Amsterdam
844
225783474
2008-07-15T11:21:54Z
Philip Trueman
3150196
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/195.200.149.3|195.200.149.3]] ([[User talk:195.200.149.3|talk]]) to last version by Iterator12n
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{{Infobox Settlement
|official_name = Amsterdam
|image_skyline = KeizersgrachtAmsterdam.jpg
|imagesize = 275px
|image_caption = The [[Keizersgracht]] at night
|image_flag = Flag of Amsterdam.svg
|flag_size = 125px
|image_shield = Wapen van Amsterdam bewerkt.PNG
|shield_size = 125px
|nickname = [[Mokum]], Venice of The North, Damsko
|motto = [[Coat of arms of Amsterdam#Motto|Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig]]<br/>''(Heroic, Determined, Merciful)''
|image_map = LocatieAmsterdam.svg
|mapsize = 275px
|map_caption = Location of Amsterdam
|subdivision_type = [[Country]]
|subdivision_name = [[Netherlands]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Province]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[North Holland]]
|parts_type = [[Stadsdelen|Boroughs]]
|parts = [[Amsterdam (municipality)#Boroughs|15]]
|government_type = [[Municipalities of the Netherlands|Municipality]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor of Amsterdam|Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Job Cohen]]<ref name="Cohen">{{cite web
| url = http://www.worldmayor.com/essays06/amsterdam_essay06.html
| title = WorldMayor.com - Job Cohen, Mayor of Amsterdam 2006
| accessdate = 2007-04-19}}</ref>
|leader_party = PvdA
|leader_title1 = [[Alderman|Aldermen]]
|leader_name1 = [[Lodewijk Asscher]]<br/>Carolien Gehrels<br/>Tjeerd Herrema<br/>Maarten van Poelgeest<br/>[[Marijke Vos]]
|leader_title2 = Secretary
|leader_name2 = Erik Gerritsen
|unit_pref = Metric
|area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web
| title = Kerncijfers voor Amsterdam en de stadsdelen
| work = [http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/ www.os.amsterdam.nl]
| publisher = Research and Statistics Service, [[Amsterdam (municipality)|City of Amsterdam]]
| date = 2006-01-01
| url = http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/tabel/4670/
| accessdate = 2007-04-04 }}</ref><ref name="rca">{{cite web
| title = Area, population density, dwelling density and average dwelling occupation
| work = [http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/ www.os.amsterdam.nl]
| publisher = Research and Statistics Service, [[Amsterdam (municipality)|City of Amsterdam]]
| date = 2006-01-01
| url = http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/tabel/6326/
| accessdate = 2007-04-04 }}</ref>
|area_total_km2 = 219
|area_land_km2 = 166
|area_water_km2 = 53
|area_blank2_title = Urban area
|area_blank2_km2 = 1896
|elevation_m = 2
|elevation_footnotes = <ref name="elevation">{{cite web
| url = http://www.ahn.nl/
| title = Actueel Hoogtestand Nederland
| language = Dutch
| accessdate = 2008-05-18 }}</ref>
|population_as_of = [[January 1]], [[2006]]
|population_footnotes = <ref name="CBS" /><ref name="randstad">{{cite web
| title = Randstadmonitor 2006
| work = [http://www.regio-randstad.nl/ www.regio-randstad.nl]
| publisher = Regio Randstad
| date = May 2008
| url = http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/tabel/2008_mutatiestatistiek_stand.xls
| accessdate = 2008-04-04 }}</ref>
|population_total = 751,757
|population_density_km2 = 4459
|population_blank1_title = Urban area
|population_blank1 = 1468122
|population_blank2_title = [[Randstad]]
|population_blank2 = 6659300
|timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
|utc_offset = +1
|timezone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
|utc_offset_DST = +2
|latd=52 |latm=22 |lats=23 |latNS=N
|longd=4 |longm=53 |longs=32 |longEW=E
|postal_code_type = [[List of postal codes in the Netherlands|Postcode]]s
|postal_code = 1011 – 1109
|area_code = 020
|website = [http://www.amsterdam.nl www.amsterdam.nl]
}}
'''Amsterdam''' (pronounced {{Audio-IPA|Nl-Amsterdam.ogg|[ɑmstərˈdɑm]}}) is the [[Capital of the Netherlands|capital]] and [[List of cities in the Netherlands with over 100,000 people|largest city]] of the [[Netherlands]], located in the [[Provinces of the Netherlands|province]] of [[North Holland]] in the west of the country. The city, which had a population of 747,290 on 1 January 2008, comprises the northern part of the [[Randstad]], the [[Largest European cities and metropolitan areas|6th-largest]] [[metropolitan area]] in [[Europe]], with a population of around 6.7 million.
Its name is derived from ''Amstel dam'',<ref name="Britannica Eleven">[[Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition]], Vol 1, p896-898.</ref> indicative of the city's origin: a [[dam]] on the river [[Amstel]]. Founded as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important [[port]]s in the world during the [[Dutch Golden Age]], a result of its innovative developments in [[trade]]. During this time, the city was the leading centre for finance and [[diamonds]].<ref>[http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521845359&ss=exc] Capitals of Capital -A History of International Financial Centres - 1780–2005, Youssef Cassis, ISBN-13: 9780521845359</ref> In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city [[Expansion of Amsterdam|expanded]] and many new neighbourhoods and suburbs were formed.
The city is the financial and cultural capital of the Netherlands. Many large Dutch corporations and banks have their headquarters in Amsterdam. The [[Amsterdam Stock Exchange]], part of [[Euronext]], is located in the city centre. Amsterdam's main [[List of tourist attractions in Amsterdam|attractions]], including its [[Canals of Amsterdam|historic canals]], the [[Rijksmuseum]], the [[Van Gogh Museum]], [[Anne Frank House]], its [[red-light district]] and its many [[cannabis coffee shop]]s, draw 4.2 million tourists annually.<ref name="42milvisitors">[http://www.ez.amsterdam.nl/page.php?page=9&menu=27 Amsterdam - Economische Zaken]</ref>
==History==
{{Main|History of Amsterdam}}
The earliest recorded usage of the name "Amsterdam" is from a certificate dated [[27 October]] [[1275]], where the inhabitants of a late 12th century fishing village, who had built a bridge with a dam across the [[Amstel]], were exempted from paying a [[toll bridge|bridge toll]] by Count [[Floris V, Count of Holland|Floris V]].<ref name="language">{{cite book
| last = Berns
| first = Jan
| coauthors = Daan, Jo
| title = Hij zeit wat: de Amsterdamse volkstaal
| date = 1993
| location = [[The Hague]]
| publisher = BZZTôH
| pages = p. 91
| language = [[Dutch language|Dutch]]
| isbn = 90-6291-756-9
}}</ref> The certificate describes the inhabitants as ''homines manentes apud Amestelledamme'' (people living near ''Amestelledamme''). By 1327 the name had developed into ''Aemsterdam''.<ref name="language"/> A local romance{{unclear}} has the city being founded by two fishermen, who landed on the shores of the Amstel in a small boat with their dog.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Amsterdam's founding is relatively recent compared to much older Dutch cities such as [[Nijmegen]], [[Rotterdam]], and [[Utrecht (city)|Utrecht]].
[[Image:Amsterdam in 1538 - bMA.jpg|thumb|left|Painting of Amsterdam in 1538]]
Amsterdam was granted [[City rights in the Netherlands|city rights]] in either 1300 or 1306.<ref name="amnlgeschedenis">{{cite web
|url= http://amsterdam.nl/stad_in_beeld/geschiedenis/de_geschiedenis_van#Stadsrechten
|title= De geschiedenis van Amsterdam
|publisher=Municipality of Amsterdam
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-21
}}</ref> From the 14th century on, Amsterdam flourished, largely due to trade with the [[Hanseatic League]]. In 1345, an alleged [[Blessed Sacrament|Eucharistic miracle]] in the [[Kalverstraat]] rendered the city an important place of pilgrimage until the [[Protestant Reformation|alteration to the protestant faith]]. The ''[[Stille Omgang]]'' — a silent [[procession]] in civil attire — is today a remnant of the rich pilgrimage history.<ref name="stilleomgang">{{cite web
|url= http://www.trouw.nl/laatstenieuws/laatstenieuws/article936256.ece/Katholieken_verzameld_voor_Mirakel_van_Amsterdam
|title= Mirakel van Amsterdam
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-21
}}</ref>
In the 16th century, the Dutch rebelled against [[Philip II of Spain]] and his successors. The main reasons for the uprise were the imposition of new taxes, the tenth penny, and the religious persecution of Protestantism by the [[Spanish Inquisition]]. The revolt escalated into the [[Eighty Years' War]], which ultimately led to Dutch independence.<ref name="80yearswar">{{cite web
|url= http://dutchrevolt.leidenuniv.nl/nederlands/default.htm
|publisher = Leiden University
|title= Eighty Years' War
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-21
}}</ref> Strongly pushed by [[Dutch Revolt]] leader [[William the Silent]], the [[Dutch Republic]] became known for its relative [[History of religion in the Netherlands|religious]] tolerance. [[History of the Jews in the Netherlands|Jews]] from the [[Iberian Peninsula]], [[Huguenot]]s from [[France]], prosperous merchants and printers from [[Flanders]] as well as economic and religious refugees from the Spanish controlled parts of the [[Low Countries]] found safety in Amsterdam. The influx of Flemish printers and the city's intellectual tolerance made Amsterdam a centre for the European free press.<ref>Case in point: After [[Galileo affair|his trial and sentencing]] in Rome in 1633, [[Galileo Galilei|Galileo]] chose [[Lodewijk Elzevir]] in Amsterdam to publish one of his finest works, ''[[Two New Sciences]].'' See Wade Rowland (2003), ''Galileo's Mistake, A new look at the epic confrontation between Galileo and the Church,'' New York: Arcade Publishing, ISBN 1559706848, p. 260.</ref>
[[Image:AmsterdamDamsquar.jpg|thumb|right|[[Dam Square]] in the late 17th century: painting by [[Gerrit Adriaenszoon Berckheyde]]]]
The 17th century is considered Amsterdam's ''Golden Age'' when it became one of the wealthiest cities in the world.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Ships sailed from Amsterdam to the [[Baltic Sea]], [[North America]], and [[Africa]], as well as present-day [[Indonesia]], [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]] and [[Brazil]], forming the basis of a worldwide trading network. Amsterdam's merchants had the largest share in both, the [[Dutch East India Company|VOC]] (Dutch East India Company) and the [[Dutch West India Company|WIC]] (Dutch West India Company). These companies acquired overseas possessions that later became [[Dutch Empire|Dutch colonies]]. Amsterdam was Europe's most important point for the shipment of goods and was the leading financial centre of the world.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} In 1602, the Amsterdam office of the VOC became the world's first [[stock exchange]] by trading in its own shares.<ref name="The oldest share">{{cite web
|url= http://www.oldest-share.com/
|title= The oldest share
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-05-22
}}</ref>
Amsterdam's prosperity declined during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The [[Anglo-Dutch wars|wars]] of the [[Dutch Republic]] with [[Kingdom of England|England]] and [[France]] took their toll on Amsterdam. During the [[Napoleonic Wars]], Amsterdam's fortunes reached their lowest point,{{Fact|date=June 2008}} however, the later establishment of the [[United Kingdom of the Netherlands]] in 1815 marked a turning point. New developments, by people such as city planner [[Samuel Sarphati]], drew their inspiration from Paris.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
[[Image:Amsterdam Munttoren 1900.jpg|thumb|left|View on the [[Munttoren]] in 1900]]
The end of the 19th century is sometimes called Amsterdam's second Golden Age.<ref name="Amsterdam City Walks">{{cite web
|url= http://www.amsterdamcitywalks.com/english/agenda.html
|title= Amsterdam through the ages -A medieval village becomes a global city
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-05-21
}}</ref> New museums, a train station, and the [[Concertgebouw]] were built, while during this time, the [[Industrial Revolution]] reached the city. The ''[[Amsterdam-Rhine Canal]]'' was dug to give Amsterdam a direct connection to the [[Rhine]], and the ''[[North Sea Canal]]'' to give the port a shorter connection to the [[North Sea]]. Both projects improved commerce with the rest of Europe and the world dramatically. In 1906, [[Joseph Conrad]] gave a brief description of Amsterdam as seen from the seaside, in [[q:Joseph Conrad#The Mirror of the Sea (1906)|''The Mirror of the Sea'']]. Shortly before [[World War I]], the city began expanding and new suburbs were built. Even though the Netherlands remained neutral in this war, Amsterdam suffered a food shortage and heating fuel became scarce. The shortages sparked riots in which several people were killed. These riots are known as the ''Aardappeloproer'' (Potato rebellion). People started looting stores and warehouses in order to get supplies, mainly food. <ref name="aardappeloproer">{{cite web
|url= http://www.collectie.legermuseum.nl/sites/strategion/contents/i004516/arma39%20het%20aardappeloproer%20in%201917.pdf
|title= Aardappeloproer
|format=pdf
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-21
}}</ref>
[[Nazi Germany|Germany]] [[Battle of the Netherlands|invaded the Netherlands]] on [[10 May]] [[1940]] and took control of the country after five days of fighting.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} The Germans installed a Nazi civilian government in Amsterdam that cooperated with the persecution of Jews.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Some Amsterdam citizens sheltered Jews, thereby exposing themselves and their families to the high risk of being imprisoned or sent to concentration camps. More than 100,000 Dutch Jews were deported to [[Nazi concentration camps|concentration camps]]. Perhaps the most famous deportee was the young German girl [[Anne Frank]], who died in the [[Bergen-Belsen concentration camp]].<ref name="deportation">{{cite web
|url= http://www.hollandscheschouwburg.nl/site_en/deportatie/kader.html
| publisher = Hollandsche Schouwburg
|title= Deportation to camps
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-05-21
}}</ref> Only 5,000 Dutch Jews survived the war.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} At the end of World War II, communication with the rest of the country broke down, and food and fuel became scarce. Many citizens traveled to the countryside to forage. Dogs, cats, raw sugar beets, and [[Tulip]] bulbs—cooked to a pulp—were consumed to stay alive.<ref name="hongerwinter">{{cite web
|url= http://www.nos.nl/nosjournaal/dossiers/60jaarbevrijding/60jaar_hongerwinter.html
|title= Kou en strijd in een barre winter
| publisher = NOS
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-21
}}</ref> Most of the trees in Amsterdam were cut down for fuel, and all the wood was taken from the apartments of deported Jews. After the war approximately 120,000 Dutch were prosecuted for their collaboration with the Nazis.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
[[Image:NieuwmarktAmsterdam.jpg|thumb|right|Subway station Nieuwmarkt with historic images of the ''Nieuwmarktrellen'']]
Many new suburbs, such as Osdorp, Slotervaart, Slotermeer, and Geuzenveld, were built in the years following World War II.<ref name="svgeschedenis">{{cite web
|url= http://www.slotervaart.amsterdam.nl/stadsdeel_in_beeld/geschiedenis
|title= Stadsdeel Slotervaart - Geschiedenis
|publisher= Municipality Amsterdam
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-22
}}</ref> These suburbs contained many public parks and wide open spaces, while the new buildings provided improved housing conditions with larger and brighter rooms, gardens, and balconies. Due to the war and other incidents of the 20th century, almost the entire city centre had fallen into disrepair. As society was changing, politicians and other influential figures made plans to redesign large parts of it. There was an increasing demand for office buildings and new roads as the [[automobile]] became available to most common people.<ref name="stadsherstel">{{cite web
|url= http://www.stadsherstelamsterdam.nl/
|title= Stadsherstel Missie/Historie
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-22
}}</ref> A [[metro]] started operating between the new suburb of Bijlmer and the centre of Amsterdam. Further plans were to build a new highway above the metro to connect the central station and city centre with other parts of the city.
The incorporated large scale demolitions began in Amsterdam's formerly Jewish neighbourhood. Smaller streets like the ''Jodenbreestraat'' were widened and saw almost all of their houses demolished. During the destruction's peak, the [[Nieuwmarkt|''Nieuwmarktrellen'']] (Nieuwmarkt riots) broke out,<ref name="metrostad">{{cite web
|url= http://amsterdam.nl/?ActItmIdt=101459
|title= Typisch Metrostad
|publisher=Municipality Amsterdam
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-22
}}</ref> where people expressed their fury about the demolition caused by the restructuring of the city. As a result, the demolition was ceased and the highway was never built, with only the metro being finished. Only a few streets remained widened. The destroyed buildings were replaced by new ones corresponding to the medieval street plan of the neighbourhood.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} The new city hall was built on the almost completely demolished ''Waterlooplein''. Meanwhile, large private organisations, such as ''Stadsherstel Amsterdam'', were founded with the aim to restore the entire city centre. While the success of this struggle is visible today, efforts for further restoration are still ongoing.<ref name="stadsherstel" /> The entire city centre has reattained its former splendor and — as a whole — is now a protected area. Many of its buildings have become monuments and plans exist to make the ''Grachtengordel'' ([[Herengracht]], [[Keizersgracht]], and [[Prinsengracht]]) a [[Unesco World Heritage]] site.<ref name="unesco">{{cite web
|url= http://www.bma.amsterdam.nl/indexen/nieuws_bma?ActItmIdt=122633
|title= Unesco World Heritage Site
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-21
}}</ref>
==Geography and climate==
[[Image:Amsterdam 4.89943E 52.37109N.jpg|thumb|[[Satellite image]] of Amsterdam]]
Being part of the province [[North-Holland]], Amsterdam is located in the northwest of the Netherlands next to the provinces [[Utrecht (province)|Utrecht]] and [[Flevoland]]. The river [[Amstel]] terminates in the city center into a large number of canals that eventually terminate in the [[IJ (bay)|IJ]]. Amsterdam is situated 2 meters above sea level. <ref name="elevation" /> The surrounding land is flat as it is formed of large [[polders]]. To the southwest of the city lies a man-made forest called ''het Amsterdamse Bos''. Amsterdam is connected to the [[North Sea]] through the long [[North Sea Canal]].
Amsterdam is intensely [[urbanized]], as is the [[urban area]] surrounding the city. Comprising 219.4 square kilometers of land, the city proper has a population density of 4457 inhabitants and 2275 houses per square kilometer.<ref name="density">{{cite web
|url= http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/pdf/2007_jaarboek_hoofdstuk_01.pdf
|title= Kerncijfers Amsterdam 2007
|language=Dutch
|format=pdf
|accessdate = 2008-05-18
}}</ref> [[Parks]] and [[nature reserves]] make up 12% of Amsterdam's land area. <ref name="12percent">{{cite web
|url= http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/feitenencijfers/24112/
|title= Openbare ruimte en groen: Inleiding
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-18
}}</ref>
The concentrations of both carbon dioxide and small particles were above the limits the European Union directives.{{when}}<ref name="airquality">{{cite web
|url= http://www.vrom.nl/pagina.html?id=12328&term=Fijnstof
|title= Kerncijfers Amsterdam 2007
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-18
}}</ref>
Amsterdam enjoys a temperate climate, strongly influenced by its proximity to the [[North Sea]] to the west with prevailing north-western winds and gales. Winter temperatures are mild, seldom below 0°C. [[Frost]]s merely occur during spells of eastern or northeastern winds from the inner European continent, i.e., from Scandinavia, Russia, and even Siberia. Summers are warm but rarely hot. Days with measurable [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] are common. Nevertheless, Amsterdam's average annual precipitation is less than 760 mm. Most of it pours as protracted drizzle or light rain, making cloudy and damp days common during the cooler months, October through March. Only the occasional Western storm may bring a lot of water at once, requiring all of it to be pumped out to higher grounds or to the seas around the city.
{{Amsterdam weatherbox}}
==Cityscape and architecture==
[[Image:AmsterdamLuchtfotoBmz.jpg|thumb|right|A bird's-eye view of Amsterdam's city centre]]
Amsterdam fans out south from the [[Amsterdam Centraal railway station]]. The [[Damrak]] is the [[main street]] and leads into the street [[Rokin]]. The oldest area of the town is known as ''[[de Wallen]]'' (the quays, this does not refer to the old city walls, the Dutch word for wall being 'muur'). It lies to the east of Damrak and contains the city's famous red light district. To the south of de Wallen is the old Jewish quarter of Waterlooplein. The 17th century girdle of concentric canals, known as the ''Grachtengordel'', embraces the heart of the city. Beyond the Grachtengordel are the formerly working class areas of [[Jordaan]] and de Pijp. The ''Museumplein'' with the city's major museums, the [[Vondelpark]], a 19th century park named after the Dutch writer [[Joost van den Vondel]], and the Plantage neighborhood, with the [[Artis|zoo]], are also located outside the Grachtengordel.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
Several parts of the city and the surrounding [[urban area]] are [[polder]]s. This can be recognized by the [[suffix]] ''-meer'' which means ''lake'', as in [[Aalsmeer]], [[Bijlmermeer]], [[Haarlemmermeer]], and [[Watergraafsmeer]].
===Canals===
{{Main|Canals of Amsterdam}}
[[Image:Amsterdam Canals - July 2006.jpg|thumb|Boat on the [[Prinsengracht]] in 2006]]
[[Image:1885 NZVoorburgwal (Christiaan le Blansch).jpg|thumb|A [[woodcut]] (1885) of the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, a [[canal]] that is now a filled in]]
The Amsterdam canal system is the result of conscious [[city planning]].<ref name="canals">{{cite web
|url= http://amsterdam.nl/stad_in_beeld/werkstukken/grachten
|title= Amsterdamse Grachten
|publisher=Municipality Amsterdam
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-21
}}</ref> In the early 17th century—when [[immigration]] was at a height—a comprehensive plan was developed that was based on four concentric half-circles of canals with their ends resting on the [[IJ (bay)|IJ]] bay. Known as the ''Grachtengordel'', three of the canals are mostly for residential development: Those are the ''[[Herengracht]]'' (Gentleman's Canal), ''[[Keizersgracht]]'' (Emperor's Canal), and ''[[Prinsengracht]]'' (Princes Canal’). The fourth and most outer canal, the ''Singelgracht'' (not to be confused with the older ''[[Single]]''), served purposes of defense and water management. The defensive purpose was established by moat and [[earthworks|earthen dikes]], with gates at transit points, but otherwise no masonry [[superstructure]]s.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Taverne
| first = E. R. M.
| title = In ‘t land van belofte, in de nieue stadt: ideaal en werkelijkheid van de stadsuitleg in de Republiek, 1580-1680 (In the land of promise, in the new city: ideal and reality of the city lay-out in the [Dutch] Republic, 1580-1680)
| publisher = Schwartz|date=1978
| location = Maarssen
| isbn = 90-6179-024-7}}</ref> Furthermore, the plan envisaged: (1) Interconnecting canals along radii; (2) creating a set of parallel canals in the [[Jordaan]] quarter, primarily for transportation purposes; (3) converting the defensive purpose of the ''Singel'' to a residential and commercial purpose; (4) constructing more than one hundred bridges.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
Construction started in 1613 and proceeded from west to east, across the breadth of the lay–out, like a gigantic windshield wiper as the historian [[Geert Mak]] calls it—and ''not'' from the centre outwards as a popular myth has it. The canal constructions in the southern sector were accomplished by 1656. Subsequently, the construction of residential buildings commenced slowly. The eastern part of the concentric canal plan, covering the area between the [[Amstel]] river and the IJ bay, has never been implemented. In the following centuries, the land was used for parks, old people homes, theaters, other public facilities, and waterways without much planning. <ref>{{cite book| last = Mak| first = G.| title = Een kleine geschiedenis van Amsterdam| publisher = Uitgeverij Atlas|date=1995| location = Amsterdam/Antwerp| isbn = 90-450-1232-4}}</ref>
Over the years, several canals have been filled in becoming streets or squares, such as the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and the [[Spui (Amsterdam)|Spui]]. <ref name="filledincanals">{{cite web
|url= http://www.onderdekeizerskroon.nl/wschoonenberg/dempingen.html
|publisher=Walther Schoonenberg
|title= Dempingen en Aanplempingen
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-21
}}</ref>
===Expansion of Amsterdam===
{{main|Expansion of Amsterdam}}
After the development of the canals of Amsterdam in the 17th century Amsterdam did not grow beyond its borders for two centuries. During the 19th century the first of many plans were devised to expand Amsterdam.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} The first one to do so was [[Samuel Sarphati]]. He devised a plan based on the grandeur of [[Paris]] and [[London]] of that time. The plan consisted of the construction of new houses, public buildings and streets just outside the ''grachtengordel''. The main aim of the plan however was to improve [[public health]], since people became frequently ill from a lack of it. Although the plan did not expand the city that much, it did produce some of the largest [[public buildings]] Amsterdam ever saw, like the ''Paleis voor Volksvlijt''. <ref name="joodsmuseum">{{cite web
|url= http://www.jhm.nl/personen.aspx?naam=Sarphati%2C%20Samuel
|title= Samuel Sarphati
|publisher= Joods Historisch Museum Amsterdam
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-05
}}</ref><ref name="zgsarphati">{{cite web
|url= http://www.zorggroep-amsterdam.nl/pagina.php?id=124
|title= Uitbreidingsplan Sarphati
|publisher= Zorggroep Amsterdam
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-05
}}</ref><ref name="jlgsarphati">{{cite web
|url= http://www.jlgrealestate.com/Samuel_Sarphati/Sarphatipark/
|title= Samuel Sarphati
|publisher= JLG Real Estate
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-05
}}</ref>
Following Sarphati were ''Van Niftrik'' and ''Kalff'' who designed a whole ring of 19th century neighborhoods surrounding the city’s centre. Most of these neighbourhoods became the home for many of the [[working class]]. <ref name="oudzuid">{{cite web
|url= http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/oudzuid/index.html
|title= Amsterdam Oud-Zuid
|publisher= BMZ
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-05
}}</ref>
By the beginning of the 20th century Amsterdam became too populated and a shortage of living space became a reality.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} In response to this two plans were designed, which were very different from anything Amsterdam had ever seen before: ''Plan Zuid'' and ''West''. The first plan was designed by an architect named [[Berlage]]. These plans consisted of new neighborhoods consisting of ''housing blocks'' for all [[social classes]]. <ref name="archiefberlage">{{cite web
|url= http://stadsarchief.amsterdam.nl/presentaties/amsterdamse_schatten/plannen/uitbreidingsplan_berlage/index.nl.html
|title= Uitbreidingsplan Berlage
|publisher= Stadsarchief Amsterdam
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-05
}}</ref><ref name="bmzberlage">{{cite web
|url= http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/intro/topo7.html
|title= Plan-Berlage
|publisher= Bureau Monumentenzorg Amsterdam
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-05
}}</ref>
After the [[World War II]] large new neighborhoods were built in the western, southeastern and northern parts of the city. These new neighborhoods were built to relieve the city from its large shortage of living space and give people affordable houses with modern day conveniences. These neighborhoods consisted mainly of large housing blocks situated within a lot of [[greenery]] connected to wide roads making these neighborhoods easily accessible by [[automobile]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}} The western suburbs which were built in that period of time are collectively called the ''Westelijke Tuinsteden''. The area to the southeast of the city build during the same period is known as the ''Bijlmer''.<ref name="bijlmer">{{cite web
|url= http://www.ymere.nl/ymere/template.asp?mnid=1&subid=35&cntid=119
|title= Westelijke Tuinsteden
|publisher= Ymere
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-05
}}</ref><ref name="westelijketuinsteden">{{cite web
|url= http://www.archex.info/nederlands/nederland/amsterdam_westelijke_tuinsteden.html
|title= Ontwerp Westelijke Tuinsteden
|publisher= Archex.info
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-05
}}</ref>
===Architecture===
[[Image:RokingAmsterdam.jpg|thumb|17th century houses at the [[Rokin]], the second building from the right was designed by [[Philip Vingboons]]]]
[[Image:Thèrése Schwartzeplein Amsterdam.jpg|thumb|Early 20th century houses in the architecture of the [[Amsterdam School]]]]
Amsterdam has a rich architectural history. The oldest building in Amsterdam is ''het Houten Huys''<ref name="houtenhuys">{{cite web
|url= http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/huizen/beg34.html
|title= Houten Huys
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-19
}}</ref> at the [[Begijnhof, Amsterdam|Begijnhof]] in Amsterdam. This [[wooden]] building was built around 1425 and is one of the two still existing wooden buildings in Amsterdam. It is also one of the few rare examples of [[gothic architecture]] in Amsterdam.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} In the sixteenth century wooden buildings were broken down and replaced by [[brick]] ones. During this age many buildings were built according to the architecture of the [[Renaissance]]. Buildings built during this period are very recognizable, since they all have a façade which ends at the top in the shape of a [[stairway]]. This is however the common Dutch Renaissance style. Amsterdam quickly developed its own [[Renaissance architecture]]. These buildings were built according to the principles of the architect [[Hendrick de Keyser]].<ref name="dekeyser">{{cite web
|url= http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/renaiss3.html
|title= Amsterdamse renaissance in de stijl van Hendrick de Keyser
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-19
}}</ref> One of the most striking buildings designed by Hendrick de Keyer is the [[Westerkerk]]. In the seventeenth century [[baroque architecture]] became very popular as it did elsewhere in Europe. This was roughly in the same period as was Amsterdam’s [[Golden Age]]. The leading architects of this style in Amsterdam were [[Jacob van Campen]] as well as [[Philip Vingboons]] and [[Daniel Stalpaert]].<ref name="holclass">{{cite web
|url= http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/holclass.html
|title= Hollands Classicisme
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-21
}}</ref> Philip Vingboons designed splendid merchant’s houses throughout the city. A famous building in baroque style in Amsterdam is the [[Royal Palace (Amsterdam)|Royal Palace]] on [[Dam Square]]. Throughout the eighteenth century Amsterdam was heavily influenced by [[France|French]] culture. This is reflected in the architecture from that period. At around 1815 architects broke with the baroque style and started building in different neo-styles<ref name="neostijl">{{cite web
|url= http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/neostijl.html
|title= Neo-stijlen
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-19
}}</ref>. Most gothic style buildings date from that era and are therefore said to be built in a neo-gothic style. At the end of the nineteenth century the [[Jugendstil]] or Art Nouveau style became popular and a lot of new buildings were constructed in this architectural style.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Since Amsterdam rapidly expanded during this period, new buildings adjacent to the city’s center were also built in this style. The houses in the vicinity of the [[Museum Square]] in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid are an example of Jugendstil. The last style that was popular in Amsterdam before the [[modern era]] was [[Art Deco]]. Amsterdam had its own version of the style, which was called the [[Amsterdamse School]]. Whole districts were built in Amsterdamse School, such as the ''Rivierenbuurt''.<ref name="aschool">{{cite web
|url= http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/aschool.html
|title= Amsterdamse School
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-21
}}</ref> A notable feature the facades of buildings build in Amsterdamse School, is that they are highly decorated with decorative ornaments and the windows and doors are oddly shaped.
The old city’s center is the epicenter of all the architectural styles before the end of the nineteenth century. Jugendstil and Art Deco are mostly found outside the city’s century in the neighborhoods built in the early twentieth century, although there are some striking examples of these styles present in the city’s center. Most historic buildings in the city’s center and near it are houses, such as the famous merchant’s houses lining the canals.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
==Government==
The administration of the municipality of Amsterdam is divided into 15 boroughs or ''[[Stadsdeel|stadsdelen]]''; the central one, Centrum, being circled by Westerpark, Bos en Lommer, De Baarsjes, [[Amsterdam Oud-West|Oud-West]], [[Amsterdam Oud-Zuid|Oud-Zuid]], [[Oost/Watergraafsmeer]], [[Zeeburg]] and [[Amsterdam-Noord]], with the six outer boroughs creating a further encirclement.<ref>[http://www.noord.amsterdam.nl/smartsite.dws?id=16213 Stadsdeel Amsterdam-Noord: Who governs Amsterdam-Noord?]</ref>
===Definitions===
[[Image:AmsterdamStadsdelen.png|thumb|left|300px|The 15 boroughs of Amsterdam]]
<!-- Needs area info! -->
Amsterdam is usually understood to be the municipality of Amsterdam. Colloquially, some areas within the municipality, such as the village of [[Durgerdam]], may not be considered part of Amsterdam. [[Statistics Netherlands]] uses three other definitions of Amsterdam: metropolitan agglomeration Amsterdam (''Grootstedelijke Agglomeratie Amsterdam'', not to be confused with ''Grootstedelijk Gebied Amsterdam'', a synonym of ''Groot Amsterdam''), Greater Amsterdam (''Groot Amsterdam'', a [[COROP]] region) and the urban region Amsterdam (''Stadsgewest Amsterdam'').<ref name="CBS" /> These definitions are not synonymous with the terms [[urban area]] and [[metropolitan area]], which are commonly used in English speaking countries for the purpose of defining large conurbations. The Amsterdam Department for Research and Statistics uses a fourth conurbation, namely the City region Amsterdam. This region is similar to Greater Amsterdam, but includes the municipalities [[Zaanstad]] and [[Wormerland]]. It excludes [[Graft-De Rijp]].
The smallest of these areas is the municipality, with a population of 742,981 in 2006.<ref name="CBSpopulation">{{cite web|url=http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/Table.asp?PA=70233ned&D1=0-2,18-20&D2=39,66,88,126,312&D3=0&D4=(l-11)-l&DM=SLNL&LA=nl
|title=Gemiddelde bevolking per regio naar leeftijd en geslacht|accessdate=2007-10-04|publisher=[[Statistics Netherlands]]}}</ref> The metropolitan agglomeration had a population of 1,021,870 in 2006.<ref name="CBSpopulation"/> It includes the municipalities of Zaanstad, Wormerland, Oostzaan, Diemen and Amstelveen only, as well as the municipality of Amsterdam. Greater Amsterdam includes 15 municipalities<ref name="COROP">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.nl/NR/rdonlyres/F40C0A58-7E1E-4BD5-93B3-F050153117B3/0/2006cr.pdf|publisher=[[Statistics Netherlands]]|title=Indeling van Nederland in 40 COROP-gebieden|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref>, and had a population of 1,211,503 in 2006.<ref name="CBSpopulation"/> Though much larger in area, the population of this area is only slightly larger, because the definition excludes the relatively populous municipality of [[Zaanstad]]. The largest area by population, the urban region Amsterdam, has a population of 1,468,122.<ref name="CBSpopulation"/> It includes Zaanstad, Wormerveer, Muiden and Abcoude, but excludes Graft De Rijp, Uithoorn and Aalsmeer. Amsterdam is also part of the conglomerate metropolitan area [[Randstad]], with a total population of 6,659,300 inhabitants.<ref name="randstad"/>
===City government===
{{main|Government of Amsterdam}}
As all Dutch municipalities, Amsterdam is governed by a [[List of mayors of Amsterdam|mayor]], [[College van Burgemeester en Wethouders|aldermen]], and the [[Gemeenteraad|municipal council]]. However, unlike most other Dutch municipalities, Amsterdam is subdivided into fifteen ''[[stadsdeel|stadsdelen]]'' (boroughs), a system that was implemented in the 1980s to improve local governance. The ''stadsdelen'' are responsible for many activities that previously had been run by the central city. Fourteen of these have their own council, chosen by a popular election. The fifteenth, Westpoort, covers the harbour of Amsterdam, has very few inhabitants, and is governed by the central municipal council. Local decisions are made at borough level, and only affairs pertaining to the whole city, such as major infrastructure projects, are handled by the central city council.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
===National government===
The present version of the [[Constitution of the Netherlands|Dutch constitution]] mentions "Amsterdam" and "capital" only in one place, chapter 2, article 32: The king's confirmation by oath and his coronation take place in "the capital Amsterdam" ("''de hoofdstad Amsterdam''"). [http://nl.wikisource.org/wiki/Nederlandse_grondwet Previous versions of the constitution] spoke of "the city of Amsterdam" ("''de stad Amsterdam''"), without mention of capital. In any case, the seat of the [[Politics of the Netherlands|government]], [[States-General of the Netherlands|parliament]] and [[Hoge Raad der Nederlanden|supreme court]] of the Netherlands is (and always has been, with the exception of a brief period between 1808 and 1810) located at [[The Hague]]. Foreign embassies too are in The Hague. Although capital of the country, Amsterdam is ''not'' the capital of the province in which it is located, [[North Holland]], whose capital is located at [[Haarlem]].<ref name="haarlem">{{cite web
|url= http://www.amsterdam.info/netherlands/provinces/north-holland/
|title= Haarlem Capital North-Holland
|publisher= Amsterdam.info
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-06-04
}}</ref>
===Symbols===
{{main|Coat of arms of Amsterdam|Flag of Amsterdam}}
[[Image:Wapen van Amsterdam bewerkt.PNG|thumb|right|The coat of arms of Amsterdam]]
The coat of arms of Amsterdam is composed of several historical elements. First and centre are three [[Saltire|St Andrew's crosses]], aligned in a vertical band on the city's shield. These St Andrew's crosses can also be found on the cityshields of neighbours [[Amstelveen]] and [[Ouder-Amstel]]. This part of the coat of arms is the basis of the [[flag of Amsterdam]], flown by the city government, but also as [[civil ensign]] for ships registered in Amsterdam. Second is the [[Imperial Crown of Austria]] — in 1489, out of gratitude for services and loans, [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]] awarded Amsterdam the right to adorn its coat of arms with the [[King of the Romans|king's]] crown, in 1508 replaced with Maximilian's imperial crown when he was crowned [[Holy Roman Emperor]]. In the early years of the 17th century, Maximilian's crown in Amsterdam's coat of arms was replaced with the crown of [[Emperor Rudolph II]], a crown that also would become the Imperial Crown of Austria. The lions date from the late 16th century, when city and province became part of the [[Dutch Republic|Republic of the Seven United Netherlands]]. Last came the city's official motto: ''Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig'' ("Valiant, Determined, Compassionate"), bestowed on the city in 1947 by [[Queen Wilhelmina]], in recognition of the city's bravery during [[World War II]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
==Economy==
[[Image:World trade center amsterda.jpg|thumb|The [[World Trade Center Amsterdam]] is located in the financial district [[Zuidas]].]]
Amsterdam is the financial and business capital of the Netherlands.<ref name="ez">{{cite web
|url= http://www.ez.amsterdam.nl/page.php?menu=24&page=6
|title= Amsterdam - Economische Zaken
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-22
}}</ref>
Amsterdam is currently one of the best cities in [[Europe]] to locate an international business in. It is ranked fifth in this category and is only surpassed by [[London]], [[Paris]], [[Frankfurt]] and [[Barcelona]].<ref name="eubusiness">{{cite web
|url= http://www.iamsterdam.com/press_room/press_releases_0/2007/european_cities
|title= European Cities Monitor 2007
|publisher = I amsterdam
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-11
}}</ref> Many large Dutch corporations and banks have their headquarters in Amsterdam, including [[ABN AMRO]], [[Akzo Nobel]], [[Heineken International]], [[ING Group]], [[Ahold]], [[TomTom]], ''Delta Lloyd Group'' and [[Philips]]. [[KPMG]] International's global headquarters is located in nearby Amstelveen.
Though many small offices are still located on the old canals, companies are increasingly relocating outside the city centre. The [[Zuidas]] (English: South Axis) is the new financial and legal hub.<ref name="zuidas">{{cite web
|url= http://www.zuidas.nl/smartsite.dws?id=1044&curindex=2
|title= Zuidas
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-22
}}</ref> The five largest law firms of the Netherlands and Dutch subsidiaries of large consulting firms like [[Boston Consulting Group]] and [[Accenture]] have their offices here. The [[World Trade Center Amsterdam]] stands here.
There are also three other smaller financial districts in Amsterdam. The first one is the area surrounding [[Amsterdam Sloterdijk railway station]]. A lot of newspapers like [[De Telegraaf]] have their offices here. Also Gemeente Vervoersbedrijf and the Dutch tax offices are located there. The second other financial district is the area surrounding [[Amsterdam Arena]]. Last the area surrounding Amsterdam Amstel railway station. The highest building in Amsterdam (Rembrandttoren)<ref name="rembrandtoren">{{cite web
|url= http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=rembrandttower-amsterdam-nestreetrlands
|title= Rembrandttoren
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-05-22
}}</ref> is situated there and it is the location of the headquarters of [[Philips]].<ref name="philips">{{cite web
|url= http://www.philips.nl/about/index.page
|title= Philips
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-22
}}</ref>
The [[Amsterdam Stock Exchange]] (AEX), nowadays part of [[Euronext]], is the world's oldest stock exchange and is one of Europe's largest bourses. It is situated near [[Dam Square]] in the city's centre.
===Tourism===
{{Main|List of tourist attractions in Amsterdam}}
[[Image:AnneFrankMuseum.jpg|thumb|right|[[Anne Frank House]]]]
Amsterdam is the 5th busiest tourist destination in Europe with more than 4.2 million international visitors.<ref name="42milvisitors" /> This number of visitors has been growing rapidly and steadily over the past decade. 41743 beds were located in 19400 rooms in 351 hotels as of 2007. Two thirds of these hotels are located in the city's center. Hotels with 4 or 5 stars contribute 42% of the total beds available and 41% of the overnight stays in Amsterdam. The room occupation rate was 78% in 2006, up from 70% in 2005.<ref name="TourismReport">{{cite web |url=http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/pdf/2008_toerisme_in_amsterdam.pdf |format=PDF |title=Toerisme in Amsterdam 2006/2007 |accessdate=2008-05-22|date=January 2007|author=Fedorova, T and Meijer, R|language=Dutch}}</ref> The origin of tourists visiting Amsterdam is largely European: 74%. The growth in recent years can be attributed to an increase in the number of visitors from Europe too. The largest group of non-European visitors came from the [[United States]], with 14% of the total.<ref name="TourismReport"/> Certain years have a theme in Amsterdam to bring extra tourists. For example, the year 2006 was designated "Rembrandt 400" to celebrate the 400th birthday of [[Rembrandt van Rijn]]. Some hotels offer special arrangements or activities due to these years. The average number of guests per year staying on the four campsites around the city numbers from 12,000 to 65,000.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
===Retail===
Amsterdam shops range from large department stores such as [[Metz & Co]], founded in 1740, [[De Bijenkorf]] founded in 1870, and [[Maison de Bonneterie]] a Parisian style store founded in 1889, to small specialty shops. Amsterdam's high-end shops are found in the streets ''Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat'' and ''Cornelis Schuytstraat'', which are located in the neighborhood of the [[Vondelpark]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}} One of Amsterdam's busiest high streets is the narrow, medieval ''Kalverstraat'' in the heart of the city. Another shopping area are the ''Negen Straatjes'': nine narrow streets within the ''Grachtengordel'', the concentric canal system of Amsterdam. The Negen Straatjes differ from other shopping districts by displaying a large diversity of privately owned shops.<ref name="9straatjes">{{cite web
|url= http://www.de9straatjes.nl/en/index.html
|title= Negen Straatjes
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-05-22
}}</ref> The city features also a large number of open-air markets such as the [[Albert Cuypmarkt]], ''Westermarkt'', ''Ten Katemarkt'', and ''Dappermarkt''.<ref name="markets">{{cite web
|url= http://www.amsterdam.info/markets/
|title= Amsterdamse Markten
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-05-22
}}</ref>
==Demography==
In the 16th and 17th century non-Dutch immigrants to Amsterdam were mostly [[Huguenot]]s, [[Fleming]]s, [[Sephardi Jews]] and [[Westphalia]]ns. Hugenots came after 1685's [[Edict of Fontainebleau]], while the Flemish Protestants came during the [[Eighty Years' War]]. The Westphalians came to Amsterdam mostly for economic reasons – their influx continued through the 18th and 19th centuries.
The first mass immigrants in the 20th century were people from [[Indonesia]], who came to Amsterdam after the independence of the [[Dutch East Indies]] in the 1940s and 1950s. In the 1960s guest workers from [[Turkey]], [[Morocco]], [[Italy]] and [[Spain]] migrated to Amsterdam. After the independence of [[Suriname]] in 1975 a large wave of [[Surinamese]] settled in Amsterdam, mostly in the [[Bijlmer]] area. Other immigrants, including asylum seekers and illegal immigrants, come from [[Europe]], [[Americas|America]], [[Asia]] and [[Africa]]. In the seventies and eighties many 'old' Amsterdammers moved to 'new' cities like [[Almere]] and [[Purmerend]], prompted by the third [[Land use planning|planological]] bill of the Dutch government. This bill promoted [[suburbanization]] and arranged for new developments in so called "groeikernen", literally "cores of growth". Young professionals and artists moved into neighbourhoods de Pijp and the [[Jordaan]] abandoned by these Amsterdammers. The non-Western immigrants settled mostly in the social housing projects in Amsterdam-West and the Bijlmer. Non-Western immigrants make up approximately one in three residents of Amsterdam and more than 50% of the children in Amsterdam have
a non-western background.<ref>[http://www.cbs.nl/en-GB/menu/themas/bevolking/publicaties/artikelen/archief/2006/2006-1995-wm.htm?RefererType=Favorite Half of young big-city dwellers have non-western background]</ref><ref name="OS 4351">{{cite web
|url=http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/tabel/4351/
|title=Bevolking naar herkomstgroepering, 1 januari 2001-2006
|language=Dutch
|publisher = Dienst Onderzoek en Statistiek (Research and Statistics Service)
|accessdate = 2007-04-19}}</ref><ref>[http://www.cbs.nl/en-GB/menu/themas/bevolking/publicaties/artikelen/archief/2004/2004-1443-wm.htm Most foreign babies born in big cities]</ref>
[[Image:Sint-Nicolaaskerk (Amsterdam).jpg|thumb|left|upright|The [[Church of St. Nicholas (Amsterdam)|Church of St. Nicholas]] (''Sint Nicolaaskerk'')]]
[[Image:EsnogaAmsterdam.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Amsterdam Esnoga]]]]
Amsterdam's largest religious group are the [[Christians]] followed by [[Islam]], mainly Sunni Islam.<ref name="religion">{{cite web
|url= http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/pdf/2006_ob_religie_5.pdf
|title= Religie Amsterdam
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-22
}}</ref>
In 1578 the previously [[Roman Catholic]] city of Amsterdam joined the revolt against Spanish rule, late in comparison to other major northern Dutch cities. In line with [[Protestantism|Protestant]] procedure of that time, all churches were "reformed" to the Protestant worship. [[Calvinism]] became the dominant [[religion]] and although Catholicism was not forbidden and priests allowed to serve, the Catholic hierarchy was prohibited. This led to the establishment of ''schuilkerken'', covert churches, behind seemingly ordinary canal side house fronts, one of them the current debate centre de Rode Hoed.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
A large influx of foreigners of many religions came to 17th-century Amsterdam, in particular [[Sefardim|Sefardic Jews]] from Spain and Portugal, [[Huguenot]]s from France, and Protestants from the [[Southern Netherlands]], led to the establishment of many non-[[Dutch language|Dutch]]-speaking religious churches. In 1603 the first notification is made of [[Jewish]] religious service. In 1639 the first Jewish synagogue was consecrated.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
As they became established in the city, other Christian denominations used converted Catholic chapels to conduct their own services. The oldest [[Church of England]] building outside the United Kingdom is found at the [[Begijnhof, Amsterdam|Begijnhof]]. Regular services there are still offered in English.<ref name="englishchurch">{{cite web
|url= http://home.tiscali.nl/~t451501/ercadam/content/history.htm
|title= English Reformed Church Amsterdam
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-05-22
}}</ref> The Huguenots accounted for nearly 20% of Amsterdam's inhabitants in 1700; being Calvinists, they soon integrated into the [[Dutch Reformed Church]], though often retaining their own congregations. Some, commonly referred by the moniker 'Walloon', and are recognizable today as they offer occasional services in [[French language|French]].
In the second half of the 17th century, Amsterdam experienced an influx of [[Ashkenazim]], Jews from Central and Eastern Europe, which continued into the 19th century. Jews often fled the pogroms in those areas. They not only founded their own synagogues, but had a strong influence on the 'Amsterdam dialect' adding a large [[Yiddish language|Yiddish]] local vocabulary. Amsterdam's nickname of ''[[Mokum]]'', the Yiddish word for the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] ''makom'' ("town"), stems from this immigration.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
Despite an absence of an official Jewish [[ghetto]], most Jews preferred to live in the eastern part of the old medieval heart of the city. The main street of this Jewish neighborhood was the ''Jodenbreestraat''. The neighborhood comprised the ''Waterlooplein'' and the [[Nieuwmarkt]].<ref name="Jodenbuurt Amsterdam">{{cite web
|url= http://amsterdam.nl/stad_in_beeld/werkstukken/wijken
|title= Amsterdamse wijken
|language=Dutch
|publisher= Municipality Amsterdam
|accessdate = 2008-05-22
}}</ref> Buildings in in this neighborhood fell into disrepair after World War II and a large section of the neighbourhood was demolished during the construction of the new subway. This led to [[riots]] and as a result a small part of the old neighborhood was saved.
Catholic churches in Amsterdam have been constructed since the restoration of the bishopric hierarchy in 1853. One of the principal architects behind the city's Catholic churches, Cuypers, was also responsible for the Amsterdam Central Station and the [[Rijksmuseum]], which led to a refusal of Protestant King [[William III of the Netherlands|William III]] to open 'that monastery'.
In 1924 the Roman Catholic Church of the Netherlands hosted the [[International Eucharistic Congress]] in Amsterdam, and numerous Catholic [[prelate]]s visited the city, where numerous festivities were held in churches and [[stadium]]s; Catholic processions on the public streets however were still forbidden under law at the time. Only in the twentieth century was Amsterdam's relation to Catholicism normalized, but despite its far larger population size, the Catholic clergy chose to place its bishopric seat of the city in the nearby provincial town of [[Haarlem]].<ref name="Diocese of Haarlem">{{cite web
|url= http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dhaar.html
|title= Diocese of Haarlem
|language=English
|publisher= Catholic Hierarchy
|accessdate = 2008-06-04
}}</ref>
The most recent religious changes in Amsterdam are due to large-scale immigration from former colonies. Immigrants from Suriname have introduced [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] Protestantism and [[Lutheranism]], from the Hernhutter variety, [[Hinduism]], from South East Asia and a liberal branch of [[Islam]] from various parts of the world. Turks, Kurds and Moroccans have introduced other Islamic sects. Islam has now become the largest non-Christian religion in Amsterdam. The large community of Ghanaian and Nigerian immigrants have established African churches, often in parking garages in the [[Bijlmer]] area, where many have settled. In addition, a broad array of other religious movements have established congregations, including [[Buddhism]], [[Confucianism]] and [[Hinduism]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
<center>
{{Demography 12col|830px|1300|1400|1500|1600|1675|1796|1810|1850|1879|1900|1930|2006
|1,000<ref name="BMA Gesch1">{{cite web
|url = http://www.bma.amsterdam.nl/adam/uk/intro/gesch1.html
|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070402012355/http://www.bma.amsterdam.nl/adam/uk/intro/gesch1.html
|archivedate=2007-04-02
|title = History of Amsterdam, The Early History
|publisher = Bureau Monumenten & Archeologie (Office of Monuments and Archeology)
|accessdate = 2007-04-19}}</ref>|3,000<ref name="Paul Bairoch">{{cite book
| last = Bairoch
| first = Paul
| coauthors = Jean Batou, Pierre Chèvre
| title = La Population des villes Europeennes. Banque de donnees et analyse sommaire des resultats
| origyear = 1988
| publisher = Droz
| location = Geneva
| language = French
| oclc = 19650044
| pages = p. 53
}}</ref>|15,000<ref name="Paul Bairoch" />|54,000<ref name="Paul Bairoch" />|206,000<ref name="BMA Gesch2">{{cite web
|url = http://www.bma.amsterdam.nl/adam/uk/intro/gesch2.html
|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070402012355/http://www.bma.amsterdam.nl/adam/uk/intro/gesch2.html
|archivedate=2007-04-02
|title = History of Amsterdam, The Golden Age
|publisher = Bureau Monumenten & Archeologie (Office of Monuments and Archeology)
|accessdate = 2007-04-19}}</ref>|200,600<ref name="BMA Gesch2"/>|180,000<ref name="BMA Gesch5">{{cite web
|url = http://www.bma.amsterdam.nl/adam/uk/intro/gesch5.html
|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070402012355/http://www.bma.amsterdam.nl/adam/uk/intro/gesch5.html
|archivedate=2007-04-02
|title = History of Amsterdam, Recovery and Expansion
|publisher = Bureau Monumenten & Archeologie (Office of Monuments and Archeology)
|accessdate = 2007-04-19}}</ref>|224,000<ref name="BMA Topo5">{{cite web
|url = http://www.bma.amsterdam.nl/adam/uk/intro/topo5.html
|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070402012355/http://www.bma.amsterdam.nl/adam/uk/intro/topo5.html
|archivedate=2007-04-02
|title = The 19th century Urban Expansions
|publisher = Bureau Monumenten & Archeologie (Office of Monuments and Archeology)
|accessdate = 2007-04-19}}</ref>|317,000<ref name="BMA Topo5"/>|523,577<ref name="Britannica Eleven"/>|757,000<ref name="BMA Gesch5"/>| 742,981<ref name="CBS">{{cite web
|url = http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/table.asp?PA=70072eng&D1=0,3-5,35-39,48,55-58&D2=39,66,88,126,309&D3=(l-11)-l&DM=SLEN&LA=en&TT=2
|title = Gemiddelde bevolking per regio naar leeftijd en geslacht
|publisher = Statistics Netherlands
|language = Dutch
|accessdate = 2007-07-09}}</ref>}}
</center>
==Transport==
{{main|Transportation in Amsterdam}}
[[Image:BikesInAmsterdam 2004 Crop.jpg|left|thumb|An Amsterdam bike]]
Amsterdam is one of the most [[bicycle-friendly]] cities in the world and is a centre of [[bicycle culture]] with good provision for cyclists such as bike paths and [[Bicycle rack|bike racks]], which are pervasive throughout the city. There are an estimated one million bicycles in the city.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Bike theft is common, so cyclists use large secure locks. Approximately 100 000 bicycles get stolen a year in Amsterdam.<ref name="bikes">{{cite web
|url=http://amsterdam.nl/?ActItmIdt=8546
|title=Amsterdam wint publieksprijs voor aanpak fietsendiefstal
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-17
}}</ref> People use their bicycles for a lot of different purposes, which range from going to work to picking up the children from school and doing groceries with. A wide variety of bicycles can be found throughout the city. Most people use a common bicycle, but some use [[mountain bikes]], racing bikes or even [[recumbent bikes]].
In the city centre, driving a car is discouraged. [[Parking]] fees are steep and a great number of streets are closed to cars or are one-way.<ref name="Fiets">{{cite web
|url=http://www.fiets.amsterdam.nl/live/main.asp?name=pagina&item_id=807
|title=Amsterdam Fietst
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2007-04-19
}}</ref> The local government sponsors [[carsharing]] and [[carpooling]] initiatives such as ''Autodelen'' and ''Meerijden.nu''.<ref name="cars">{{cite web
|title=Amsterdam.nl - Auto
|url=http://www.amsterdam.nl/verkeer_vervoer/auto
|accessdate = 2007-04-19
|language=Dutch}}</ref>
Public transport in Amsterdam mainly consists of bus and tram lines, operated by [[Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf]], [[Connexxion]] and [[Arriva]]. Currently, there are 16 different tramlines and a freight tram operation is being developed; there are four [[Amsterdam Metro|metro]] lines, with a fifth line, the [[North/South Line (Amsterdam metro)|North/South line]], under construction. Three free [[ferry|ferries]] carry pedestrians and cyclists across the [[IJ (bay)|IJ]] to [[Amsterdam-Noord]], and two fare charging ferries go east and west along the harbour.<ref>[http://www.amsterdamtourist.nl/en/home/about+amsterdam/Amsterdam+Surprise/article/xp/content_artikel.Surprise+EN+-Free+ferry+rides+across+the+IJ/default.aspx The official site of Amsterdam Tourism & Convention BoardFerry rides across the IJ]</ref> There are also water taxis, a water bus, a [[boat sharing]] operation and canal cruises, that transport people along Amsterdam's waterways. Some 35% of all people travelling in Amsterdam uses public transport.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
The A10 [[Ringroad]] surrounding the city connects Amsterdam with the Dutch national network of freeways. [[Interchange (road)|Interchanges]] on the A10 allow cars to enter the city by transferring to one of the eighteen ''city roads'', numbered S101 through to S118. These city roads are regional roads without [[grade separation]], and sometimes without a [[central reservation]]. Most are accessible by [[bicycle|cyclists]]. The S100 ''Centrumring'' is a smaller ringroad circumnavigating the city's centre.
Amsterdam was intended in 1932 to be the hub, a kind of [[Kilometre Zero]], of the [[List of highways in the Netherlands|highway system of the Netherlands]],<ref name="Autosnelweg 1930">{{cite web
|url = http://www.autosnelwegen.nl/asw/gs04.htm
|title = Autosnelweg.nl - Geschiedenis Autosnelwegen in Nederland
|accessdate = 2007-04-19
|publisher = Autosnelweg.nl
|language = Dutch
}}</ref> with [[freeway]]s numbered one through eight planned to originate from the city.<ref name="Autosnelweg 1930"/> The outbreak of the [[World War II|Second World War]] and shifting priorities led to the current situation, where only roads [[A1 motorway (Netherlands)|A1]], [[A2 motorway (Netherlands)|A2]], and [[A4 motorway (Netherlands)|A4]] originate from Amsterdam according to the original plan. The A3 road to [[Rotterdam]] was cancelled in 1970 in order to conserve the [[Groene Hart]]. Road [[A8 motorway (Netherlands)|A8]], leading north to [[Zaandam]] and the [[A10 motorway (Netherlands)|A10]] [[Ringroad]] were opened between 1968 and 1974.<ref name="Autosnelweg 1970">{{cite web
|url = http://www.autosnelwegen.nl/asw/gs07.htm
|title = Autosnelweg.nl - Geschiedenis Autosnelwegen in Nederland
|accessdate = 2007-04-19
|publisher = Autosnelweg.nl
|language = Dutch
}}</ref> Besides the A1, A2, A4 and A8, several freeways, such as the [[A7 motorway (Netherlands)|A7]] and [[A6 motorway (Netherlands)|A6]], carry traffic mainly bound for Amsterdam.
[[Image:TramAmsterdam.jpg|right|thumb|A tram crossing a bridge over the river [[Amstel]]]]
Amsterdam is served by eight [[Railway stations in the Netherlands#A|stations]] of the [[Nederlandse Spoorwegen]] (Dutch Railways).<ref name="Stationsweb">{{cite web
|url=http://stationsweb.brinkster.net/stationlijst.asp?prov=noord-holland
|title=Stationsweb-Noord Holland
|accessdate = 2007-04-19
|language = Dutch}}</ref> Five are intercity stops: [[Sloterdijk (Amsterdam)|Sloterdijk]], [[Amsterdam Zuid railway station|Zuid]], [[Amsterdam Amstel railway station|Amstel]], [[Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA|Bijlmer ArenA]] and [[Amsterdam Centraal]]. Many other stations exist in the Amsterdam urban area.
[[Eurolines]] has [[Coach (vehicle)|coaches]] from Amsterdam to destinations all over [[Europe]].
[[Amsterdam Centraal]] is an international train station. From the station there are regular services to destinations such as [[Belgium]], [[France]], [[Germany]], and [[Switzerland]]. Among these trains are international trains of the [[Nederlandse Spoorwegen]] and the [[Thalys]], [[CityNightLine]], and [[InterCityExpress]].<ref>{{cite web
| title = Bestemmingen
| work = [http://www.nsinternationaal.nl/ NS internationaal.nl]
| publisher = [[Nederlandse Spoorwegen]]
| url = http://www.nsinternationaal.nl/bestemmingen/bestemmingen.html
| accessdate = 2007-04-19 }}</ref>
[[Amsterdam Schiphol Airport]] is less than 20 minutes by train from Amsterdam Central Station. It is the biggest airport in the Netherlands, the fourth largest in Europe and the twelves largest in the world by passengers. It handles about 44 million passengers a year and is the home of the airline [[KLM]]. Schiphol is the third [[World's busiest airports by international passenger traffic|busiest airport in the world]] measured by international passengers.<ref name="buisiestairport">{{cite web
|url= http://geography.about.com/od/urbaneconomicgeography/a/busiestairports.htm
|title= Busiest Airports
|publisher= About.com
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-06-04
}}</ref><ref name="passengerrank">{{cite web
|url= http://www.miami-airport.com/html/passenger_rankings.html
|title= Busiest Airports by International Passengers
|publisher= Miami International Airport
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-06-04
}}</ref>
==Education==
Amsterdam has two universities: the [[Universiteit van Amsterdam|University of Amsterdam]] (Universiteit van Amsterdam), and the VU University Amsterdam ([[Vrije Universiteit]] or "VU"). Other institutions for higher education include an art school, De Rietveldacademie, the Hogeschool van Amsterdam and the Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten. Amsterdam's [[International Institute of Social History]] is one of the world's largest documentary and research institutions concerning social history, and especially the history of the labour movement. Amsterdam's [[Hortus Botanicus (Amsterdam)|Hortus Botanicus]], founded in the early 1600s, is one of the oldest [[botanical garden]]s in the world, with many old and rare specimens, among them the [[coffea|coffee plant]] that served as the parent for the entire coffee culture in Central and South America.<ref name="he">{{cite web
|url= http://www.amsterdam.info/universities/
|title= Higher Education in Amsterdam
|publisher= Amsterdam.info
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-06-04
}}</ref>
Amsterdam is thought to have excellent elementary schools. Some of these schools base their teachings on particular pedagogic theories like the various [[Maria Montessori|Montessori]] schools. Many however are based on religion. This used to be primarily Roman Catholicism and various Protestant denominations, but with the influx of Muslim immigrants there is a rise in the number of Islamic schools. You can also find Jewish schools in the southern suburbs of Amsterdam. In addition to these schools based on distinct beliefs there are public schools.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
The same goes for secondary education. Amsterdam is noted for having three independent grammar schools (Dutch: gymnasia), the [[Vossius Gymnasium]], [[Barlaeus Gymnasium]] and St. [[Ignatius Gymnasium]], where a classical curriculum including Latin and classical Greek is taught. Though believed until recently by many to be an anachronistic and elitist concept that would soon die out, the gymnasia have recently experienced a revival leading to the formation of a fourth grammar school in which the three aforementioned schools participate. Most secondary schools in Amsterdam offer a variety of different levels of education on the same school.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
==Culture==
[[Image:RijksmuseumAmsterdamMuseumplein.jpg|thumb|right|[[Rijksmuseum Amsterdam]]]]
During the later part of the 16th century Amsterdams Rederijkerskamer ([[Chamber of Rhetoric]]) organized contests between different Chambers in the reading of [[poetry]] and [[drama]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}} In 1638 Amsterdam got its first [[theatre]]. [[Ballet]] performances were given in this theatre as early as 1642. In the 18th century [[France|French]] theatre became popular. [[Opera]] could be seen in Amsterdam from 1677, first only [[Italian culture|Italian]] and French operas, but in the 18th century [[German language|German]] operas.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} In the 19th century popular culture was centred around the [[Nes]] area in Amsterdam (mainly [[vaudeville]] and music-hall).{{Fact|date=June 2008}} The [[metronome]], one of the most important advances in [[European classical music]] was invented here in 1812 by [[Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel]]. At the end of this century the [[Rijksmuseum]] and [http://users.skynet.be/museum.melle/ Gemeentelijk Museum] were built.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} In 1888 the [[Concertgebouworkest]] was established. With the 20th century came [[film|cinema]], [[radio]] and [[television]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Though the studios are in [[Hilversum]] and [[Aalsmeer]], Amsterdam's influence on programming is very strong. Many people who work for television broadcasters live in Amsterdam. Also, the headquarters of [[SBS 6]] are located in Amsterdam.<ref name="sbs6">{{cite web
|url=http://www.sbs6.nl/web/show/id=78637/langid=43
|title=Contact SBS 6
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-19
}}</ref>
===Museums===
The most important museums of Amsterdam are located on ''het Museumplein'' ([[Museum Square]]). This square is the largest square of Amsterdam and lies adjacent to the southern side of the city's centre. It was created in the last quarter of the 19th century on the grounds of the former [[World Exposition]]. The northern part of the square is bordered by the very large Rijksmuseum. In front of the Rijksmuseum on the square itself is a man-made pond. This is transformed in winter time into a ice rink.<ref name="ijsbaan">{{cite web
|url= http://www.evenementnieuws.nl/nieuws/3900/Feestelijke+opening+ijsbaan+Museumplein.html
|title= Ijsbaan Museumplein
|publisher= Evenementennieuws
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-30
}}</ref> The western part of the square is bordered by the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience and Coster Diamonds. The southern border of the Museum Square is the Van Baerlestraat, which is a major thoroughfare in this part of Amsterdam. The Concertgebouw is situated across this street from the square. To the east of the square are situated a couple of villas, one of which houses the American consulate. A parking garage can be found underneath the square, as well as a supermarket. ''Het Museumplein'' is covered almost entirely with a lawn, except for the northern part of the square which is covered with gravel. The current appearance of the square was realized in 1999, when the square was remodeled. The square itself is the most prominent site in Amsterdam for festivals and outdoor concert, especially in the summer. Plans have been made this year (2008) to remodel the square again, because many inhabitants of Amsterdam are not happy with its current appearance.<ref name="museumpleinfacelift">{{cite web
|url= http://www.topstad.amsterdam.nl/nieuws/museumplein_krijgt
|title= Museumplein krijgt facelift
|publisher= Gemeente Amsterdam
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-30
}}</ref>
[[Image:The Nightwatch by Rembrandt.jpg|thumb|right|The ''Nachtwacht'', by [[Rembrandt]]]]
The [[Rijksmuseum Amsterdam|Rijksmuseum]] possesses the largest and most important collection of classical Dutch art. It opened in 1885. Its collection consists of one million pieces of art.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} The artist most associated with Amsterdam is [[Rembrandt]], whose work, and the work of his pupils, is displayed in the Rijksmuseum. Rembrandt's masterpiece the [[Night Watch (painting)|Nightwatch]] is one of top pieces of art of the museum. It also houses paintings from artists like [[Van der Helst]], [[Vermeer]], [[Frans Hals]], [[Ferdinand Bol]], Albert Cuijp, Van Ruysdael and [[Paulus Potter]]. Besides paintings the collection consists of a large variety of decorative art. This ranges from [[Delftware]] to giant [[dollhouses]] from the 17th century. The architect of the [[gothic revival]] building was P.J.H. Cuypers. Only one wing of the Rijksmuseum is currently open to the public, where the 200 most important pieces of art are on display. The museum will open again after the year 2010. The Rijksmuseum is being expanded, renovated and a new main entrance for the museum is being created.<ref name="rijks1">{{cite web
|url= http://www.kunstbus.nl/adres/rijksmuseum+amsterdam.html
|title= Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
|publisher= Kunstbus
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-01
}}</ref><ref name="rijks2">{{cite web
|url= http://www.amsterdam.info/museums/rijksmuseum/
|title= Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
|publisher= Amsterdam.info
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-06-01
}}</ref><ref name="rijks3">{{cite web
|url= http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2786804-rijksmuseum_amsterdam-i
|title= Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
|publisher= Yahoo Travel
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-06-01
}}</ref><ref name="rijks4">{{cite web
|url= http://www.worldhum.com/weblog/item/amsterdams_rijksmuseum_closed_until_at_least_2012_20080310/
|title= Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum closed until at least 2012
|publisher= Worldhum
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-06-01
}}</ref>
[[Van Gogh]] lived in Amsterdam for a short while, so there is a [http://www3.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp museum] dedicated to his early work. The museum is housed in one of the few modern buildings in this area of Amsterdam. The building was designed by [[Gerrit Rietveld]]. This building is where the permanent collection is shown to the public. A new building was added to the museum in 1999. This building, known as the performance wing, was designed by a Japanese architect. It's purpose is to house temporary exhibitions of the museum. Some of Van Gogh's most famous paintings like the [[Aardappeleters]] and ''Zonnenbloemen'' are present in the collection of the museum. The Van Gogh museum is the most visited museum in Amsterdam.<ref name="vangogh1">{{cite web
|url= http://www.museum.nl/index.cfm/museum/Van-Gogh-Museum
|title= Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam
|publisher= Museum.nl
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-01
}}</ref><ref name="vangogh2">{{cite web
|url= http://www.amsterdam.info/museums/van_gogh_museum/
|title= Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam
|publisher= Amsterdam.info
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-06-01
}}</ref><ref name="vangogh3">{{cite web
|url= http://architectuur.org/rietveld02.php
|title= Architectuur Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam
|publisher= Architectuur.org
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-01
}}</ref>
Next to the Van Gogh museum stands the [[Stedelijk Museum]]. This is Amsterdam's most important museum concerning modern art. The museum opened it's doors at around the same time the Museum Square was created. The permanent collection consists of works of art from artists like [[Piet Mondriaan]], [[Karel Appel]], and ''Kasimir Malewitsj''. This museum is also currently being renovated and expanded. The main entrance will be relocated from the Paulus Potterstraat to the Museum Square itself. It will be open again to public in 2009.The current exhibition of this museum is housed in a former post office near the central station.<ref name="stedelijk">{{cite web
|url= http://www.kunstbus.nl/adres/stedelijk+museum+cs+amsterdam.html
|title= Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
|publisher= Kunstbus
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-01
}}</ref>
Amsterdam contains a lot more museums then just those on the [[Museum Square]]. These museums range from little ones, such as the ''Verzetsmuseum'', the [[Anne Frank House]], and the [[Rembrandthuis]], to very large ones like the [[Tropenmuseum]], [[Amsterdams Historisch Museum]], and [[Joods Historisch Museum]]. These museums are all located in the city's center or nearby.
===Performing arts===
[[Image:Concert18.jpg|thumb|The ''Grote Zaal'' of the [[Concertgebouw]]]]
Amsterdam has a world-class symphony orchestra, the [[Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra]], the [[Concertgebouw]] is the home of across the Van Baerlestraat from the Museum Square. It is considered by critics to be a [[concert hall]] with one of the best [[acoustics]] in the world. The building contains three [[halls]]: Grote Zaal, Kleine Zaal and Spiegelzaal. 800 concerts a year are performed here for a audience of approximately 850.000 people.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
The main theatre building of Amsterdam is the [[Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam]] at the [[Leidseplein]]. It is the home base of the ''Toneelgroep Amsterdam''. The current building dates from 1894. Most plays are performed in the Grote Zaal (Great Hall). The normal programm of events encompasses all sorts of theatrical forms, mostly by Dutch writers. The Stadsschouwburg is currently being renovated and expanded.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
The opera house of Amsterdam is situated adjacent to the city hall. Therefore, the two buildings combined are often called the [[Stopera]]. This word is derived from the Dutch words ''stadhuis'' (city hall) and opera. The building was officially opened in 1986. This huge modern complex lies in the former Jewish neighborhood at ''Waterlooplein'' next to the river [[Amstel]]. The ''Stopera'' is the homebase of [[De Nederlandse Opera]], [[Het Nationale Ballet]] and the ''Holland Symfonia''.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
''Het Muziekgebouw aan 't Ij'' is a new [[concert hall]], which is situated in the [[Ij]] near the central station. Its [[concerts]] are mostly modern interpretations of [[classical music]]. Adjacent to it, the ''Bimhuis'', a concert hall for [[Jazz]] music, is located.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
The [[Heineken Music Hall]] is a concert hall located near the [[Amsterdam ArenA]]. It main purpose is to serve as a podium for pop concerts. Many famous international [[artists]] like [[Armin van Buuren]], [[James Blunt]] and [[Rihanna]] have performed there.
===Nightlife, festivals===
Amsterdam has a vibrant and diverse nightlife scene and is famous for it. The two main epicentres for nightlife are the [[Leidseplein]] and [[Rembrandtplein]]. The Rembrantplein is more visited by Dutchmen from outside Amsterdam and the Leidseplein tends to be more for the locals and tourists from outside the country.<ref name="leiseplein">{{cite web
|url= http://www.amsterdam.info/sights/leidseplein/
|title= Leidseplein Amsterdam
|publisher= Amsterdam.info
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-06-03
}}</ref>
Amsterdam contains a lot of [[cafes]]. They range from large cafes, like the ones on the Leidseplein itself to smaller cafes sought after by locals in the smaller streets of this city. Passersby can sit down in a old fashion cafe, which are called a ''bruin kroeg'' by Dutchmen. These ''bruine kroegen'' contain a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere and the interior is lit with dim lights. Tourists could also choose to sit down in one of the many trendy, stylish new cafes Amsterdam has to offer. These cafes are more sought after by a younger crowd, who drink cocktails or mixed drinks. Most cafes have terraces in summertime. A common sight on the Leidseplein during summer is a square full of terraces packed with people drinking beer or wine. <ref name="cafes">{{cite web
|url= http://www.amsterdam.info/cafes/
|title= Amsterdam Cafes
|publisher= Amsterdam.info
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-06-03
}}</ref><ref name="booza">{{cite web
|url= http://www.booza.nl/
|title= Amsterdam Cafes and Restaurants Guide
|publisher= Booza.nl
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-03
}}</ref><ref name="allcafes">{{cite web
|url= http://www.channels.nl/amsterdam/all_cafes.html
|title= List of Amsterdam's cafes
|publisher= Channels.nl
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-03
}}</ref>
Many restaurants can be found in Amsterdam. Since Amsterdam is a multicultural city a lot of different ethnic restaurants can be found here. Restaurants range from being rather luxurious and expensive to being normal and affordable. Some of the best restaurants in the Netherlands are located in Amsterdam. Many hotels have an adjacent restaurant.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
Amsterdam also possesses many [[discothèques]]. Most of the discothèques are situated near or on the Leidseplein or Rembrandtplein. An example of a discothèque near the Leidseplein is the Jimmy Woo, a trendy club that only accepts those on a guest list. The Paradiso and Melkweg are cultural centres, which turn into discothèques on some nights. Those nights in the Paradiso are popular with students.<ref name="paradiso">{{cite web
|url= http://www.kindamuzik.net/live/lcd-soundsystem/noodlanding-lcd-soundsystem-2-many-dj-s
|title= Noodlanding Paradiso
|publisher= Kindamuzik.net
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-04
}}</ref> Large discothèques near the Rembrandtplein are the Escape, Club Home and Cineac (currently closed). There are in addition to these also a lot of cafes with a dance floor throughout the city. Various other large discothèques in Amsterdam are located outside these two epicentres. Panama is located near the [[Ij]], which also is a restaurant. The Powerzone is a discothèque, which used to be an office building. House music is a popular category of music in the Powerzone. Club Arena is situated near the Oosterpark and used to be a [[chapel]]. Now it is a place where people dance and drink all night long. The age limit is 21 years or older to get in, but it is not always that strict, and for some parties it is 18 years. The Reguliersdwarsstraat is the main street for [[gay bar]]s and clubs.<ref name="gay">{{cite web
|url= http://www.reguliers.net/index_en.htm
|title= Reguliersdwarsstraat
|publisher= Reguliers.net
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-06-04
}}</ref> It can get very crowded in this small street on weekend nights.
[[Image:Koninginnedag2007.jpg|thumb|right|[[Koninginnedag]] 2007 in Amsterdam]]
The [[cinemas]] of Amsterdam which feature Hollywood productions are all part of a larger chain of cinemas in the Netherlands owned by Pathe. They have two cinemas in the city's centre, one of which ([[Tuschinski]]) is a beautiful old [[art deco]] style building in the Reguliersbreestraat. Scattered throughout the city's centre are a lot of smaller cinemas, which show a various selection of movies from documentaries to movies for children.
Amsterdam is a city of festivals. In the last year alone there were 140 festivals in Amsterdam.<ref name="festivals">{{cite web
|url=http://www.at5.nl/nieuwsartikel.asp?newsid=35085
|title=Amsterdam kans op 'evenementenstad'
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-05-17
}}</ref>
Famous festivals in Amsterdam are the events taking place during [[Koninginnedag]] (Queensday), Amsterdam [[Gay Pride]] and the [[Uitmarkt]]. On Koninginnedag (Queensday), hundreds of thousands of people travel to Amsterdam to join the inhabitant to celebrate and party. The entire city will be overcrowded with people who are buying products from the ''freemarket'' or visit one of the many music concerts. It is held on the 30th of [[April]].<ref name="queensday">{{cite web
|url= http://www.amsterdam.info/queensday/
|title= Queensday in Amsterdam
|publisher= Amsterdam.info
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-06-04
}}</ref> During Gay Pride, there is a very long parade of boats with extravagant people floating on Amsterdam's canals and there are various events taking place in the city elsewhere. It is held in [[August]].<ref name="gaypride">{{cite web
|url= http://amsterdam.nl/?ActItmIdt=10073
|title= Gay Pride in Amsterdam
|publisher= Municipality Amsterdam
|language=Dutch
|accessdate = 2008-06-04
}}</ref> Finally the Uitmarkt is a cultural event which lasts three days. It consists of many [[podia]] with a lot of different artist on them, like [[musicians]] and [[poets]]. It is held in late August.<ref name="uitmarkt">{{cite web
|url= http://www.iamsterdam.com/visiting_exploring/culture/annual_cultural_0/uitmarkt
|title= Uitmarkt in Amsterdam
|publisher= IAmsterdam
|language=English
|accessdate = 2008-06-04
}}</ref>
===Fashion===
Fashion brands like [[G-star]], Gsus, BlueBlood, [[10 feet]] and [[Warmenhoven & Venderbos]] and fashion designers like Mart Visser, [[Viktor & Rolf]], Marlies Dekkers and Frans Molenaar are based in Amsterdam. Model agencies [[Elite Models]], Touche models and Tony Jones have opened branches in Amsterdam. Supermodels [[Yfke Sturm]], [[Doutzen Kroes]] and [[Kim Noorda]] started their career in Amsterdam. Amsterdam has its garment center in the World Fashion Center. Buildings formerly housing brothels in the red light district have been converted to ateliers for young upcoming fashion designers.
===Red light district===
{{main|De Wallen}}
[[Image:RedLightDistrictAmsterdam.jpg|thumb|right|[[Red Light District]]]]
'''De Wallen''', also known as '''Walletjes''' or '''Rosse Buurt''', is the largest and best-known [[red-light district]] in
Amsterdam, a major tourist attraction. It is a network of alleys containing several hundred tiny one-room apartments rented by male and female [[prostitutes]] who offer their services from behind a window or glass door, typically illuminated with red lights. The area also has a number of [[sex shop]]s, [[sex theatre]]s, [[peep show]]s, a [[sex museum]], a [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] museum, and a number of [[Cannabis coffee shop|coffee shops]] offering various cannabis products. The city administration is actively pursuing a policy of reducing the number of venues.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
===Sports===
Amsterdam is the hometown of the ''[[Eredivisie]]'' football club [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]. The stadium [[Amsterdam ArenA]] is the home of Ajax. It is located in the [[Amsterdam Zuidoost|south-east]] of the city next to the new [[Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA railway station]]. Before it moved to its current location in 1996, Ajax played their regular matches in [[De Meer Stadion]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
In 1928, Amsterdam hosted the [[1928 Summer Olympics|Games of the IXth Olympiad]]. The [[Olympisch Stadion (Amsterdam)|Olympic Stadium]] built for the occasion has been completely restored and is now used for cultural and sporting events, such as the [[Amsterdam Marathon]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
The ice hockey team [[Amstel Tijgers]] play in the [[Jaap Eden]] [[ice rink]]. The team competes in the Dutch [[ice hockey]] premier league. [[Long track speed skating|Speed skating]] championships have been held on the {{convert|400|m|ft|-1|sing=on|spell=us}} lane of this ice rink. Amsterdam is also a major destination for many skateboard competitions.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
The [[baseball]] team the [[Amsterdam Pirates]] competes in the [[Honkbal Hoofdklasse|Dutch Major League]]. There are three [[field hockey]] teams, Amsterdam, Pinoké and Hurley, who play their matches around the [[Wagener Stadium]] in the nearby city of [[Amstelveen]]. These teams are often referred to as playing in Amsterdam. The [[basketball]] team [[MyGuide Amsterdam]] competes in the Dutch premier division and play their games in the Sporthallen Zuid, near the Olympic Stadium.<ref>[http://www.sporthallenzuid.amsterdam.nl/over_sporthallen/referenties Over Sporthallen Zuid: Referenties]</ref>
Since 1999 the city of Amsterdam honours the best sportsmen and -women at the [[Amsterdam Sportsman of the year|Amsterdam Sports Awards]]. Boxer [[Raymond Joval]] and field hockey midfielder [[Carole Thate]] were the first to receive the awards in 1999.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
Since 2003, Amsterdam has also been home to the Flying Touchmen touch rugby side. This has become the Netherlands national team and is competing in the 2008 European Championships in Paris in July.
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{sisterlinks}}
'''Government'''
* [http://www.amsterdam.nl/ Amsterdam.nl] - Official government site {{nl icon}}
* [http://www.iamsterdam.com/ I amsterdam] - Portal for international visitors
* [http://www.holland.com/amsterdam/ The Amsterdam Site] - Official tourism board site
'''Other'''
* {{wikitravel|Amsterdam}}
* {{flickr|Amsterdam}}
* {{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Netherlands/North_Holland/Amsterdam}}
{{coord|52.371|4.897|display=title}}
{{Amsterdam|state=show}}
{{Template group
|title = Geographic locale
|list =
{{Province North Holland}}
{{DutchCapitalCities}}
{{European capitals}}
{{Capital cities of the European Union}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = Other
|list =
{{European Capital of Culture}}
{{Olympic Summer Games Host Cities}}
{{World Book Capital}}
}}
{{1911}}
{{1632 place referenced}}
[[Category:Amsterdam| ]]
[[Category:Capitals in Europe]]
[[Category:Cities in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages in North Holland]]
[[Category:Host cities of the Summer Olympic Games]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the North Sea]]
[[Category:Settlements established in the 13th century]]
[[af:Amsterdam]]
[[am:አምስተርዳም]]
[[ang:Amsterdam]]
[[ar:أمستردام]]
[[arc:ܐܡܣܬܪܕܡ]]
[[roa-rup:Amsterdam]]
[[frp:Amsterdam]]
[[ast:Amsterdam]]
[[az:Amsterdam]]
[[bn:অ্যামস্টারডাম]]
[[be:Горад Амстэрдам]]
[[be-x-old:Амстэрдам]]
[[bar:Amsterdam]]
[[bs:Amsterdam]]
[[br:Amsterdam]]
[[bg:Амстердам]]
[[ca:Amsterdam]]
[[cv:Амстердам]]
[[cs:Amsterdam]]
[[cy:Amsterdam]]
[[da:Amsterdam]]
[[de:Amsterdam]]
[[et:Amsterdam]]
[[el:Άμστερνταμ]]
[[es:Ámsterdam]]
[[eo:Amsterdamo]]
[[eu:Amsterdam]]
[[fa:آمستردام]]
[[fo:Amsterdam]]
[[fr:Amsterdam]]
[[fy:Amsterdam]]
[[fur:Amsterdam]]
[[ga:Amstardam]]
[[gv:Amsterdam]]
[[gd:Amsterdam]]
[[gl:Ámsterdam - Amsterdam]]
[[ko:암스테르담]]
[[hy:Ամստերդամ]]
[[hi:एम्सटर्डम]]
[[hr:Amsterdam]]
[[io:Amsterdam]]
[[ilo:Amsterdam, Nederlandia]]
[[id:Amsterdam]]
[[ia:Amsterdam]]
[[is:Amsterdam]]
[[it:Amsterdam]]
[[he:אמסטרדם]]
[[jv:Amsterdam]]
[[pam:Amsterdam]]
[[ka:ამსტერდამი]]
[[csb:Amsterdam]]
[[kk:Амстердам]]
[[sw:Amsterdam]]
[[ht:Amstèdam]]
[[ku:Amsterdam]]
[[la:Amstelodamum]]
[[lv:Amsterdama]]
[[lb:Amsterdam]]
[[lt:Amsterdamas]]
[[lij:Amsterdam]]
[[li:Amsterdam]]
[[hu:Amszterdam]]
[[mk:Амстердам]]
[[ml:ആംസ്റ്റര്ഡാം]]
[[mr:ऍम्स्टरडॅम]]
[[ms:Amsterdam]]
[[nah:Amsterdam]]
[[na:Amsterdam]]
[[nl:Amsterdam]]
[[nds-nl:Amsterdam]]
[[ja:アムステルダム]]
[[no:Amsterdam]]
[[nn:Amsterdam]]
[[nov:Amsterdam]]
[[oc:Amsterdam]]
[[pms:Àmsterdam]]
[[nds:Amsterdam]]
[[pl:Amsterdam]]
[[pt:Amsterdão]]
[[crh:Amsterdam]]
[[ro:Amsterdam]]
[[qu:Amsterdam]]
[[ru:Амстердам]]
[[sq:Amsterdami]]
[[scn:Amsterdam]]
[[simple:Amsterdam]]
[[sk:Amsterdam]]
[[sl:Amsterdam]]
[[srn:Amsterdam]]
[[so:Amsterdam]]
[[sr:Амстердам]]
[[sh:Amsterdam]]
[[fi:Amsterdam]]
[[sv:Amsterdam]]
[[ta:ஆம்ஸ்டர்டம்]]
[[th:อัมสเตอร์ดัม]]
[[vi:Amsterdam]]
[[tg:Амстердам]]
[[tr:Amsterdam]]
[[udm:Амстердам]]
[[uk:Амстердам]]
[[vec:Amsterdam]]
[[vo:Amsterdam]]
[[wo:Amsterdam]]
[[yi:אמסטערדאם]]
[[zh-yue:阿姆斯特丹]]
[[diq:Amsterdam]]
[[zea:Amsterdam]]
[[bat-smg:Amsterdams]]
[[zh:阿姆斯特丹]]