Amsterdam
The administrative capital of Holland is The Hague, but is actually very Dutch, and their state constitution is Amsterdam, the most important city in the country. Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands, located in the western part of the country in the province of North Holland. Amsterdam is located in the northern zone of the sixth largest metropolitan area in Europe - Randstad, which has a total population of about 6.7 million people. In the town live 1.5 million people.
All of Amsterdam is built "on water". Amsterdam has a composition that includes 90 islands and 165 running channels. The whole city is accessed by crossing bridges which are about 1, 281 in total.
The initial rise of the buildings in the wetlands have been built using wooden props that resemble the engineering plan of Venice. The city comes from the original settlement, Amstellerdam, which originated from the 13th Century around the river Amstel. In translation, Amstellerdam literally means, Amstel dam.
Starting as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, thanks to the development of trade during the Dutch Golden Age, Amsterdam turned into one of the largest ports in the world. The city is a leading center in finance and marketing, and processing of diamonds. In the 19th and 20th century, Amsterdam grew and formed many new neighborhoods and suburbs. Few medieval buildings have managed to survive until today. Early 17th century houses in Amsterdam are built narrow and not particularly high, which was to save on taxes, which municipal taxation for the largest buildings.
Among them is the magnificent old church, Aude Kerk. On both sides are tight small houses and the church has a beautiful octagonal tower with a bell. Among other ancient buildings that have been preserved are the new church - Nieuwe Kerk and the wooden house, Huis Howth.
Architectural masterpieces of the period remaining from the Golden Age (1585-1672 year) are the classic royal palace of Dampleyn, and Vesterkerk Zyuderkerk. The channel itself is home to many very old buildings like the Dolfijn, Gekroonde Raep, Hoofden and Popenhaus. Much of the remaining old buildings in Amsterdam date from the 18th century.
Among the most famous museums in the city are those where you can see the Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk museum.
Amsterdam is a worldwide capital with regard to liberalism to some prohibited things. One can not miss the neighborhoods with red lanterns in Amsterdam. There is even a monument to the prostitute. The evening glows the purple and red lights, visible from the windows are half-naked silhouettes of priestesses of love offering absolutely everything regarding all sexual pleasures. On this street in Amsterdam nothing is forbidden, provided you can pay for them.
Amsterdam is famous for its night life. It mostly boasts of many busy restaurants of the city, bars, clubs, cafes, but few cinemas and theaters.
Of course, there are many famous places, where you can eat happy cakes. One can also take a pleasant walk in the narrow streets filled with cafes, galleries and shops that queue along the channel. Be sure to indulge in the pleasant atmosphere in one of the typical Dutch pubs in Amsterdam, which performs traditional Dutch live music.
