Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. It is the largest city in the country and its financial and cultural center. The city was founded in the 13th century as a small fishing village on the banks of Amstel River. It has one of the largest historic city centers in Europe. Right from the 14th century, the city began to flourish largely on the basis of trade with the cities of the Hanseatic League. By 17th century, it became one of the wealthiest cities in the world with a worldwide trading network. Later, Amsterdam became the most important point for the trans-shipment of goods in Europe and also the leading financial center of the world. A mayor, his aldermen and the municipal council govern the city.

Tourist Attractions: Museums and architectures are the historical places attracted by the tourists. Tourists from far and wide reach here to learn and know about the history of the city.

Transportation: Amsterdam is known for its well-planned transport arrangements. Many national and international train connections link the city with other countries as well as cities. The Amsterdam metro serves the city. Sixteen tram lines and an express tramline, 55 local and regional bus lines, several ferries including a Fast Flying Ferry are the other main methods of commutation in the city. The city is also known as one of the bicycle friendly cities in the world. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the biggest and the fourth largest airport in Europe helps people from other parts of the country to access the city.

Hotels: The city has numerous star hotels that are situated at the heart of the city.

Most of them are located close to the tourist attracted places as well as markets. The world-class hotels that serve as host to the majority of the tourists visiting the city are Jolly Hotel Carlton, NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, Okura Amsterdam, Golden Tulip Amsterdam - Centre, Victoria Hotel Amsterdam and Radisson SAS Hotel Amsterdam.

Places of Attraction: Amsterdam is well known for many outstanding museums such as Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum, Rembrandt House Museum, and its world-class symphony orchestra, the Concertgebouworkest, The Van Gogh Museum that houses the largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings in the world. The city has multitude of wonderful attractions. Artis Zoo -one of the city's top attractions that houses over 6,000 animals, dozens of canals in the city like Amsterdam Canals, Prinsengracht (Prince's Canal) and Herengracht (Gentlemen's Canal) are the three concentric ring canals that delights the tourists who can take a boat ride through this. Concertgebouw-the most famous concert hall in The Netherlands, Muziektheater - that features opera and ballet, Hortus Botanicus - the Botanical Gardens that provides a green and peaceful atmosphere and Holland Casino Amsterdam - one of the Europe's largest casinos lure the tourists to the city. The Diamond Industry located in the city gave it the name 'city of jewels'.

COUNTRY	Netherlands
LOCATION	Situated on the banks of the IJ bay and the Amstel River.
GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES	Latitude 52&dge;22' N, Longitude 4&dge;54' E
AREA	219 square km
POPULATION	742,884 (Jan 2006)