Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital and largest city in the Netherlands. Located in the west of the country in the province of North Holland, Amsterdam municipality is home to 755.269 inhabitants comprised of over 170 different nationalities.

The seat of the government is actually The Hague and Amsterdam is often mistaken for the capital of Holland. The Netherlands are one of the few countries where the seat of the government is not located at the official capital.

Amsterdam is one of the biggest Renaissance city centres in Europe. Several of the historic monuments date back to the “Golden Age” of the 16th and 17th centuries. These impressive buildings flank a system of semi-circular canals that connect the old port to the Zuiderzee bay. Today the open sea is separated from the city by the IJsselmeer lake. Amsterdam is renowned for its love of art and its world famous museums include the State Museum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rembrandt House Museum.

Traditional cuisine is based on single dishes served in large portions, typically comprising of meat and vegetables (particularly potatoes). A traditional Dutch food is raw herring, which in Amsterdam is served chopped with minced onions and pickles.