for sexual contact, although not always with oral sex. Twenty minutes of sex generally costs about 40 to 50 euros. However, Asian and Black women can sometimes be procured for about 30 to 35 euros. (Prices as of 2005.)

Related Topics:
Netherlands - Euro - Condom - As of 2005

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The sale of soft drugs in licensed coffee shops, while technically illegal, is officially tolerated and not prosecuted; the (quite common) sale of harder drugs in the streets is illegal and prosecuted. (See: drug policy of the Netherlands.)

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