Red-light district
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![Amsterdam has a large red light district called De Wallen, where prostitutes sell their services and a number of sex shops and other sex-related businesses are located.](/Images/godic/202502/06/De_Wallen1000.JPG")
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![Red Light district in Frankfurt, Germany](/Images/godic/202502/06/Rotlichviertel_Frankfurt_Main1000.JPG")
A red-light district is a part of an urban area where a concentration of prostitution and sex-oriented businesses, such as sex shops, strip clubs, adult theaters, etc. is found. The term originates from the red lights that were used as signs of brothels. Areas in many big cities around the world have acquired an international reputation as red-light districts.