Light in the darkness

In many places in the Netherlands the night is no longer really dark, because of the sources of light in the most urbanised areas.

Current situation

The plethora of streetlights and other lighting illuminates much of the Netherlands at night, making the stars faint, even on moonless nights.

Most of the light radiating into the sky is from the cities, but the dark is also illuminated by smaller settlements with floodlit sports grounds and buildings, and by brightly lit dock complexes and big industrial areas, and the lights along main roads. The greenhouse complexes also emit much light.

Many people put a negative value on the lack of natural nocturnal darkness.