Amsterdam

Amsterdam's origins are linked to the development of a dam on the Amstel River called Amestelle, meaning 'watery area'.

The All Saint's Flood of 1170 transformed the shallow river IJ into a wide estuary, making the Amstel more suitable for permanent habitation.

Amsterdam was the world's first stock exchange, established in 1602 by the Dutch East India Company.

In 1300, Amsterdam's population was around 1,000 people, but by 1600, it had grown to approximately 50,000.

Amsterdam is home to one of the widest varieties of nationalities of any city in the world, with 180 different nationalities represented.