Rotterdam was founded in 1270 with a dam on the Rotte river. Granted city rights by William IV in 1340. Became Europe's largest seaport and major logistics centre. Nearly destroyed by German bombing during World War II
Founded in 1701 by Cadillac and Tonty as Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit. Named after Detroit River, meaning 'strait' in French. Became first state capital in 1837. Survived 1805 Great Detroit Fire with only stone fort and river warehouse
Fort Gatlin established in 1838 during Second Seminole War. Settled by Isaac and Aaron Jernigan in 1843. Named Orlando in 1857 after Shakespeare character or Orlando Reeves legend. Became county seat in 1856, incorporated as town in 1875
Las Vegas was named in 1829 by Spanish explorer Rafael Rivera for "the meadows". Native Americans inhabited the valley over 10,000 years ago. Area became US territory after Spanish-Mexican War. Mormon missionaries established fort in 1855, later abandoned
Native Americans inhabited region before European arrival. French explored area in 1620, followed by Dutch settlement. Holland Land Purchase ceded Iroquois land to Dutch in 1791. Buffalo Creek became permanent settlement in 1780
First European settlement in 1769 by Spanish explorers. Named after Mission San Francisco de Asís in 1776. Became city-county in 1856 after California statehood. Population grew from 1,000 to 25,000 during California Gold Rush