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Aalsmeer Flower Auction, the World's Largest
Annually Holland exports 800 million tulip flowers and two billion tulip bulbs. Typically this takes place through the Aalsmeer Flower Auction, which sells more flowers of all types than any other auction in the world. It also provides many plants.
Tulip Mania in the 1600's
Just as the Roaring 20's were followed by the 1929 Stock Market Crash in the U.S., Tulip Mania took Holland on an economic roller coaster ride in the 1600's. Popularity and prices of tulips escalated to the point that a single bulb was sold for the price of a home. People from all walks of life shifted their careers and fortunes to focus on the precious bulbs. Some families became wealthy while others entered the poorhouse over this infatuation with bulb futures.
Fascinating books such as The Tulip and Tulipmania recount the tales. Even Istanbul in the early 1700's, as well as the English and French, were not immune to similar tulip crazes.
Continue on this tour of Keukenhof to also read:
- Keukenhof's History
- Keukenhof Sightseeing Schedule and Directions
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