"amsterdam" a Amsterdam Travel Page by doug48

amsterdam was founded as a fishing village at the mouth of the amstel river around 1200AD. in the 16th and 17th centuries amsterdam became one of the most important trading centers in northern europe. the dutch had colonies in indonesia, india, and parts of brazil. the dutch east india trading company was world famous and brought tremendous wealth to amsterdam. one of amsterdam's most famous explorers was pieter minuilt, who bought the island of manhatten in the new world. another dutchman who is famous in america was henry hudson who explored what is now called the hudson river in new york. because of this wealth in the 17th century amsterdam became famous for the dutch artists that lived in the city. amsterdam producted rembrant, van gogh, and many other dutch masters. the most tragic era in the history of amsterdam was the nazi occupation during WWII. the nazi's deported most of amsterdam's jewish population to concentration camps and many residents of amsterdam died of starvation in the winter of 1944-45. today because of amsterdam's tradition of religious and political tolerance it is a city of stark contrasts. on one hand you have the art, culture, and architecture of the golden age. on the other had you see the red light district, the marijuana shops and party areas like the rembrant plein. as a result amsterdam is one of the most unique and interesting cities to visit in europe.