Red-light district

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A red-light district is a part of an urban area where there is a concentration of prostitution and sex-oriented businesses, such as sex shops, strip clubs, adult theaters, etc. The term originates from the red lights that were used as signs of brothels.[1] There are areas in many big cities around the world which have acquired an international reputation as red-light districts.[2] Some red-light districts have acquired a touristic interest beyond sex tourism, and can be perceived as places of artistic, historic or cultural interest, whether or not they still serve the sex trade.

A scene in Sonagachi, Kolkata in the year 2005.

Origins of term[edit]

De Wallen red-light district in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Red Light district in Frankfurt, Germany


One of the many terms used for a red-light district in Japanese is akasen (赤線?), literally meaning "red-line." (This has independent origins from the same term in English.) Japanese police drew a red line on maps to indicate the boundaries of legal red-light districts. In Japanese, the term aosen (青線?), literally meaning "blue-line," also exists, indicating a non-legal district.

In the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries, the term sporting district became popular for legal red-light districts. Municipal governments typically defined such districts explicitly to contain and regulate prostitution.[6]


Legal issues[edit]

Most mid- and big-size cities around the world have red-light districts, although the legality of the activities that occur in these areas, the degree of openness with which they are conducted, as well as the views of the general public and the authorities on these districts differ widely around the world.

Some red-light districts (such as De Wallen, Netherlands, or Reeperbahn, Germany) are places which are officially designated by authorities for legal and regulated prostitution.[2] Often these red-light districts were formed by authorities to help regulate prostitution and other related activities, such that they were confined to a single area.[7] With the confining of such industries to a single area, such districts became a destination for originally sailors but also tourists.

Other red-light districts such as those from Thailand, and most parts of Asia, are areas which are unofficially monitored by the authorities: in spite of the illegality of prostitution in these places, the practice is tolerated and controlled by officials, and little is done to reduce or eliminate it.[citation needed]

See also[edit]


  2. ^ a b "History of the Red light District « What you should know about Amsterdam". Retrieved 2012-09-01. 
  4. ^ Barra, Allen (2009). Inventing Wyatt Earp: His Life and Many Legends, p. 8 and note. University ofress. ISBN 0-8032-2058-8.
  6. ^ Woolston, Howard Brown (1921). Prostitution in the United States.. New York: The Century Company. p. 105–107. ISBN 978-0-217-03857-7. 

External links[edit]

Media related to Red-light districts at Wikimedia Commons