Amsterdam: History

(Earth -> Europe -> Netherlands -> Western Provinces (Randstad) -> Amsterdam )

Introduction

Amsterdam, the 'Venice of the North', and indeed, the inner city is a miracle of architecture of the 17th century and listed on the Unesco list of World Heritage. And it is not a museum, but still alive, well and changing all the time. And there is so much more: museums, worldclass performances and a multi cultural and liberate atmosphere. Amsterdam is used to receive tourists from all over the world and welcomes them.

Amsterdam is also the capital of The Netherlands, a small country...

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Moving*

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Practical information*

Background information

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-> Background

Culture (Local habits)*

Media (Books, Films, Documentaries etc.)*

History and politics

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Gossip in Amsterdam

Does the Queen loves Amsterdam?

One major gossip in Amsterdam is about the question if Queen Beatrix likes the city or not. Her marriage in 1967 with the late Prince Claus took place in Amsterdam, and the trip from the townhall to the Westerkerk, with the bridal couple in the golden carriage, was disturbed by smoke bombs. Millions saw it happen live on tv.
The day she was inaugurated in 1980 in Amsterdam there were big riots taking place at the same time only a few streets...

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Government Last Elections in Amsterdam

The Mayor of Amsterdam is Mr Job Cohen who is one of the senior members of the Labor Party (PvdA) in the Netherlands.

The city of Amsterdam is governed by the City Council and a college of Aldermen. The Council is the highest authority and is responsible for all important decisions. Amongst other things, the Council sets the city's annual budget.

Results of last local elections in Amsterdam for the college of Aldermen (March 2006):

PvdA (Labor Party): 20 seats

VVD (Liberal Party): 8

GroenLinks (Green Left): 7

CDA (Christian Democrats): 2

SP (Socialist Party): 6

D66 (Liberal Democrats): 2

Historic Facts in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is situated at the mouth and on the south side of the IJ, an inland arm of the former Zuiderzee, now IJsselmeer, and connected by canal with the North Sea. It is divided by the canalized Amstel River into two main sections.

The medieval town lies on either side of the Amstel at the city's centre, enclosed by the semicircular Singel (ditch or moat). Outside the Singel are the three main canals dating from the 17th century: the Herengracht (Heren Canal), Keizersgracht, and...

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