The Hague is the majestic center of the government of the Netherlands and the world capital of peace and justice. Unlike bustling Amsterdam, The Hague projects an atmosphere of stately elegance, with wide avenues, royal palaces and historic embassies. It is a city where decisions that affect the entire world are made in institutions such as the Peace Palace and the International Criminal Court. However, this seriousness is balanced by a vibrant cultural scene, world-class museums housing masterpieces by Vermeer and Mondrian, and the North Sea breeze in its lively coastal district of Scheveningen. It is a sophisticated, international and surprisingly green city.