"Gulliver in the land of Lilliput " a Amsterdam Travel Page by traveloturc

Amsterdam is one of the greatest small cities in the world and it is one of the most important commercial centers in Europe. The city is a major port linked to the North and south America , North Sea ,other European countries by a network of railways and canals.Amsterdam is a city of tolerance and diversity.
Amsterdam has been an important center of European cultural life since the 17th century and of course this city is the birth place of my idol which is Rembrant.

Amsterdam was founded as a fishing village in the 13th century.(In Dutch: Amstelredam "Dam in the Amstel", turned into Amsterdam in the course of time).In the 16th century the Dutch rebelled against Philip II of Spain and his successors. The revolt escalated into the Eighty Years' War which ultimately led to Dutch independence.The 17th century is considered Amsterdam's "Golden Age". In the early 17th century Amsterdam became one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Amsterdam's stock exchange was the first to trade continuously.The end of the 19th century is sometimes called Amsterdam's second Golden Age. During World War I, the Netherlands remained neutral. Germany invaded the Netherlands in 10 May 1940.The entire country was liberated in May 1945.

The diamond trade was introduced to Amsterdam in the 16th century, this city developed into one of the world's most important diamond centers.