Amsterdam, Netherlands - Definition by WordIQ

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. It is located in the province of North Holland. Its geographical coordinates are: longitude 04 51 59.00 E and lattitude 52 20 59.01 N. To date the municipality of Amsterdam has 738,763 residents (7 September 2004) and over 170 nationalities live in the city. The population of the greater Amsterdam area is ca. 1,450,000.

Flag of Amsterdam. The official city motto is Valor, Resolution, and Mercy. The St Andrew's crosses are taken to represent these (though the crosses are even older than the motto).
A popular tradition links the X's to the three threats to the city: Water, Fire and Pestilence.

Introduction

The Netherlands is one of the few countries where the seat of government is not the capital. Because the government of the Netherlands is seated in The Hague, it is commonly assumed that The Hague is the Dutch capital. However the formal capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam.

The city is administrated by the mayor and central city council (gemeenteraad) and by the dagelijks bestuur in each of the 15 boroughs (stadsdelen). The boroughs have their own councils (stadsdeelraad). Local decisions are made at borough level and only affairs pertaining the whole city (like major infrastructural projects), are delegated to the central city council. The 15 boroughs are: Amsterdam-Centrum, Amsterdam-Noord, Amsterdam Oud Zuid, De Baarsjes, Bos en Lommer, Geuzenveld / Slotermeer, Oost / Watergraafsmeer, Osdorp, Oud-West, Slotervaart, Westerpark, Zeeburg, Zuideramstel and Amsterdam Zuidoost (including Bijlmer; see also Bijlmerramp).

Amsterdam has one of the largest renaissance city centers in Europe. Many buildings date from the 16th and 17th century (known as Hollands Golden Age) and are now considered monuments. The historical buildings are to be found along Amsterdams famous canals. The city has many outstanding museums, including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rembrandt House Museum, the Anne Frank house and a world-class symphony orchestra, called the Concertgebouworkest, which plays in the Concertgebouw. Amsterdam does not have many memorials, but among its most noticeable is the worlds first Gay Monument, commemorating the hardships gays have suffered throughout history.

Amsterdam is also famous for its lively red-light district de Wallen and its numerous coffee shops selling cannabis. Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands. Prostitutes are considered bona fide entrepreneurs; they pay taxes and are treated like any other self-employed tradesperson. Cannabis, on the other hand, is not legal; rather it is 'gedoogd' (tolerated), meaning the sale (5 grams maximum per client) and possession of small quantities (30 grams) are allowed.

History

Amsterdam was founded as a fishing village in the thirteenth century. A dam was built across the river Amstel which gave the city its original name Amstelredam: dam across the river Amstel. The early "Amsterdammers" had a talent for business and from the fourteenth century onwards trade with the Hanseatic cities flourished. On 27 october 1275 Amestelledamme (sic) was given freedom of tolls. Amsterdam gained city rights in 1300 or 1301, granted by Guy van Henegouwen, the Bishop of Utrecht. This was however nothing more than a confirmation of earlier rights given to the city by one of the Lords of Aemstel.

In the 16th century the Dutch rebelled against Philip II of Spain. The uprising was mainly caused by the lack of political power for the local nobility and by the religious intolerance of the Spanish. Although Amsterdam began the war on the Spanish side, it changed sides in 1578 and gave its support to William I of Orange. The rebellion led to the Eighty Years' War and Dutch independence.

One of the results of the war was that Spanish religious intolerance gave way to Dutch tolerance. In Amsterdam people were free to believe what they wanted (within certain limits). In the city remained a large Roman Catholic minority (and Roman Catholicism is still one of the major religions in Amsterdam), but the majority of the people belonged to the Reformed Church and other Protestant denominations.

In these years religious wars raged throughout Europe and many people fled to the Dutch Republic and Amsterdam, where they sought refuge. Wealthy Jews from Spain and Portugal, prosperous merchants from Antwerp and the Huguenots from France, all sought safety in Amsterdam.

The Seventeenth century was Amsterdam's Golden Age. Ships from the city sailed to North America, Indonesia, Brazil and Africa and formed the basis of a worldwide trading network. Amsterdam's merchants financed expeditions to the four corners of the world and they acquired the overseas posessions which formed the seeds of the later Dutch colonies. Rembrandt painted in this century and the city expanded mightily around its canals during this time. Amsterdam was the most important point for the transshipment of goods in Europe and it was the leading financial centre of the world (A position later taken over by London).

The 18th and the beginning of the 19th century saw a decline in Amsterdam's prosperity. The wars of the Dutch Republic with the United Kingdom and France took their toll on Amsterdam. During the Napoleonic wars Amsterdam's fortunes reached their lowest point, however, with the establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815, things slowly began to improve. In Amsterdam new developments were started by people like Sarphati who found their inspiration in Paris.

At the end of the 19th century the Industrial Revolution reached Amsterdam. The Amsterdam-Rijn kanaal was dug to give Amsterdam a direct connection to the Rhine and the Noordzee kanaal to give the port a connection with the North Sea. Both projects improved communication with the rest of Europe and the world dramatically. They gave the economy a big boost.

The end of the 19th century is sometimes called Amsterdam's second Golden Age. New museums, the Centraal Station and the Concertgebouw were built. Also built was the Stelling van Amsterdam, a unique ring of 42 forts and land that could be inundated to defend the city against an attack. Amsterdam's population grew significantly during this period.

During World War I, the Netherlands remained neutral, but Amsterdam suffered the effects of the war when food became scarce. When working class women started to plunder a ship with army supplies, the military was brought in. Workers joined their wives in the plundering and the soldiers opened fire on them. Six people were killed and almost 100 were wounded.

In 1932 a dike separating the Zuider Zee from the North Sea, the Afsluitdijk, was completed. The Zuider Zee was no more. The new lake behind the dike was called IJsselmeer (meer = lake). For the first time in its history Amsterdam had no open communication with the sea.

During World War II, German troops occupied the city. More than 100,000 Jews were deported, almost completely wiping out the Jewish community. Anne Frank was one of them. Before the war, Amsterdam was the world's center for the diamond trade. Since this trade was mostly in the hands of Jewish businessmen and craftsmen, the diamond trade essentially disappeared.

The cultural revolution of the 1960s and 1970s made Amsterdam the magisch centrum (magical centre) of Europe. The use of soft drugs was tolerated and this policy made the city a popular destination for hippies. Squatting became widespread. Riots and clashes with the police were frequent.

Amsterdam started the Eighties in an explosive manner. In 1980, while Queen Beatrix was inaugurated in the New Church on Dam square, protesters outside the church fought with the police in protest against government policies. Their slogan was 'Geen woning, geen kroning' (No house, no coronation). The mayor and city council eventually had to bring in the military to get the situation under control. During this decade the number of foreign immigrants, primarily from Suriname, Turkey and Morocco grew strongly. This led to an exodus of people to the 'growth cities' of Purmerend, Almere and other cities near Amsterdam. However, neighbourhoods like the Pijp and the Jordaan, which had previously been working class, became sought places of residence for the newly wealthy Yuppies and students.

Amsterdam saw a major administrative change in the 1980s as the city was divided into (eventual) 15 boroughs. The boroughs are responsible for many activities that previously had been run by the central city. The idea was to bring the government closer to the people.

The 1990s were an economic boom time for Amsterdam. The old historical centre was almost completely restored and many infrastructure projects were completed. In 1995, the national government proposed the creation of a 'city province', consisting of Amsterdam and neighbouring towns. This was rejected by the people in a referendum. The opposition was not so much against creating the city province, but against the splitting of the city in parts. Opposers feared this would destroy the city's cohesion. After the referendum the city province proposal was shelved. Nevertheless, since 1995, city parts have gradually become more autonomous, and neighbouring towns have been drawn into the city, politically and economically. In a sense, the city province has arrived in the form of 'Greater Amsterdam'.

The beginnning of the new millennium brought economic hardships to Amsterdam. Unemployment grew strongly. The foreign immigrants who had come to the city two decades before brought their own problems, culminating in the killing of Dutch film-maker Theo van Gogh. However, Amsterdam has shown resilience before in the 800 years of its history and there is little doubt the city will remain a wonderful place to live and visit.

Cultural life

History

In the 15th and 16th century cultural life in Amsterdam consisted mainly of festivals. During the later part of the 16th century Amsterdams Rederijkerskamer (Chamber of Rhetoric) organized contests between different Chambers in the reading of poetry and drama. In 1638 Amsterdam got it's first theatre. Ballet performances were given in this theatre as early as 1642. In the 18th century French theatre became popular. Opera could be seen in Amsterdam from 1677, first only Italian and French operas, but in the 18th century German operas. In the 19th century popular culture was centered around the Nes area in Amsterdam (mainly vaudeville and musichall). At the end of this century the Rijksmuseum en Gemeentelijk Museum were build. In 1888 the Concertgebouworkest was established. With the 20th century came cinema, radio and television. Though the studios are in Hilversum and Aalsmeer, Amsterdams influence on programming is very strong. After WWII popular culture became the dominant culteral phenomenum in Amsterdam.

Performing arts buildings

The Concertgebouw (Concert Hall), is the home of the Concertgebouworkest. The Muziektheater build in 1986 houses the De Nederlandse Opera and the Dutch National Ballet. Other performing arts venues include the Sweelinck Conservatory of Music, the Theatre Group Amsterdam, the National Dance Theatre and the IJsbreker. The Carré theatre is home to musicalls and circuses.

Museums

In addition to the previously mentioned museums, Amsterdam is home of the Stedelijk Museum (20th century art), the Amsterdam Historical Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Nautical Museum, Madame Tussaud's, and many others. In all Amsterdam has over a 100 museums. Most recently, a branch of Russia's famous Hermitage Museum has found its home in the former Amstelhof.

Academia

Founded in the early 1600s, Amsterdam's Hortus Botanicus is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, with many old and rare specimens. Amsterdam's International Institute of Social History is one of the world's largest documentary and research institutions concerning social history, and especially the history of the labor movement.

Zoo

Amsterdam's zoo is called Artis, a contraction of the Latin motto of the Zoo, "Natura Artis Magistra", meaning "Nature is the mother (or teacher) of art".

Popular culture

Located near the Leidseplein are the clubs Paradiso (housed in an old church) and the Melkweg. Both offer pop music and dancing almost every night of the week.

Sports

In 1928, Amsterdam hosted the Games of the IX Olympiad. The Olympic stadium was completely restored in 1999/2000. It is now used for cultural and sporting events.

The city has an NFL Europe team, the Amsterdam Admirals, who are notable for being the only team in the league not to have won a World Bowl championship. It also has a top field hockey team, Hockey Club Amsterdam. Its top basketball team are the Amsterdam Astronauts.

Education

The educational system in Amsterdam is the same as education in the rest of the Netherlands.

Amsterdam has excellent primary schools. Some of these schools base their teachings on particular pedagogic theories like the various Montessori schools. Many however are based on religion. This used to be primarily Roman Catholicism and various Protestant denominations, but with the influx of Muslim immigrants there is a rise in the number of Muslim schools. In addition to these schools based on distinct beliefs there are public schools.

The same goes for secondary education. Amsterdam is noted for having 3 independent gymnasia, the Vossius, Barlaeus and St. Ignatius. These are prep schools for the nation's universities. The schools are highly selective, and only open for the brightest children in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam has two universities: the University of Amsterdam (Universiteit van Amsterdam), and the Vrije Universiteit (the Protestant Free University). There are many other institutions for higher education, including an academy of modern art, De Rietveldacademie, the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, the Hogeschool voor Economische Studies Amsterdam and the Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten which includes the Sweelinck Conservatorium.

Transportation

Public transport

The Gemeentelijk Vervoer Bedrijf is the public company that is responsible for all public transport in Amsterdam. There used to be two companies: one responsible for the ferries across the IJ and the other for the trams, but in 1943 the two companies were combined.

A new metro line, the North/South Line, and a new tramline [1] (http://www.verkeer-en-vervoer.amsterdam.nl/ijtram/afb/ijtram/tracvoor/011.gif) are under construction.

Many people in Amsterdam use a bicycle to get around. Most streets have bike paths and bike racks are ubiquitous throughout the city. In the city center, driving a car is complicated by constant traffic jams and limited and expensive parking space.

Though not that commonly used anymore, canals running through the center of the city can still be considered important transportation routes.

Roads

Amsterdam is a major transportation hub. Highways from all parts of the Netherlands lead to it. The Ring highway encircles the city.

Airport

Schiphol is the biggest airport in the Netherlands, and the fourth largest in Europe. It handles about 40 million passengers and is homebase to KLM. It's economically vital to Amsterdam and the Netherlands.

Amsterdam tourist information

Crime and deviance

Amsterdam is a favourite tourist destination and, as a consequence, attracts pickpockets and other petty thieves. Pickpockets 'work' the train from Schiphol International Airport to the city, used by tourists entering and leaving the city. ATMs are also a preferred location to spot victims because they are likely to have cash. The city also attracts its share of junkies and the homeless, many of whom are psychiatric cases. They congregate mostly in the red-light district De Wallen.

In 1995 a study showed there were about 24,000 illegal firearms in the Amsterdam-Amstelland region. A recent development are East-European gangs posing as police officers, asking for cash payment of a certain fine, or claiming they must inspect one's wallet to see if he or she has fake banknotes in them. They target mostly East Asian tourists because experience has shown those victims are more likely to respect the authority of a 'police officer'.

The municipality of Amsterdam currently operates a program to make the red light district safer by buying former crackhouses and other properties used for criminal activity and turning them into legitimate businesses. This has greatly improved the public's (feeling of) safety over the last few years.

Food

Any cuisine of the world can be found in Amsterdam. Close to the Centraal Station is the Zeedijk, packed with restaurants from every corner of the Orient. Turkish kebabs and Arabic shwarma restaurants are everywhere. Amsterdam has excellent Dutch style pancake restaurants. In addition, typical Dutch food like raw herring can be bought in stalls. Note that the fish is cleaned (compared with sushi). The way Amsterdammers eat herring differs from the way it's eaten in the rest of the Netherlands. In Amsterdam the fish is cut into pieces and served with onions and pickles. Anywhere else it's eaten by holding it by the tail over the mouth and letting it slide down the throat.

Nightlife

Amsterdam has a very active nightlife with lots of clubs, bars and coffeeshops. Some say Amsterdam has been surpassed as the 'hippest' city by Rotterdam but it still has its own unique charm. Amsterdam is famous for its coffeeshops which legally sell cannabis and "smartshops" which sell other soft drugs of varying legality.

Periodic events

Slogan

The promotional slogan Amsterdam chose in 2004 is: I AMsterdam. The old slogan was Amsterdam heeft het (Amsterdam has it).

External links

Amsterdam = 4 - MapQuest map of Amsterdam (http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?city=Amsterdam&country=nl)

North Holland

Flag_North-Holland,_Netherlands.png
Flag of the province of North Holland

Netherlands | Provinces | Municipalities

edit this template (http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Template:Province_North_Holland_p)

Amsterdam, Netherlands - Definition and Overview

Introduction

History

Cultural life

History

Performing arts buildings

Museums

Academia

Zoo

Popular culture

Sports

Education

Transportation

Public transport

Roads

Airport

Amsterdam tourist information

Crime and deviance

Food

Nightlife

Periodic events

Slogan

External links