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Home > Travel Europe > Europe Destinations > Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Europe is one of the five inhabited traditional continents of the Earth. Physically and geologically, Europe is the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, west of Asia. Europe is the world's second-smallest continent in terms of area and third-largest continent after Asia and Africa in population.
Amsterdam, the official capital of the Netherlands, lies on the banks of two bodies of water, the IJ bay and the Amstel River. Founded in the late 12th century as a small fishing village on the banks of the Amstel, it is now the largest city in the country and is a financial and cultural centre. As of August 1, 2006, the population of the city proper is 741,329; the population of the official Greater Amsterdam area is approximately 1.5 million, but the real agglomeration is estimated at 2 to 2,5 million. Amsterdam is also one of the core urban centres of the greater metropolitan area called Randstad. The city population till 1 August 2006 is 741,329.
Amsterdam has one of the largest historic city centres in Europe, dating largely from the 17th century. At this time, a series of concentric, semi-circular canals were dug around the old city centre. Along the canals houses and warehouses were built. The canals still define Amsterdam's layout and appearance today. Many fine houses and mansions are situated along the canals. Some of the narrow brick houses are gradually sinking because they are built on wooden piles to cope with the marshy subsoil.
Amsterdam began as a fishing village in the in the late 12th century. The damming of the river Amstel gave it its name the traditional founding of the city of Amsterdam is October 27, 1275, when the inhabitants living around the Amstel dam were granted freedom from paying the tolls associated with the locks and bridges of Holland. It was given city rights in 1300 or 1301. From the 14th century on, Amsterdam flourished, largely on the basis of trade with the cities of the Hanseatic League.
The 18th and early 19th centuries saw a decline in Amsterdam's prosperity. The wars of the Dutch Republic with the United Kingdom and France took their toll on Amsterdam. During the Napoleonic Wars Amsterdam's fortunes reached their lowest point. Today, one can also learn about its history, from its earliest times and gain enthusiasm in its natural beauty and populace. Amsterdam enjoys a very positive reputation with worldwide travelers.
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