The city of Amsterdam derives its name from the labors of the original settlers who located their fishing village here towards the end of the thirteenth century. These fisher-folk built a dyke or dam which blocked the flow of the Amstel River on whose banks the city was to develop. The name Amstelledamme, dam on the Amstel, first appears on documents dated to the Middle Ages. This structure was a protection against the tides and frequent flooding of the river. Dam Square, in the heart of the city, occupies the site of this early settlement.

Because of its geographical position the settlement became a flourishing trade port. By the beginning of the seventeenth century its maritime commerce had reached a zenith with the founding of the East and West India Companies. This launched the city on its voyage into the Golden Age of the Netherlands. It was in this period of mastery of the waterways that the three great concentric canals were constructed and bordered by long rows of narrow houses built by the city's richest and most aristocratic merchants. Tea, tobacco, cocoa, spices, and diamonds were amongst the list of exotic commodities traded.

The city is famous for it's extensive canal system. In total, there are over one hundred of them with a total length of some sixty-five miles. In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, owing to the large number of houses that had been destroyed, many families set up homes on these canals. Today gaily painted barges are keenly sought after as accommodation and flank the canals.

With an impressive array of historic buildings, canals, bridges, bright yellow street trams and literally millions of bicycles, Amsterdam remains one of the most attractive and charming of Europe's cities