Amsterdam

{{otheruses}}

{{Infobox Settlement
|official_name = Amsterdam
|nickname = [[Mokum]]
|motto = [[Coat of arms of Amsterdam#Motto|Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig]] ''(Valiant, Determined, Compassionate)''
|image_skyline = Amsterdam, 8 am.jpg
|imagesize = 275px
|image_caption = The Montelbaanstoren (1512) on the Oude Schans
|image_flag = Flag of Amsterdam.svg
|flag_size = 125px
|image_shield = Wapen van Amsterdam bewerkt.PNG
|shield_size = 125px
|image_map = LocatieAmsterdam.svg
|mapsize = 275px
|map_caption = Location of Amsterdam
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Netherlands]]
|subdivision_type1 = Province
|subdivision_name1 = [[North Holland]]
|government_type =
|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_title1 = [[Alderman|Aldermen]]
|leader_name1 = [[Lodewijk Asscher]] [[Hennah Buyne]] [[Carolien Gehrels]] [[Tjeerd Herrema]] [[Maarten van Poelgeest]] [[Marijke Vos]]
|leader_party = PvdA
|leader_title2 = Secretary
|leader_name2 = [[Erik Gerritsen]]
|unit_pref = Metric
|area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web
| title = Kerncijfers voor Amsterdam en de stadsdelen, 1 januari 2006
| work = [http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/ www.os.amsterdam.nl]
| publisher = Research and Statistics Service, [[Amsterdam (municipality)|City of Amsterdam]]
| 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, 1 January 2006
| work = [http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/ www.os.amsterdam.nl]
| publisher = Research and Statistics Service, [[Amsterdam (municipality)|City of Amsterdam]]
| 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_km2 = 1896
|area_blank2_title = Urban region
|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=January 2007
| url = http://www.regio-randstad.nl/actueel/uploads/Randstadmonitor_DEF_2006.pdf
| accessdate = 2007-04-04 }}</ref>
|population_total = 742884
|population_density_km2 = 4459
|population_blank2_title = [[Randstad]]
|population_blank2 = 6659300
|population_blank1_title = Urban region
|population_blank1 = 1468122
|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
|elevation_footnotes = 
|elevation_m =
|elevation_ft =
|website = [http://www.amsterdam.nl www.amsterdam.nl]
|footnotes =
}} 

{{audio|Nl-Amsterdam.ogg|'''Amsterdam'''}} ({{IPA2|ɑmstərˡdɑm}}) is the [[capital]] of the [[Netherlands]]. The name is a derivative from [[Amstel]] [[dam]],<ref name="Britannica Eleven">[[Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition]], Vol 1, p896-898.</ref>, pointing to the city's origin: a dam in the river Amstel. The city is known for its historic port, the [[Rijksmuseum]], the [[red-light district]] (''[[de Wallen]]''), the liberal [[cannabis coffee shops|coffeeshops]], and the [[canal]]s which have led to Amsterdam being termed the "Venice of the North".<ref name="Venice1">{{cite web
|url= http://www.amsterdamhotspots.nl/architecture.html
|title= Amsterdamhotspots.nl
|accessdate = 2007-04-19}}</ref><ref name="Venice2">{{cite web
|url= http://www.amsterdamtourist.nl/en/home/Feel+the+Rhythm/Pop++Jazz+++World+music/article/xp/content_artikel.enfeelmusicevent-jazz-sevenbridgesfestival/default.aspx
|title= Amsterdam Tourist Information - Seven Bridges Festival
|accessdate = 2007-04-19}}</ref> During the [[Dutch Golden Age]], Amsterdam was one of the most important ports in the world, with innovative developments in trade, and became 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><ref>http://www.jjkent.com/articles/diamond-market-Amsterdam.htm</ref>

The city, founded in the late [[12th century]] as a small fishing village, has grown to become the [[List of larger cities in the Netherlands|largest city in the Netherlands]] with a [[population]] of 743,104 inhabitants, spread over at least 172 nationalities.<ref>{{cite web
| last =Dienst Onderzoek en Statistiek
| title =Stand van de bevolking in de stadsdelen
| publisher =Gemeente Amsterdam
| date =2007-01-07
| url =http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/tabel/2007_mutatiestatistiek_stand.xls
| accessdate =2007-12-06 }}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| last =Dienst Onderzoek en Statistiek
| title =Bevolking Amsterdam naar nationaliteiten
| publisher =Gemeente Amsterdam
| date =2007-01-07
| url =http://www.os.amsterdam.nl/xls/2007_stadsdelen_106.xls
| accessdate =2007-12-06 }}</ref>

The [[metropolitan area]] with Amsterdam at its center has a population of 2,2 million inhabitants and is part of the [[conurbation]] [[Randstad]], with a population of 6,659,300 inhabitants.

==History==
{{Main|History of Amsterdam}}
The first known record of Amsterdam is [[27 October]] [[1275]], when the inhabitants of a late 12th century fishing village<ref>http://www.amsterdam.info/basics/history/</ref> who had built a bridge with a dam across the Amstel were granted freedom by count [[Floris V, Count of Holland|Floris V]] from paying a [[toll bridge|bridge toll]] .<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's wording (''homines manentes apud Amestelledamme'' - people living near ''Amestelledamme'') gives the first known use of the name Amsterdam, which by 1327 had developed into ''Aemsterdam''.<ref name="language"/> A local tradition has the city being founded by two [[Frisians|Frisian]] fishermen, who landed on the shores of the Amstel in a small boat with their dog. In any case, Amsterdam's origin is relatively recent in comparison with other Dutch cities such as [[Nijmegen]], [[Rotterdam]] and [[Utrecht]].
[[Image:Oudamsterdam.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Painting of Amsterdam in 1538]]
Amsterdam was given [[City rights in the Netherlands|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]]. In [[1345]] a [[Blessed Sacrament|Eucharistic miracle]] occurred near the [[Kalverstraat]] and Amsterdam would remain an important pilgrimage city until the [[Protestant Reformation|Alteration to the protestant faith]]; today the [[Stille Omgang]] - a silent [[procession]] in civil dress - remains of the rich pilgrimage history.

In the [[16th century]], the Dutch rebelled against [[Philip II of Spain]] and his successors. Both for his imposition of new taxes, the tenth penny, and his religious persecution of Protestantism with the [[Spanish Inquisition]]. The revolt escalated into the [[Eighty Years' War]] which ultimately led to Dutch independence. 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 [[Spain]] and [[Portugal]], prosperous merchants and printers from [[Antwerp]], [[Ghent]] and [[Bruges]] (economic and religious refugees from the part of the [[Low Countries]] still controlled by Spain), and [[Huguenot]]s from [[France]] (persecuted for their religion) sought safety in Amsterdam. The influx of Flemish printers and it's intellectual tolerance made Amsterdam a hotbed of the European free press.
[[Image:AmsterdamDamsquar.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Dam Square]] in the late 17th century: painting by [[Gerrit Adriaenszoon Berckheyde]] (Gemäldegalerie, Dresden)]]
The [[17th century]] is considered Amsterdam's "Golden Age". In the early 17th century, Amsterdam became one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Ships sailed from Amsterdam to the [[Baltic Sea]], [[North America]], [[Africa]] and present-day [[Indonesia]], [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]] and [[Brazil]], and formed the basis of a worldwide trading network. Amsterdam's merchants had the biggest share in the [[Dutch East India Company|VOC]] and [[Dutch West India Company|WIC]]. These companies acquired the overseas possessions which formed the seeds of the later [[Dutch Empire|Dutch colonies]]. Amsterdam was the most important point for the trans-shipment of goods in Europe, and it was the leading financial centre of the world. Amsterdam's [[Amsterdam Stock Exchange|stock exchange]] was the first to trade continuously.

The 18th and early 19th centuries saw a decline in Amsterdam's prosperity. The wars of the Dutch Republic with [[Kingdom of England|England]] (see [[Anglo-Dutch Wars]]) and [[France]] took their toll on Amsterdam. During the [[Napoleonic Wars]], Amsterdam's fortunes reached their lowest point. However, with the establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in [[1815]], things slowly began to improve. In Amsterdam new developments were started by people like city planner [[Samuel Sarphati]], who found their inspiration in Paris.

The end of the 19th century is sometimes called Amsterdam's second Golden Age. New museums, a train station, and the [[Concertgebouw]] were built. At this time the [[Industrial Revolution]] reached Amsterdam. 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 communication with the rest of Europe and the world dramatically. [[Joseph Conrad]] gives a brief description of Amsterdam, seen from the sea at this period, in [[q:Joseph Conrad|''The Mirror of the Sea'']] (1906). [[Image:Amsterdam airphoto.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Photo of the historical centre in 2006]]
Shortly before the [[World War I]] the city began expanding and new suburbs were built. During the war, the Netherlands remained neutral. Amsterdam suffered a food shortage, and heating fuel became scarce. The shortages sparked riots in which several people were killed.

[[Nazi Germany|Germany]] [[Battle of the Netherlands|invaded the Netherlands]] on [[10 May]] [[1940]], taking control of the country after five days of fighting. The Germans installed a Nazi civilian government in Amsterdam that cooperated in the persecution of Jews. Many Amsterdammers sheltered Jews at a high risk to themselves and their families and those that were discovered were also sent to the concentration camps. After the war approximately 120,000 Dutch were prosecuted as collaborators. More than 103,000 to 105,000 Jews were deported from the Netherlands to [[Nazi concentration camps|concentration camps]], of whom perhaps the most famous was a young German girl, [[Anne Frank]]. Only 5,000 Dutch Jews survived the war. In the last months of the war, communication with the rest of the country broke down, and food and fuel became scarce. Many inhabitants of the city had to travel to the countryside to collect food. Dogs, cats, and raw sugar beets were consumed to stay alive. [[Tulip]] bulbs - cooked to a pulp - were a common food as well. Most of the trees in Amsterdam were cut down for fuel, and all the wood was taken from the apartments of deported Jews.

==Geography==
Amsterdam fans out south from [[Amsterdam Centraal railway station]]. The [[main street]] is [[Damrak]] which leads into [[Rokin]].<ref>http://www.4holidays.gr/netherlands_amsterdam_description.html</ref> The area to the east of Damrak is the oldest area and is known as [[de Wallen]] ("the walls") after the medieval walls of the city - this area contains the city's red light area. To the south of de Wallen is the old Jewish quarter of Waterlooplein.<ref>http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/netherlands.html</ref><ref>http://www.euronet.nl/users/edusoft/waterloo/indexeng.html</ref> 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<ref>http://www.amsterdam.info/depijp/</ref>, Museumplein, containing the city's major museums, and [[Vondelpark]], the 19th century park named after the Dutch writer [[Joost van den Vondel]].

Several parts of the city and of the [[urban area]] are [[polder]]s, recognisable by their [[postfix]] ''-meer'' meaning 'lake', such as [[Aalsmeer]], [[Bijlmermeer]], [[Haarlemmermeer]], and [[Watergraafsmeer]].

===The canals===
{{Main|Canals of Amsterdam}}

[[Image:1885 NZVoorburgwal (Christiaan le Blansch).jpg|thumb|A [[woodcut]] (1885) of the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, a [[canal]] that is now a filled up]]
[[Image:Amsterdam canals.jpg|thumb|A typical Amsterdam canal]]

Much of the Amsterdam canal system is the successful outcome of [[city planning]]. In the early part of the 17th century, with [[immigration]] at a height, a comprehensive plan was put together, calling for four main, concentric half-circles of canals with their ends resting on de [[IJ (bay)|IJ]] bay. Known as the "grachtengordel"<ref>http://www.jlgrealestate.com/English/Amsterdam/Grachtengordel/</ref>, three of the canals are mostly for residential development ([[Herengracht]] or ‘’Gentleman's Canal’’; [[Keizersgracht]] or ‘’Emperor's Canal’’; and [[Prinsengracht]] or ‘’Prince's Canal’’), and a fourth, outer canal, the present Nassau/Stadhouderskade, for purposes of defense and water management. The plan also envisaged interconnecting canals along radii; a set of parallel canals in the [[Jordaan]] quarter (primarily for the transportation of goods, for example, beer); the conversion of an existing, inner perimeter canal (Singel) from a defensive purpose to residential and commercial development; and more than one hundred bridges. The defensive purpose of the Nassau/Stadhouderskade was served 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>

Construction proceeded from west to east, across the breadth of the lay-out, like a gigantic windshield wiper as the historian [[Geert Mak]] calls it – ''not'' from the center outwards as a popular myth has it. Construction of the north-western sector was started in [[1613]]. After [[1656]], with the canals in the southern sector also already finished for some time, building in that sector too was started, although slowly. The eastern part of the concentric canal plan, covering the area between the [[Amstel]] river and the IJ bay, was never implemented. In the following centuries, the land went mostly for parks, old age homes, theaters and other public facilities – and for waterways without much plan. <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 up and are now streets or squares, such as Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and [[Spui (Amsterdam)|Spui]].

===Climate===
Amsterdam enjoys a moderate temperate climate, with the weather patterns being strongly influenced by Amsterdam's proximity to the North Sea to the west and its prevailing north-western winds and gales. Winter temperatures are mild: on average above freezing, although [[frost]]s are not uncommon during spells of easterly or northeasterly winds blowing in 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, but still Amsterdam averages less than 760 mm of precipitation annually. Most of it falls as protracted drizzle or light rain. But the occasional Western storm may bring a lot of water at once, and all of it has to be pumped out to higher ground and to the seas around the city. These bodies of water make cloudy and damp days common, particularly in cooler months, October through March.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;width:100%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;"
! style="background: #99CCCC; color: #000080" height="17" |Month
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | [[January|JAN]]
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | [[February|FEB]]
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | [[March|MAR]]
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | [[April|APR]]
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | [[May|MAY]]
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | [[June|JUN]]
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | [[July|JUL]]
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | [[August|AUG]]
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | [[September|SEP]]
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | [[October|OCT]]
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | [[November|NOV]]
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | [[December|DEC]]
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" | Year
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" |Avg high °C (°F)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color:#000000;" |  5.4 (41.7)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color:#000000;" |  6.0 (42.8)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color:#000000;" |  9.2 (48.6)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 12.4 (54.3)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 17.1 (62.8)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 19.2 (66.6)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 21.4 (70.5)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 21.8 (71.2)
| style="background: #FF8000; color:#000000;" | 18.4 (65.1)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color:#000000;" | 14.1 (57.4)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color:#000000;" |  9.2 (48.6)
| style="background: #FFFFCC; color:#000000;" |  6.5 (43.7)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color:#000000;" | 13.4 (56.1)
|-
! style="background: #99CCCC; color:#000080;" height="16;" |Avg low °C (°F)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" |  0.5 (32.9)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" |  0.2 (32.4)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" |  2.4 (36.3)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" |  4.0 (39.2)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" |  7.8 (46.0)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 10.4 (50.7)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 12.5 (54.5)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 12.3 (54.1)
| style="background: #FFCC66; color: black;" | 10.2 (50.4)
| style="background: #FFFF99; color: black;" |  7.0 (44.6)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" |  3.9 (39.0)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" |  1.9 (35.4)
| style="background: #DDDDDD; color: black;" |  6.1 (43.0)
|-
| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|''Source: [http://www.worldweather.org/037/c00143f.htm#climate]''
|}

==Economy==
[[Image:NewAmsterdam333.JPG|thumb|right|New development on the south bank of the [[IJ]]]]
Amsterdam is the financial and business capital of the Netherlands and one of the most important cities in Europe in which to do business. 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, as is the European headquarters of [[Cisco Systems]].

Though many subsidiaries are located along the old canals, companies are increasingly relocating outside the city centre. The South Axis (Dutch: [[Zuidas]]) is increasingly a financial and legal center, and is intended to become the new business-face of the Netherlands. There the recently expanded [[Worldwide world trade center|World trade centre]] also has its location.

The [[Amsterdam Stock Exchange]] (AEX) is part of [[Euronext]], and is the world's oldest stock exchange. It still is one of the most important in Europe.

===Retail===
Amsterdam shops range from large department stores such as [[Metz & Co]], founded in 1740 on Leidsestraat, [[Maison de Bonneterie]] a Parisian style store founded in 1889, with entances on the Kalverstraat and Rokin, and [[De Bijenkorf]] founded in 1870 as a small store along the [[Nieuwendijk]] today being a prominent department store on Damrak/Dam Square, to small specialty shops such as [[Lambiek]], a comic shop, and De Bierkoning, a beer shop stocking nearly 1,000 different brands.<ref>http://www.europeanbeerguide.net/pubs.htm</ref><ref>http://www.allaboutbeer.com/features/245retail.html</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, among which asylants and illegals, come from [[Europe]], [[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", lit. "cores of growth". Young professionals and artists moved into neighbourhoods the [[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.

{{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
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|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070402012355/http://www.bma.amsterdam.nl/adam/uk/intro/gesch2.html
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|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
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|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>}}

==Religion==
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 center de Rode Hoed.

A large influx of foreigners of many religions into 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<ref>http://www.jewishhistoryamsterdam.com/jewish-history-amsterdam.html</ref>.

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. 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 recognisable 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. Despite an absence of an official Jewish [[ghetto]], most Jews preferred to settle in the [[Jordaan]] neighbourhood, the north western part of the Amsterdam canal girdle.

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 did Amsterdam's relation to Catholicism normalised, 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]].

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]], and a liberal branch of [[Islam]]. Turks, Kurds and Moroccans have introduced other Islamic sects. 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 been established congregations, including [[Buddhism]], [[Confucianism]], [[Hare Krishna]], [[Bhagwan]] and [[Scientology]].

==Culture==
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]]. 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. In the 19th century popular culture was centered around the [[Nes]] area in Amsterdam (mainly [[vaudeville]] and music-hall). 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. In 1888 the [[Concertgebouworkest]] was established. With the 20th century came [[film|cinema]], [[radio]] and [[television]]. Though the studios are in [[Hilversum]] and [[Aalsmeer]], Amsterdam's influence on programming is very strong.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}

===Art===
The artist most associated with Amsterdam is [[Rembrandt]], whose work, and the work of his pupils, is displayed in the [[Rijksmuseum Amsterdam|Rijksmuseum]]. [[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.

Amsterdam has a world-class symphony orchestra, the [[Concertgebouworkest]], the home base of which is the [[Concertgebouw]].

===Fashion===
Amsterdam has developed itself into a European fashion capital. Big fashion brands like [[G-star]], [[10 feet]] and [[Warmenhoven & Venderbos]] and fashion designers like Mart Visser [[Viktor & Rolf]], Marlies Dekkers and Frans Molenaar are headquartered in Amsterdam. Also model agencies like [[Elite Models]], Touche models and Tony Jones have opened departments in Amsterdam. Supermodels like [[Yfke Sturm]], [[Doutzen Kroes]] and [[Kim Noorda ]] started their career in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is also known for its World Fashion Centre.

===Tourist attractions===
{{Main|List of tourist attractions in Amsterdam}}
[[Image:annefrankmuseum.jpg|thumb|left|Nearly a million people a year visit the [[Anne Frank House]] on the [[Prinsengracht]].<ref>http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?PID=766&LID=2</ref>]]

Visitors are attracted to Amsterdam for its reputation as a liberal city; its relaxed charm emphasised by elegant, narrow fronted merchant's houses and enchanting canals; and the reputation of its museums.

The major museums are the [[Rijksmuseum Amsterdam|Rijksmuseum]], the [[Stedelijk Museum]], the [[Rembrandt House Museum]], and the [[Van Gogh Museum]], which houses the largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings in the world. The [[Anne Frank House]], a museum dedicated to the story of [[Anne Frank]], is also a popular tourist attraction.

The liberal nature of Amsterdam is not only physically embodied in the layout of the city such as, the [[de Wallen]] area which contains the [[red-light district]], and many [[cannabis coffee shops|coffeeshops]] which sell [[cannabis]] but it is also embodied in the well-rounded, prevailing attitudes of its residents, government and businesses. Amsterdam's red-light district is located in the centre of the city and is clearly marked on maps. Window [[prostitution in the Netherlands]] is legal at specific places. Cannabis selling, however, is not - but it is tolerated when small quantities of cannabis (up to 5 grams) are involved.<ref>http://www.thesite.org/travelandfreetime/travel/beingthere/amsterdamdruglaws</ref> Previously in Amsterdam a handful of [[smart shop]]s sold [[psilocybin mushrooms]] and [[drug paraphernalia]]. However psilocybin mushrooms have recently been made illegal. Though illegal to consume in public, these mushrooms are still sold by several smart shops.

===Red light district===
{{main|De Wallen}}
[[Image:Amsterdam red light district 24-7-2003.JPG|thumb|right|200px|The 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 female [[prostitutes]] (and some [[Kathoey|ladyboys]]) 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]] museum, and a number of [[Cannabis coffee shops|coffee shops]] offering various cannabis products.

===Sports===
Amsterdam is the hometown of ''[[Eredivisie]]'' football club [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]. Its home base is the modern stadium [[Amsterdam ArenA]], located in the south-east of the city.

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]].

Amsterdam also is home to a famous [[ice rink]], the [[Jaap Eden]] baan. The [[Amstel Tijgers]] play in this arena in the Dutch [[ice hockey]] premier league. In [[long track speed skating|speed skating]] many international championships have been fought in the {{convert|400|m|ft|-1|sing=on|spell=us}} lane of this ice rink.

The city also has a [[baseball]] team, the [[Amsterdam Pirates]], who play 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]]. These teams are often referred to as playing in Amsterdam; however, all of them (even Amsterdam) play their matches in the neighbouring city of [[Amstelveen]]. There is also a [[basketball]] team, the [[Amsterdam Astronauts]], who compete in the Dutch premier division and play their games in the Sporthallen Zuid, near the Olympic Stadium.

Since 1999 the city of Amsterdam has honoured its 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.

==Transportation==
{{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 ubiquitous throughout the city. There are an estimated one million bicycles in the city. However, bike theft is common, so cyclists use large secure locks.<ref>http://www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com/Default.aspx?tabid=27</ref><ref>http://www.ski-epic.com/amsterdam_bicycles/</ref>

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="Amsterdam.nl Auto">{{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]]; however, 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</ref> There are also water taxis and a water bus, in addition to the canal cruises, that transport people along Amsterdam's waterways.<ref>http://www.frommers.com/destinations/amsterdam/0043030395.html</ref>


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 s118. These city roads are regional roads without [[grade separation]], and sometimes without a [[central reservation]]. Most are accessible by [[bicycle|cyclists]]. The s100 is called the centrumring, a smaller ringroad circumnavigating the city centre.


Amsterdam was intended in 1932 to be a major hub 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"/> However, 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, leading north to [[Zaandam]] and the 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 and A6, carry traffic mainly bound for Amsterdam.


[[Image:Tram Amsterdam.jpg|right|thumb|A tram on Javaplein]]
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 with destinations in [[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 tenth largest in the world.<ref>http://www.iconics.com/industries/pdfs/ss-bc-Schiphol.pdf</ref> It handles about 44 million passengers a year and is home base to [[KLM]]. Schiphol is the third [[World's busiest airports by international passenger traffic|busiest airport in the world]] measured by international passengers.

==Education==
Amsterdam has two universities: the [[Universiteit van Amsterdam|University of Amsterdam]] (Universiteit van Amsterdam), and the [[Vrije Universiteit|Free University]] (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, amongst them the [[coffea|coffee plant]] that served as the parent for the entire coffee culture in Central and South America.

Amsterdam is thought to have excellent primary 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 Muslim schools. In addition to these schools based on distinct beliefs there are public schools.

The same goes for secondary education. Amsterdam is noted for having 3 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.

==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</ref>
===Definitions===
[[Image:AmsterdamStadsdelen.png|thumb|left|The 15 boroughs of Amsterdam]]

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.<ref name="MetroUrban">{{cite web|author=Mathieu Vliegen
|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5SL7bDWQF
|filetype=pdf|publisher=Statistics Netherlands|title=Grootstedelijke agglomeraties
en stadsgewesten afgebakend|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref> 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]], [[Politics of the Netherlands (terminology)#Wethouder|aldermen]], and the [[Politics of the Netherlands (terminology)#Gemeenteraad|municipal council]]. However, unlike most other Dutch municipalities, Amsterdam is subdivided into fifteen ''[[stadsdeel|stadsdelen]]'' (boroughs), a system that was implemented in the [[1980]]s 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.

===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]].

===Symbols===
{{main|Coat of arms of Amsterdam}}
{{main|Flag of Amsterdam}}
[[Image:Wapen van Amsterdam bewerkt.PNG|thumb|right]]
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. Historians believe they represent the three dangers which have traditionally plagued the city: [[flood]], [[fire]], and [[pestilence]]. This part of the coat or 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]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat|Amsterdam}}
*[http://www.amsterdam.nl/ Amsterdam.nl] - city government website {{nl icon}}
*[http://www.iamsterdam.com/ I amsterdam] - international Amsterdam portal
*[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=108714195091031357259.00044117dba3e045f2404&ll=52.368787,4.895697&spn=0.037208,0.078964&z=14&om=1 Illustrated Google map of Amsterdam]
*{{Wikitravel|Amsterdam}}

{{Province North Holland}}
{{DutchCapitalCities}}
{{European Capital of Culture}}
{{Capital cities of the European Union}}
{{World Book Capital}}
{{Olympic Summer Games Host Cities}}
{{1911}}

{{1632 place referenced}}

[[Category:Settlements established in the 13th century]]
[[Category:Amsterdam| ]]
[[Category:Capitals in Europe]]
[[Category:Cities in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Host cities of the Summer Olympic Games]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages in North Holland]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the North Sea]]
[[Category:Turkish communities]]

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