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.
In the media and popular imagination, the countries most often associated with red-light districts and prostitution are Thailand and Netherlands, even though organized prostitution is illegal in Thailand and is legal or decriminalized in most western countries.
There are areas in many big cities around the world which have acquired an international reputation as red-light districts.
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.
