--- title: Amsterdam — English Wikipedia · full text with trees description: Wikipedia's «Amsterdam», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Amsterdam (ˌɑmstərˈdɑm; lit. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Amsterdam/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Amsterdam # Amsterdam From Wikipedia, [«Amsterdam»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. The English Wikipedia article «Amsterdam», whole: 55 sections, 728 sentences and 13649 words, its 266 notes at the end. The marks in brackets «[n]» are Wikipedia's own, each leading to its note and source; the small number after every sentence leads to the sentence's own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Amsterdam/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Amsterdam/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Amsterdam/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Amsterdam/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Amsterdam/page/6/) | Facts | | | --- | --- | | | **Amsterdam** | | | **[Capital city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_of_the_Netherlands) and [municipality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_the_Netherlands)** | | | Flag Coat of arms [Logo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logo) | | | Nicknames: The [Venice of the North](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice_of_the_North), [Mokum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mokum), Damsko | | | Mottoes: [Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Amsterdam) (Valiant, Steadfast, Compassionate) s | | | Location of Amsterdam municipality | | | Coordinates: | | Country | [Netherlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands) | | [Province](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Netherlands) | [North Holland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Holland) | | [Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_regions_of_the_Netherlands) | [Metropolitan Region Amsterdam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Region_Amsterdam) | | Founded | c. | | [City Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seat_of_local_government) | [Stopera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stopera) | | **Government [\[1\]](page/6/#ref-1 "note 1")** | | | • Body | [Municipal council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipal_council_%28Netherlands%29) | | • [Mayor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mayors_of_Amsterdam) | [Femke Halsema](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femke_Halsema) ([GL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GroenLinks)) | | **Area [\[2\]](page/6/#ref-2 "note 2")** | | | • [Municipality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_the_Netherlands) | 219.32 km² (84.68 sq mi) | | • Land | 165.76 km² (64.00 sq mi) | | • Water | 53.56 km² (20.68 sq mi) | | • [Metro region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Region_Amsterdam) | 2,580.26 km² (996.24 sq mi) | | • [Randstad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randstad) | 6,296.91 km² (2,431.25 sq mi) | | **Population (May 2026)[\[3\]](page/6/#ref-3 "note 3")** | | | • [Municipality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_the_Netherlands) | 946,447 | | • Density | 5,709.7/km² (14,788.2/sq mi) | | • [Urban](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_area) | 1,496,215 | | • [Metro region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Region_Amsterdam) | 2,480,394 | | • [Metro region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Region_Amsterdam) density | 961.3/km² (2,489.7/sq mi) | | • [Randstad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randstad) | 8,116,000 | | • [Randstad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randstad) density | 1,288.9/km² (3,338.2/sq mi) | | Demonym | Amsterdammer | | **GDP [\[4\]](page/6/#ref-4 "note 4")[\[5\]](page/6/#ref-5 "note 5")** | | | • [Metro region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Region_Amsterdam) | €201.100 billion (2022) | | • [Randstad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randstad) | €602.711 billion (2024) | | [Time zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_zone) | [UTC+1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTC+1) ([CET](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_European_Time)) | | • Summer ([DST](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time)) | [UTC+2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTC+2) ([CEST](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_European_Summer_Time)) | | [Postcode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postal_codes_in_the_Netherlands) | 1000–1183 | | [Area code](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_numbers_in_the_Netherlands) | 020 | | Climate | [Temperate oceanic climate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperate_oceanic_climate) (Cfb) | | [GeoTLD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeoTLD) | [.amsterdam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.amsterdam) | Amsterdam[\[6\]](page/6/#ref-6 "note 6")[\[7\]](page/6/#ref-7 "note 7") (ˌɑmstərˈdɑm; lit.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") ‘[Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dam) in the [Amstel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstel)’)[\[8\]](page/6/#ref-8 "note 8") is the [capital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_of_the_Netherlands)[\[9\]](page/6/#ref-9 "note 9") and [largest city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_the_Netherlands) of the [Netherlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands).[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") As of 1 January 2026, it had a population of 941,873 within the city proper,[\[10\]](page/6/#ref-10 "note 10") 1,457,018 in the [urban area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Region_of_Amsterdam) and 2,480,394 in the [metropolitan area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Region_Amsterdam).[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") Located in the [Dutch province](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Netherlands) of [North Holland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Holland),[\[11\]](page/6/#ref-11 "note 11") Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the "[Venice of the North](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice_of_the_North)", for its [large number of canals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canals_of_Amsterdam), now a [UNESCO World Heritage Site](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site).[\[12\]](page/6/#ref-12 "note 12")[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") Amsterdam was founded at the mouth of the [Amstel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstel) river, which was dammed to control flooding.[\[13\]](page/6/#ref-13 "note 13")[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Originally a small fishing village in the 12th century, Amsterdam became a major world port during the [Dutch Golden Age](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Golden_Age) of the 17th century, when the Netherlands was an economic powerhouse.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Amsterdam was the leading centre for finance and trade, as well as a hub of secular art production.[\[14\]](page/6/#ref-14 "note 14")[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded and new neighborhoods and suburbs were built.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") The city has a long tradition of openness, liberalism, and tolerance.[\[15\]](page/6/#ref-15 "note 15")[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") [Cycling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_in_the_Netherlands) is key to the city's modern character, and there are numerous [biking paths and lanes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_infrastructure) spread throughout.[\[16\]](page/6/#ref-16 "note 16")[\[17\]](page/6/#ref-17 "note 17")[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") [Amsterdam's main attractions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tourist_attractions_in_Amsterdam) include its [historic canals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canals_of_Amsterdam); the [Rijksmuseum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rijksmuseum), the state museum with Dutch Golden Age art; the [Van Gogh Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Gogh_Museum); the [Dam Square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dam_Square), where the [Royal Palace of Amsterdam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Palace_of_Amsterdam) and former city hall are located; the [Amsterdam Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam_Museum); [Stedelijk Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stedelijk_Museum_Amsterdam), with modern art; the [Concertgebouw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concertgebouw,_Amsterdam) concert hall; the [Anne Frank House](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Frank_House); the [Scheepvaartmuseum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Het_Scheepvaartmuseum), the [Natura Artis Magistra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natura_Artis_Magistra); [Hortus Botanicus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hortus_Botanicus_Amsterdam), [NEMO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMO_%28museum%29), the [red-light district](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-light_district) and [cannabis coffee shops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffeeshop_%28Netherlands%29).[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") The city is known for its nightlife and festival activity, with several nightclubs among the world's most famous.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Its artistic heritage, canals, and narrow canal houses with gabled [façades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facade), well-preserved legacies of the city's 17th-century Golden Age, have attracted millions of visitors annually.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Amsterdam Stock Exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam_Stock_Exchange), founded in 1602, is considered the oldest "modern" securities market [stock exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_exchange) in the world.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") As the commercial capital of the Netherlands and one of the top [financial centres](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_centre) in Europe, Amsterdam is considered an [alpha-world city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha-world_city).[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") The city is the cultural capital of the Netherlands.[\[18\]](page/6/#ref-18 "note 18")[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Many large Dutch institutions have their headquarters in the city.[\[19\]](page/6/#ref-19 "note 19")[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Many of the world's largest companies are based in Amsterdam or have established their European headquarters there, such as technology companies [Uber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uber), [Netflix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix), and [Tesla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla,_Inc.).[\[20\]](page/6/#ref-20 "note 20")[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Although Amsterdam is the official [capital of the Netherlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_of_the_Netherlands), it is not the [seat of government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seat_of_government).[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") The main governmental institutions, and foreign embassies, are located in [The Hague](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hague) [corpus](../The_Hague/ "in our corpus").[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2022, Amsterdam was ranked the ninth-best city to live in by the [Economist Intelligence Unit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economist_Intelligence_Unit)[\[21\]](page/6/#ref-21 "note 21") and 12th on quality of living for environment and infrastructure by Mercer.[\[22\]](page/6/#ref-22 "note 22")[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") The city was ranked 4th place globally as a top [tech hub](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tech_hub) in 2019.[\[23\]](page/6/#ref-23 "note 23")[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Port of Amsterdam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Amsterdam) is the fourth largest in Europe.[\[24\]](page/6/#ref-24 "note 24")[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") The [KLM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KLM) hub and Amsterdam's main airport, [Schiphol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam_Airport_Schiphol), is the [busiest airport in the Netherlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_busiest_airports_in_the_Netherlands), and [third in Europe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_busiest_airports_in_Europe).[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") The Dutch capital is one of the most [multicultural](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiculturalism) cities in the world, with about 180 nationalities represented.[\[25\]](page/6/#ref-25 "note 25")[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Immigration and ethnic segregation in Amsterdam is a current issue.[\[26\]](page/6/#ref-26 "note 26")[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") Amsterdam's notable residents throughout [its history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Amsterdam) include painters [Rembrandt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt) and [Vincent van Gogh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_van_Gogh), 17th-century philosophers [Baruch Spinoza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruch_Spinoza), [John Locke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke), [René Descartes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/René_Descartes), and [John Amos Comenius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Amos_Comenius), and [Holocaust](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocaust) victim and diarist [Anne Frank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Frank).[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") ## History Main article: [History of Amsterdam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Amsterdam) ### Prehistory Due to its geographical location in what used to be wet [peatland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mire), the founding of Amsterdam is later than other [urban centres in the Low Countries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_urban_centers_in_the_Low_Countries).[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") However, around the area of what later became Amsterdam, farmers settled as early as three millennia ago.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") They lived along the prehistoric [IJ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IJ_%28Amsterdam%29) river and upstream of its [tributary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tributary) Amstel.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") The prehistoric IJ was a shallow and quiet stream in peatland behind [beach ridges](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_ridge).[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") This secluded area was able to grow into an important local settlement centre, especially in the late [Bronze Age](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Age_Europe), the [Iron Age](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Age_Europe) and the [Roman Age](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire).[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") [Neolithic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic) and Roman artefacts have also been found in the prehistoric [Amstel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstel) bedding under Amsterdam's [Damrak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damrak) and [Rokin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rokin), such as shards of [Bell Beaker culture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Beaker_culture) [pottery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pottery) (2200–2000 BC) and a granite grinding stone (2700–2750 BC),[\[27\]](page/6/#ref-27 "note 27")[\[28\]](page/6/#ref-28 "note 28") but the location of these artefacts around the river banks of the Amstel probably points to the presence of a modest semi-permanent or seasonal settlement.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") Until water issues were controlled, a permanent settlement would not have been possible, since the river mouth and the banks of the Amstel in this period in time were too wet for permanent habitation.[\[29\]](page/6/#ref-29 "note 29")[\[30\]](page/6/#ref-30 "note 30")[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Founding The origins of Amsterdam are linked to the development of a dam on the [Amstel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstel) River called [Amestelle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstelland), meaning 'watery area', from [Aa(m)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikt:Aa) 'river' + [stelle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikt:stelling) 'site at a shoreline', 'river bank'.[\[31\]](page/6/#ref-31 "note 31")[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") In this area, [land reclamation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_reclamation) started as early as the late 10th century.[\[32\]](page/6/#ref-32 "note 32")[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") Amestelle was located along a side arm of the IJ.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") This sidearm took its name from the eponymous land: Amstel.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Amestelle was inhabited by farmers, who lived more inland and more upstream, where the land was not as wet as at the banks of the downstream river mouth.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") These farmers were starting the reclamation around upstream [Ouderkerk aan de Amstel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouderkerk_aan_de_Amstel), and later at the other side of the river at [Amstelveen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstelveen).[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Van Amstel family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Amstel_family), known in documents by this name since 1019,[\[31\]](page/6/#ref-31 "note 31") held the stewardship in this northwestern nook of the ecclesiastical district of the [bishop of Utrecht](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince-Bishopric_of_Utrecht).[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") The family later served also under the [count of Holland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_of_Holland).[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") A major turning point in the development of the Amstel River mouth was the [All Saint's Flood of 1170](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Flood_%281170%29).[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") In an extremely short time, the shallow river IJ turned into a wide estuary, which from then on offered the Amstel an open connection to the [Zuiderzee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuiderzee), [IJssel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IJssel), and waterways further afield.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") This made the water flow of the Amstel more active, so excess water could be drained better.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") With drier banks, the downstream Amstel mouth became attractive for permanent habitation.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") Moreover, the river had grown from an insignificant peat stream into a junction of international waterways.[\[33\]](page/6/#ref-33 "note 33")[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") A settlement was built here immediately after the landscape change of 1170.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") Right from the start of its foundation it focused on traffic, production, and trade; not on farming, as opposed to how communities had lived further upstream for the past 200 years and northward for thousands of years.[\[34\]](page/6/#ref-34 "note 34")[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") The construction of a dam at the mouth of the Amstel, eponymously named [Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dam_Square), is historically estimated to have occurred between 1264 and 1275.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") The settlement first appeared in a document from 1275, concerning a [road toll](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_toll_%28historical%29) granted by the [count of Holland Floris V](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floris_V,_Count_of_Holland) to the residents apud Amestelledamme 'at the dam in the Amstel' or 'at the dam of Amstelland'.[\[35\]](page/6/#ref-35 "note 35")[\[8\]](page/6/#ref-8 "note 8")[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") This allowed the inhabitants of the village to travel freely through the [County of Holland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_of_Holland), paying no tolls at bridges, locks and dams.[\[36\]](page/6/#ref-36 "note 36")[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") This was a move in a years-long struggle for power in the area between the count of Holland and the Amstel family who governed the area on behalf of the bishop of Utrecht.[\[37\]](page/6/#ref-37 "note 37")[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") By 1327, the name had developed into Aemsterdam.[\[38\]](page/6/#ref-38 "note 38")[\[39\]](page/6/#ref-39 "note 39")[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") See also: [van Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Dam) ### Middle Ages The bishop of Utrecht granted Amsterdam zone [rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_rights_in_the_Low_Countries) in either 1300 or 1306.[\[40\]](page/6/#ref-40 "note 40")[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Mirakel van Amsterdam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirakel_van_Amsterdam) in 1345 rendered the city an important place of [pilgrimage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrimage).[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") During the heyday of the [Stille Omgang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stille_Omgang), which became the expression of the pilgrimage after the [Protestant Reformation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Reformation),[\[41\]](page/6/#ref-41 "note 41")[\[42\]](page/6/#ref-42 "note 42") up to 90,000 pilgrims came to Amsterdam.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") From the 14th century on, Amsterdam flourished, largely from trade with the [Hanseatic League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanseatic_League).[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") From the 15th century on the city established an independent [trade route with the Baltic Sea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltic_maritime_trade_%28c._1400–1800%29) in grain and timber, cutting out the Hanseatic League as middlemen.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") The city became the staple market of Europe for [bulk cargo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulk_cargo).[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") This was made possible due to innovations in the [herring fishery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herring), from which Amsterdam reaped great wealth.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") Herring had demand in markets all around Europe.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") Inventions of on-board [gibbing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibbing) and the [haringbuis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herring_buss) in 1415, made longer voyages feasible and hence enabled Dutch fishermen to follow the herring [shoals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoaling_and_schooling) far from the coasts, giving them a monopoly in the industry.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") The herring industry relied on international trade cooperation and large initial investments in ships.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") This required many highly skilled and unskilled workers to cooperate, as well as the import of the necessary raw materials to turn an unfinished product into a marketable one.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") This required merchants to then sell it throughout the continent and bookkeepers and accountants to divide the profit.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") In short, the herring industry was setting up the foundations for what would later become the transcontinental trade system and the [Dutch Golden Age](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Golden_Age), with Amsterdam at its centre, hence the saying "Amsterdam is built on Herringbones".[\[13\]](page/6/#ref-13 "note 13")[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") ### War with Spanish Empire The Low Countries were part of the Habsburg inheritance and came under the [Spanish Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Empire) in the early sixteenth century.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") The Dutch rebelled against [Philip II of Spain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_II_of_Spain), who led a defense of Catholicism during the Protestant Reformation.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") The main reasons for the uprising were the imposition of new taxes, the tenth penny, and the [religious persecution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_persecution) of Protestants by the newly introduced [Inquisition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquisition_of_the_Netherlands).[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") The revolt escalated into the [Eighty Years' War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eighty_Years%27_War), which ultimately led to Dutch independence.[\[43\]](page/6/#ref-43 "note 43")[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") Strongly pushed by [Dutch Revolt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Revolt) leader [William the Silent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_the_Silent), the [Dutch Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Republic) became known for its relative [religious](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_religion_in_the_Netherlands) tolerance.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") [Jews](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_the_Netherlands) from the [Iberian Peninsula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_Peninsula), Protestant [Huguenots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huguenot) from France, prosperous merchants, and printers from [Flanders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flanders), and economic and religious refugees from the Spanish-controlled parts of the [Low Countries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Countries) found safety in Amsterdam.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") The influx of Flemish printers and the city's intellectual tolerance made Amsterdam a centre for the European [free press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_press).[\[44\]](page/6/#ref-44 "note 44")[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Centre of the Dutch Golden Age During the 17th century, Amsterdam experienced what is considered its [Golden Age](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Golden_Age), during which it became the wealthiest city in the Western world.[\[45\]](page/6/#ref-45 "note 45")[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") Ships sailed from Amsterdam to the [Baltic Sea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltic_Sea), the Caribbean, North America, and Africa, as well as present-day [Indonesia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia) [corpus](../Indonesia/ "in our corpus"), India, [Sri Lanka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka) [corpus](../Sri_Lanka/ "in our corpus"), and [Brazil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil) [corpus](../Brazil/ "in our corpus"), forming the basis of a worldwide trading network.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") Amsterdam's merchants had the largest share in both the [Dutch East India Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_East_India_Company) (VOC) and the [Dutch West India Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_West_India_Company).[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") These companies acquired overseas possessions that later became [Dutch colonies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Empire).[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") Amsterdam was Europe's most important hub for the shipment of goods and was the leading [financial centre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_centre) of the Western world.[\[46\]](page/6/#ref-46 "note 46")[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1602, the Amsterdam office of the Dutch East India Company became the world's first [stock exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_exchange) by trading in its own shares.[\[47\]](page/6/#ref-47 "note 47")[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Bank of Amsterdam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_Amsterdam) started operations in 1609, acting as a full-service bank for Dutch merchant bankers and as a reserve bank.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") From the 17th century onwards, Amsterdam also became involved in the [Atlantic slave trade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_slave_trade).[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") The city was a major destination port for Dutch [slave ships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave_ship) participating in the [triangular trade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangular_trade), which lasted until the [United Netherlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_Principality_of_the_United_Netherlands) abolished the Netherlands' involvement in the trade in 1814 at the request of the [British government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_the_United_Kingdom).[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Decline and modernization Amsterdam's prosperity declined during the 18th and early 19th centuries.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") The [wars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Dutch_Wars) of the [Dutch Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Republic) with [England](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_England) (latterly, [Great Britain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Great_Britain)) and France took their toll on the city.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") During the [French Revolutionary Wars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Revolutionary_Wars) and the [Napoleonic Wars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_Wars), Amsterdam's significance reached its lowest point, with Holland being absorbed into the [French Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_French_Empire).[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") However, the later establishment of the [United Kingdom of the Netherlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_of_the_Netherlands) in 1815 marked a turning point.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") The end of the 19th century is sometimes called Amsterdam's second Golden Age.[\[48\]](page/6/#ref-48 "note 48")[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") New museums, a railway station, and the [Concertgebouw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concertgebouw,_Amsterdam) were built; At the same time, the [Industrial Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Revolution) reached the city.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Amsterdam–Rhine Canal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam–Rhine_Canal) was dug to give Amsterdam a direct connection to the [Rhine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhine), and the [North Sea Canal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Sea_Canal) was dug to give the port a shorter connection to the [North Sea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Sea).[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") Both projects dramatically improved commerce with the rest of Europe and the world.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1906, [Joseph Conrad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Conrad) gave a brief description of Amsterdam as seen from the seaside, in The Mirror of the Sea.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") ### 20th century – present Shortly before the [First World War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World_War), the city started to expand again, and new suburbs were built.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") Even though the Netherlands remained neutral in this war, Amsterdam suffered a food shortage, and heating fuel became scarce.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") The shortages sparked riots in which several people were killed.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") These riots are known as the Aardappeloproer (Potato Rebellion).[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") People started looting stores and warehouses to get supplies, mainly food.[\[49\]](page/6/#ref-49 "note 49")[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Amsterdam/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Amsterdam/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Amsterdam/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Amsterdam/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Amsterdam/page/6/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Amsterdam/page/2/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)