The official capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is most often called Holland, has been the city of Amsterdam since 1814. It is located in the province of North Holland at the confluence of the Amstel River into the sea. More than 800 thousand people live in the city, and together with the suburbs - more than two million.
From the golden age
Once Amsterdam was a small fishing village and until the XII century, few people heard about it, except for the residents of neighboring villages. Then came the Golden Age and Amsterdam turned into a port and a trade center, the fame of which soon thundered all over the world.
Modern Amsterdam is a place of attraction for tourists from all over the world and the financial and cultural capital of the kingdom. Despite the fact that the residence of the monarch and the government moved to The Hague long ago, here the king still swears an oath of allegiance to his subjects.
The inhabitants of Amsterdam are representatives of more than 170 nationalities and it is one of the most ethnically colorful cities not only in the Old World, but in the whole world.
Loud names
The capital of Holland is home to the world's oldest stock exchange and the headquarters of the world's largest companies. Greenpeace's headquarters have also found a place in Amsterdam.
Interesting Facts
- More than 4.5 million tourists visit Amsterdam annually.
- There are almost half a million bicycles in the city, which are one of the most popular means of transportation. The reason is the ideal conditions for cyclists, the compact size of the capital and the streets that are not very convenient for cars.
- The University of the capital of Holland was founded at the beginning of the 17th century and under its roof there are 13 faculties and more than a dozen research institutes.
- The expositions of thirty of the most famous museums in Amsterdam are devoted to paintings and cats, bags and beer, diamonds and photography, archeology and horror.
How, when, what?
To travel to the capital of the kingdom, you need a Schengen visa, and the easiest way to get to Amsterdam from Russia is by air. Schiphol Airport is located half an hour's drive from the city and you can get from its terminals by train to the central station. The capital of Holland is connected by land links with many cities in Europe, and therefore it is easy to get here by train or car.
The best time to visit Amsterdam in terms of weather is mid to late spring. In April and May there is the least amount of rainfall, and the daytime temperature reaches 20 degrees, which is very comfortable for sightseeing in Amsterdam and walking around the city.
