Amsterdam

Lore & Background

Amsterdam was founded at the mouth of the Amstel river, which was dammed to control flooding. Originally a small fishing village in the 12th century, Amsterdam became a major world port during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century, when the Netherlands was an economic powerhouse. Amsterdam was the leading centre for finance and trade, as well as a hub of secular art production. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded and new neighborhoods and suburbs were built. The city has a long tradition of openness, liberalism, and tolerance. Cycling is key to the city's modern character, and there are numerous biking paths and lanes spread throughout. The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, founded in 1602, is considered the oldest 'modern' securities market stock exchange in the world. As the commercial capital of the Netherlands and one of the top financial centres in Europe, Amsterdam is considered an alpha-world city. The city is the cultural capital of the Netherlands. Many large Dutch institutions have their headquarters in the city. Many of the world's largest companies are based in Amsterdam or have established their European headquarters there, such as technology companies Uber, Netflix, and Tesla. Although Amsterdam is the official capital of the Netherlands, it is not the seat of government. The main governmental institutions, and foreign embassies, are located in The Hague.

In Their Own Story

The autumn gales off the North Sea turned the harbor into a grey churn of spray. From the high windows of the city, the great merchant cogs sat at anchor, their holds full of Baltic timber, English wool, and spices from the far east. In the council hall, the Stadtholder watched the trade ledger with the quiet satisfaction of a man who knew that every guilder flowing through Amsterdam's node was a cannonball he could afford to load. To the south, French drums echoed across the border. To the east, a HRE duke sharpened his ambitions over a map. But here, in the salt-stained heart of the Republic, the coins still counted, and the Republic still stood.

Reader's Guide

Amsterdam's main attractions include its historic canals; the Rijksmuseum, the state museum with Dutch Golden Age art; the Van Gogh Museum; the Dam Square, where the Royal Palace of Amsterdam and former city hall are located; the Amsterdam Museum; Stedelijk Museum, with modern art; the Concertgebouw concert hall; the Anne Frank House; the Hortus Botanicus; NEMO; the red-light district and cannabis coffee shops. The city is known for its nightlife and festival activity, with several nightclubs among the world's most famous. Its artistic heritage, canals, and narrow canal houses with gabled façades, well-preserved legacies of the city's 17th-century Golden Age, have attracted millions of visitors annually. The Port of Amsterdam is the fourth largest in Europe. The KLM hub and Amsterdam's main airport, Schiphol, is the busiest airport in the Netherlands, and third in Europe. The Dutch capital is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with about 180 nationalities represented. Immigration and ethnic segregation in Amsterdam is a current issue.

Did You Know?

• Amsterdam was founded at the mouth of the Amstel river, which was dammed to control flooding.
• The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, founded in 1602, is considered the oldest 'modern' securities market stock exchange in the world.
• Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the 'Venice of the North' for its large number of canals, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Although Amsterdam is the official capital of the Netherlands, it is not the seat of government; the main governmental institutions are located in The Hague.