Amsterdam (/ˈæmstərdæm/, UK also /ˌæmstərˈdæm/; Dutch:
[É'mstÉ™rˈdÉ'm] (listen)) is the capital and most populous city of
the Netherlands with a population of 872,680 within the city proper,
1,380,872 in the urban area and 2,410,960 in the metropolitan area.
Found within the province of North Holland, Amsterdam is colloquially
referred to as the "Venice of the North", attributed by the large
number of canals which form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Amsterdam's
name derives from Amstelredamme, indicative of the city's origin
around a dam in the river Amstel. Originating as a small fishing
village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most
important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th
century, and became the leading centre for finance and trade. In the
19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded. Many new neighbourhoods
and suburbs were planned and built. The 17th-century canals of
Amsterdam and the 19â€"20th century Defence Line of Amsterdam are on
the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sloten, annexed in 1921 by the
municipality of Amsterdam; is the oldest part of the city, dating to
the 9th century.Amsterdam's main attractions include its historic
canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum,
Hermitage Amsterdam, the Concertgebouw, the Anne Frank House, the
Scheepvaartmuseum, the Amsterdam Museum, the Heineken Experience, the
Royal Palace of Amsterdam, Natura Artis Magistra, Hortus Botanicus
Amsterdam, NEMO, the red-light district and many cannabis coffee
shops. It drew more than 5 million international visitors in 2014. The
city is also well known for its nightlife and festival activity; with
several of its nightclubs (Melkweg, Paradiso) among the world's most
famous. Primarily known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal
system and narrow houses with gabled façades; well-preserved legacies
of the city's 17th-century Golden Age. These characteristics are
arguably responsible for attracting millions of Amsterdam's visitors
annually. Cycling is key to the city's character, and there are
numerous bike paths. Amsterdam Biography, NetWorth, Height, Age, Weight, Family, Married, Son, Daughter