AMSTERDAM 
Location: In the province of North Holland

History: Probably established in the early 1200's, Amestelledamme was a fishing village in the realm of the noblemen
Van Aemstel. It was built around a dam or artificial crossing in the Amstel river where it merged with the IJ. 
In 1274, it was taken and burned down by troops of Count Floris V, who granted it toll rights as compensation a
year later. In 1306, city rights were granted, 183 years later, the emerging town became a protectorate of emperor 
Maximilian, hence the crown over its crest. Trade on the Baltic gave Amsterdam early prominence in the 14th
century and its fortunes grew steadily ever since to make it the predominant town - economical, financial, social, 
political, cultural - in the Netherlands (and in many aspects, of the world) in the 16th, 17th and early 18th century. 
It went through a decline in the next 100 years, re-emerging from 1860 on. The new canal link with the North Sea 
(1876) kept the port alive.

Present day: The capital of the Netherlands is one giant open air museum, with 'objects' ranging from medieval 
remnants, Golden Age sumptuousness, and 18th century expansions to 19th century parks, 20th century monuments 
and 21st century development. Port activities have moved to the western harbours, the eastern facilities and yards 
are converted to housing developments. 

Main attraction: The entire inner city with canals, monuments, buildings, homes, warehouses, 400 bridges, Palace, 
heritage churches, remnants of city walls and gates, museums, entertainment, shopping.

Other features: Parks, zoo (Artis), sports arenas, open_air markets, concert halls, permanent art exhibits, old Jewish 
quarter, expansion neighbourhoods, refurbished heritage neighbourhoods. The citizens' open character, humour, 
tolerance and acceptance. 

Surrounding area: Haarlem and Zandvoort, Zaandam and Zaanse Schans, Marken/Volendam, Waterland, 't Gooi, 
Almere, Schiphol; villages and mansions on Vecht and Amstel rivers; fortress island Pampus.

Famous sons of the 20th century: Painters Willem Witsen, Carel Willink, Kees Verwey, Karel Appel; politicians 
Willem Drees, Jaap Suurhoff, Hans Wiegel, Frits Bolkestein, Ed van Thijn and South African president 
Hendrik Verwoerd; Nobel Prize winner Frederik Zernicke and Tobias Asser; generals Spoor and Kruls; 
US immigrants Edo de Waart (conductor), Adriaan Barnouw (linguist), Hans Koningsberger (writer); architects
Berlage and Dudok; musicians Willem Breuker, Frans Bruggen, Piet van Egmond and Kees Otten; choreographers 
Hans van Manen and Rudi van Dantzig; World Champions Ton Sijbrands and Ben Springer (checkers); Max Euwe 
(chess) and Wim Ruska (judo); soccer players Johan Cruijff and Ruud Krol; cyclists Gerrit Schulte and Peter Post;
and writers Bordewijk, A. Roland Holst, Gerard Reve, Jacob Presser, Nescio, Jan Mens, Lucebert, 
Gerrit Kouwenaar, Bertus Aafjes and Heere Heeresma.

Source:
"History of Netherlands""