Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is in the province of North Holland, colloquially referred to as the "Venice of the North" due to its large number of canals which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Amsterdam's name derives from Amstelredamme. indicative of the city's origin around a dam in the river Amstel. Originating as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world in the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century and became the leading centre for finance and trade. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded, and many new neighbourhoods and suburbs were planned and built. 

As the commercial capital of the Netherlands and one of the top financial centres in 

The Amsterdam Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in the world. Amsterdam's main attractions include its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and much more. They draw more than 5 million international visitors annually. The city is also well known for its nightlife and festival activity. It is also one of the world's most multicultural cities, with at least 177 nationalities represented. (wikipedia.org) (The source of the image is Rentola)