Amsterdam Map

Description:

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Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, with a population of approximately 918,117 within the city proper and 2.5 million in the metropolitan area. Founded as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became a significant trading port during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century. The city's name derives from its origin as a dam on the river Amstel.

The city is known for its elaborate canal system, which consists of 165 canals with a combined length of over 100 kilometers (62 miles). The three main canals - Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht - were dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age and form concentric belts around the city, known as the Canal Ring. This historic network of waterways was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010.

Amsterdam's architectural heritage is diverse and well-preserved. The city features many buildings from different historical periods, with styles ranging from medieval to contemporary. The Royal Palace of Amsterdam (Koninklijk Paleis), located on Dam Square, was built in the 17th century as a city hall and later became a royal residence. It remains one of the three official residences of the Dutch monarch. The oldest building in Amsterdam is the Oude Kerk (Old Church), dating from 1306. The city is also home to numerous museums of international significance, including the Rijksmuseum, which houses works by Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer, the Van Gogh Museum dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries, and the Anne Frank House, where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during World War II.

The city serves as the Netherlands' commercial, cultural, and financial center. The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, founded in 1602, is considered the world's oldest modern securities market. Today, Amsterdam is home to many large corporations and banks, including Heineken International and ING Group. The Port of Amsterdam is the fourth-largest port in Europe, handling approximately 86 million tons of cargo annually.

Amsterdam is also renowned for its vibrant cultural scene and liberal attitudes. The city's famous Red Light District (De Wallen) is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Amsterdam and is known for its legal prostitution in window brothels, adult shops, and entertainment venues. The city hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, including King's Day (formerly Queen's Day), the Amsterdam Dance Event, and the Amsterdam Light Festival. The Royal Concertgebouw is considered one of the world's finest concert halls due to its exceptional acoustics. Transportation in the city is diverse and efficient, with an extensive network of trams, buses, metro lines, and ferries. Bicycling is particularly popular, with over 881,000 bicycles in the city and approximately 767 kilometers (477 miles) of dedicated cycling paths.

Some more Amsterdam photos from my personal archive

The Facts:
Province: North Holland.
Population: ~ 918,117 (2023).
Metropolitan population: 2,500,000.
Boroughs of Amsterdam: Centrum, Zuid, West, Oost, Noord, Nieuw-West, Zuidoost, Westpoort.

Main sights of Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, Dam Square, Rembrandt House Museum, Vondelpark, Van Gogh Museum, Jordaan Neighborhood, Royal Palace of Amsterdam, Stedelijk Museum, Westerkerk, De Wallen (red-light district), Keizersgracht, Reguliersgracht.

Canals of Amsterdam: Herengracht, Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Singel, Zwanenburgwal, Brouwersgracht, Kloveniersburgwal, Brantasgracht, Lamonggracht, Majanggracht and Seranggracht.

The best films set in Amsterdam: The Diary of Anne Frank (1959), Diamonds are Forever (1971), Turkish Delight (1973), Ocean’s Twelve (2004), Eurotrip (2004).

Postcodes: 1000–1183.
Area code: 020.

Google Map of Amsterdam

Website: www.amsterdam.nl.

Universities: University of Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.