"Netherlands" Netherlands by traveldave

Netherlands Travel Guide: 31,727 reviews and 86,282 photos

The Netherlands has always had close ties to the sea. The Dutch were confined to a small country, so they had to look to the outside world for commerce and trade. Since early times, the Dutch were master seafarers and used their skills to develop trade with countries in Western Europe. They were so skilled at trade and shipping that by 1600, Amsterdam was the world's most important port, with more than 1,000 ocean-going vessels. In 1602, the Dutch East India Company was founded in Amsterdam, and its interests in the Spice Islands--today's Indonesia--made the company and the country rich.

However, the Netherlands' relationship with the sea has not always been beneficial. The Netherlands sits on low, swampy land, much of which sits below sea level. (Netherlands actually means "low lands"). These low lands were subject to periodic flooding. Therefore, the Dutch came up with an ingenious system of dikes and dams to keep the sea from innundating the land. Much of the present land area of the Netherlands was reclaimed from the sea, and is used for farming and other purposes. Amsterdam itself is below sea level and is protected by a system of dikes and dams.

Last visit to Netherlands: Jun 1982
Intro Updated Jun 22, 2012
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Reviews (8)

Amsterdam Favorites (1)

The city that was to become Amsterdam started out as a fishing village founded in the 1200s at the mouth of the Amstel... more travel advice

Muiden Castle Off The Beaten Path (3)

Muiden is a small town east of Amsterdam that is located at the mouth of the Vecht River. Its biggest attraction is... more travel advice

Volendam Off The Beaten Path (3)

Volendam is a small village of 22,000 inhabitants located about 12 miles (18 kilometers) northeast of Amsterdam. It used... more travel advice

Volendam Harbor Off The Beaten Path (3)

Since its founding, the fishing industry has been an important part of the life and economy of Volendam. Volendam Harbor... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport

Things to Do (3)
See All The Sint Nicolaaskerk

Travelogues (1)

Written Sep 16, 2012

1 photo

Map of the Netherlands

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Comments (51)

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Nemorino Sep 1, 2010 at 12:35 PM

Great idea to take a cruise on that slow wooden boat to Volendam!
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Kuznetsov_Sergey Dec 29, 2007 at 9:49 AM

Thanks Dave for bringing back sweet memories about this magnificient country which I happened to visit twelve years ago... It's time to come back!
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Jerelis Aug 22, 2007 at 8:12 AM

It's always fun to read what others think of my home country. :) Thanx for sharing, well done!
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matcrazy1 Mar 12, 2007 at 11:50 PM

Interesting Off The Beaten Path tips!
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LoriPori Oct 3, 2006 at 3:49 AM

Hans and I love Amsterdam. Such a wonderful city. What a great idea to go on an old wooden boat cruise from Amsterdam to Volendam. Will have to look into that the next time we go to Holland.
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deecat May 24, 2006 at 5:52 PM

Loved all the information about the Netherlands. Since I have not been, it was fascinating to me. You have excellent photos, Dave.
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mary2u99 Apr 18, 2006 at 11:57 PM

Wonderful pictures and page on Amsterdam -Canals.
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Paul2001 Mar 20, 2005 at 5:49 PM

I couldn't get enough of Amsterdam. Great page as usual Dave.
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Pawtuxet Feb 11, 2005 at 5:33 AM

I quite agree about a canal cruise. We loved it. How about the boat people who live there tax free? Laundry on the roof of the boat and cats wandering all around?
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vdoortje Oct 23, 2004 at 10:02 AM

Great info on Amsterdam!! But mind you that the canals were originaly digged as a defence system. As a moat outside the city walls. With the extension of the city more and more girds of canals excisted. Good for transportation!