- Where is the city of Amsterdam
- History of Amsterdam
- How to get to Amsterdam
- Districts of Amsterdam
- What to do in Amsterdam
Unusual and authentic in its own way, Amsterdam attracts the attention of tourists not only for being the capital of the Netherlands, but also for the unique combination of various cultures that have merged together in this amazing place. Today, representatives of more than 180 cultural communities live in the city, and the global significance of Amsterdam is increasing due to the presence in the metropolis of the main office of the Greenpeace organization. In order to find out where Amsterdam is located, it is enough to remember the location of the Netherlands.
Where is the city of Amsterdam
Since 1814, Amsterdam is considered the official capital of the Netherlands Kingdom and is part of the metropolitan area called Randstad. The main geographical landmark of Amsterdam is the province of North Holland, the western part of which is occupied by this beautiful European city, erected at the mouth of the Amstel River, which is considered part of the IJsselmeer Bay. The Amstel reservoir plays an important role in the formation of the city's infrastructure, as it creates an original network of canals flowing through the whole of Amsterdam.
It is also worth noting that the capital of the Netherlands connects to the North Sea via the Nordsee Canal, while the wide Amsterdam-Rhine Canal flows into the Rhine River and is 2 meters below sea level.
The closest provinces to Amsterdam are Flevoland and Utrecht, so tourists who come to see the city often combine their travel with trips to the surrounding area. As a large metropolis, Amsterdam underwent rapid urbanization in a short time, after which most of the natural landscape of the city was almost completely destroyed. Currently, the number of residents varies from 800,000 to 2,000,000, including the suburban area.
History of Amsterdam
According to historical data, the name "Amsterdam" translates as "dam on the Amstel River", which in the second half of the 12th century became a flood relief for the inhabitants of the small fishing village of Amstel. From that moment on, the official history of Amsterdam began its countdown. In the future, the city grew thanks to the efforts of the local leadership, which took maximum measures to drain the area around Amsterdam.
At the turn of the XIII - XIV centuries, the fishing settlement received the status of a city, where tax duties were abolished. This fact had a beneficial effect on the economic growth of Amsterdam. In just a few decades, the city has developed into a cultural, business and commercial center for the Netherlands, as evidenced by the construction of luxury homes, museums, the creation of a stock exchange, as well as the increasing annual income from the sale of goods to other countries. However, at the end of the 18th century, under the reign of Louis Bonoparte, Amsterdam suffered a series of economic crises, after which the ruler was overthrown by popular rebels, and William I ascended the throne.
The 19th century became for the capital of the Netherlands a time of rapid development not only of industry, but also of technology, which significantly influenced the further prosperity of the city. In the middle of the same century, Amsterdam was seized by the Cultural Revolution, which entailed an influx of supporters of the hippie movement, who over time became associated with the capital of the Netherlands.
How to get to Amsterdam
Travel to Amsterdam can be done in a variety of ways. However, some of them are not available to everyone and are expensive. Having decided to go to Amsterdam, you need to worry about buying plane tickets in advance. As a rule, there are no problems with this issue, since Russian Airlines and KLM airlines fly from large cities of Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg) to the capital of the Netherlands by direct flights. The total travel time is 3 to 3.5 hours, after which you will arrive at Schiphol International Airport. You can also take charter flights from connections in Frankfurt, Vienna, Copenhagen or Riga.
Oddly enough, but to Amsterdam from Moscow there are buses, the routes of which are travel companies specializing in trips to Europe. Having chosen this option, be prepared for the fact that you will spend about two days on the road. The bus makes stops in cities such as Smolensk, Brest, Salzgitter, Dortmund, Duisburg and others. At the same time, you will have a unique opportunity to see picturesque landscapes while traveling in comfortable conditions.
Tourists who prefer long journeys are advised to travel to Amsterdam by train from Moscow. The cars are equipped with everything necessary for a smooth journey, and the journey will take about 35-37 hours. If you are in Europe, you can easily travel to Amsterdam by train from France, Belgium, Germany and the UK.
The most original way to travel to Amsterdam is by steamer, but this option can only be realized from Scandinavia or the UK. An extensive network of canals and rivers allows you to reach your destination in a short time, and the cost of the ticket will pleasantly surprise you.
Districts of Amsterdam
Geographically, the capital of the Netherlands is divided into administrative regions, each of which plays a significant role in the cultural and tourist areas of the city. The official list of the most attractive areas, from the point of view of visitors, includes:
- Sentre, located in the central part of the city and is a key tourist attraction. Old quarters of bizarre shape, colorfully decorated buildings, a small square, numerous canals and bridges - all this can be seen with your own eyes, taking a walk along the Center.
- Audzeids, famous for the fact that the history of Amsterdam began from this quarter. The area is home to major architectural landmarks, as well as the Red Light District, known for being fully legalized for prostitution.
- Nievesides, traditionally considered a new area, but most of the buildings date back to different time periods. Nievesides is a mix of old buildings with respectable business centers, shops and a serene atmosphere.
- Grachtengordel, which is a space with an extensive network of city canals crossing in different directions. In 2010, the area was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which significantly increased its historical status.
- Jewish, attracting the attention of thousands of tourists every year, since the great painter Rembrandt once lived here, as evidenced today by the house-museum dedicated to the memory of the artist. The area is also popular due to its developed infrastructure, numerous cafes and restaurants offering delicious local cuisine.
- Zuid is a worthy pastime, since in this area you can not only enjoy excursions to various museums, but also get acquainted with the original architectural structures, the external facades of which are made in the form of musical instruments.
What to do in Amsterdam
Arriving in the capital of the Netherlands, do not miss the chance to get to know this colorful city as much as possible. Every tourist will find something to their liking here. Fans of educational tourism are advised to visit numerous museums offering exhibitions on historical, cultural and other topics.
You can also independently explore the architectural sights that are in the city at every turn. The main condition is to take a detailed map of the city with you or use your phone navigator.
Those who want to try the well-known products containing marijuana can walk along the main street and find a lot of coffee shops. There are usually many clubs and pubs near such establishments.
One of the most exciting things to do in Amsterdam is a tour of the ancient canals on a river tram. During the trip, you will listen to an audio recording telling about the places you pass by.
Do not forget to go to local restaurants where you will have a real gastronomic pleasure and taste the delicious herring prepared according to traditional Dutch recipes.
