Ferries to Amsterdam
Amsterdam Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. The name comes from "Amstel dam", and the city is often referred to as the "Venice of the North" because of its many canals. History Amsterdam developed round a dam in the Amstel River at the end of the 12th century, but the period 1585-1672, the Golden Age, was the heyday of the city’s commercial success. At the time Amsterdam was the staple market of the world, and during this period the characteristic Amsterdam cityscape developed. Some of the most important historic buildings date back to this period, such as the town hall (now the Royal Palace) and a large number of canal houses. In 1672 the French and English attacked simultaneously and the Golden Age ended, but Amsterdam remained a major market and managed to retain its position at the financial centre of Europe. In 1795 the French revolutionary armies occupied Holland, and Amsterdam suffered badly from economic recession. The 19th century saw economic recovery and expansion. The Industrial Revolution triggered off a new Golden Age and large, poorly built working-class neighbourhoods developed on the outskirts. 1920-1940 was a time of economic recession, but in recent decades Amsterdam has rejuvenated as a tourist hot-spot. What To See & Do in Amsterdam
