Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands.
Founded in the late 12th century as a small fishing village on the banks of the Amstel, it is now the largest city in the country and its financial and cultural center.
Amsterdam has one of the largest historic city centers in Europe, dating largely from the 17th century.
The old city was built up around a series of concentric, semi-circular canals, which still define its layout and appearance today.
Many fine houses and mansions are situated along the canals; most are lived in, others are now offices, and some are public buildings.
The city is noted many outstanding museums, including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum,
geditgedit Rembrandt House Museum, the Anne Frank House, and its world-class symphony orchestra, the Concertgebouworkest, whose home base is the Concertgebouw.
It also enjoys a certain notoriety for its red-light district, de Wallen, and its numerous "coffee shops" selling cannabis.
*Canals of the Jordaan neighborhood