Amsterdam, the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, has a population of over 933,000 within the city proper, and around 2.5 million in the metropolitan area as of June 2024. Situated in North Holland, the city is famous for its extensive canal system, earning it the nickname "Venice of the North." The canals are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting their historical and cultural significance.
In 1900, Christians formed the largest religious group in Amsterdam (70% of the population), with the Dutch Reformed Church accounting for 45% and the Catholic Church 25% of the city population.
In 1906, Joseph Conrad gave a brief description of Amsterdam as seen from the seaside, in The Mirror of the Sea.
In 1916, a flood occurred in Durgerdam, Holysloot, Zunderdorp and Schellingwoude, municipalities lying north of Amsterdam.
In 1920, Amsterdam assisted in hosting some of the sailing events for the Summer Olympics held in neighbouring Antwerp, Belgium by hosting events at Buiten IJ.
On January 1, 1921, after a flood in 1916, the depleted municipalities of Durgerdam, Holysloot, Zunderdorp and Schellingwoude, all lying north of Amsterdam, were annexed to the city at their own request.
In 1924, the Catholic Church hosted the International Eucharistic Congress in Amsterdam, drawing numerous Catholic prelates to the city for festivities in churches and stadiums, though Catholic processions on public streets remained forbidden by law.
In 1928, Amsterdam hosted the Summer Olympics. The Olympic Stadium built for the occasion has been completely restored and is now used for cultural and sporting events, such as the Amsterdam Marathon.
In 1932, Amsterdam was intended to be the hub of the highway system of the Netherlands, with freeways numbered One to Eight planned to originate from the city.
On May 10, 1940, Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands and took control of the country. Some Amsterdam citizens sheltered Jews, risking imprisonment or concentration camps. Over 100,000 Dutch Jews were deported and murdered in Nazi concentration camps.
On 22 February 1941, in response to the death of a collaborator, 427 Amsterdam Jews were arrested and sent to Mauthausen concentration camp; only two survived.
On 26 May 1943, one of the two main waves of arrest, culminating in deportation, occurred in Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter.
On 20 June 1943, one of the two main waves of arrest, culminating in deportation, occurred in Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter.
In August 1944, Anne Frank and her family's safe hiding place was betrayed and discovered. After a spell at the 'holding camp' in Westerbork Anna and her family were sent to Auschwitz, where her mother was murdered.
On 5 May 1945, Amsterdam was liberated by Canadian forces, shortly before the end of the war in Europe. The city was in crisis with broken communication, scarce food and fuel, and citizens foraging in the countryside.
In early 1945, Anne Frank and her sister Margot died amidst appalling and inhumane conditions in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
In 1947, Queen Wilhelmina bestowed the city's official motto: Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig (Heroic, Determined, Merciful), in recognition of the city's bravery during the Second World War.
In 1949, the song "Aan de Amsterdamse grachten" ("On the canals of Amsterdam") was released and performed by many artists, including John Kraaijkamp Sr.
Amsterdam made a bid to host the 1952 Summer Olympics but lost to Helsinki.
In 1959, Amsterdam's population hit an all-time high of 872,000.
In 1962, Wim Sonneveld released his version of "Aan de Amsterdamse grachten" ("On the canals of Amsterdam"), which became the best-known version.
In 1964, Jacques Brel released the song "Amsterdam".
Between 1968 and 1974, Road A8, leading north to Zaandam and the A10 Ringroad were opened.
Between 1970 and 1980, Amsterdam experienced a sharp population decline.
In 1970, the A3 freeway to Rotterdam was cancelled to conserve the Groene Hart.
In 1973, Amsterdam experienced a sharp population decline, peaking at a net loss of 25,000 people.
Between 1968 and 1974, Road A8, leading north to Zaandam and the A10 Ringroad were opened.
After the independence of Suriname in 1975, a large wave of Surinamese settled in Amsterdam, mostly in the Bijlmer area.
In 1977, a metro started operating between the new suburb of Bijlmermeer in the city's Zuidoost (southeast) exclave and the centre of Amsterdam.
Between 1970 and 1980, Amsterdam experienced a sharp population decline.
Since 1981, the municipality of Amsterdam has gradually been divided into semi-autonomous boroughs, called stadsdelen or 'districts'.
Since the 1983 constitutional revision, the constitution mentions "Amsterdam" and "capital" in chapter 2, article 32.
By 1985, Amsterdam had only 675,570 residents.
In 1986, the Dutch National Opera and Ballet (formerly known as Het Muziektheater) was established as the principal opera house and home to Dutch National Opera and Dutch National Ballet.
In 1986, the Stopera, a huge modern complex combining the city hall and opera house, opened in the former Jewish neighbourhood at Waterlooplein next to the river Amstel.
Amsterdam hosted the World Gymnaestrada in 1991.
Amsterdam made a bid to host the 1992 Summer Olympics but lost to Barcelona.
In 1993, the English-spoken comedy scene was established with the founding of Boom Chicago, which has its own theatre at Leidseplein.
In 1996, AFC Ajax moved to their current location in the Johan Cruyff Arena, located in the south-east of the city next to the new Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA railway station.
From 1998 Femke Halsema was member of House of Representatives for GroenLinks.
In 1999, a new building, known as the performance wing, designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, was added to the Van Gogh Museum.
In 1999, the current appearance of the Museumplein was realised when the square was remodelled.
Since 1999, the city of Amsterdam has honored the best sportsmen and women at the Amsterdam Sports Awards. Boxer Raymond Joval and field hockey midfielder Carole Thate were the first to receive the awards in 1999.
Around 2000 BC, shards of Bell Beaker culture pottery were found in the prehistoric Amstel bedding under Amsterdam's Damrak and Rokin. The location of these artifacts around the river banks of the Amstel probably points to the presence of a modest semi-permanent or seasonal settlement.
In 2000, Christians formed the largest religious group in Amsterdam, accounting for 28% of the population, followed by Islam at 8%, with most followers being Sunni.
In 2003, Construction of a new metro line connecting the part of the city north of the IJ to its southern part was started.
In 2003, the Rijksmuseum underwent a 10-year, 375 million euro renovation.
In 2006, approximately one-fifth of Amsterdam's population was of non-Western origin, and over 30% of the city's children shared this background. A slight majority of Amsterdam's residents had at least one parent born outside the Netherlands, while intercultural marriages were common. Only a third of residents under 15 were autochthons, meaning they had two parents of Dutch origin.
The year 2006 was designated "Rembrandt 400" in Amsterdam, to celebrate the 400th birthday of Rembrandt van Rijn.
According to the 2007 European Cities Monitor (ECM), Amsterdam was ranked as one of the top European cities, specifically fifth, in which to locate an international business.
By 2008, the cost of the new metro line project had exceeded its budget by a factor of three, due to various issues.
In 2008, plans were made to remodel the Museumplein again because many inhabitants of Amsterdam are not happy with its current appearance.
In 2008, there were 140 festivals and events in Amsterdam. During the same year, Amsterdam was designated as the World Book Capital for one year by UNESCO.
In 2009, the new hall of the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, Toneelgroep Amsterdam, and Melkweg opened. Also in 2009, the renovation of the front end of the theatre was completed.
In May 2010, under a major reform, the number of Amsterdam boroughs was reduced to eight.
In July 2010, the Grachtengordel (the three concentric canals: Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht) was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Eberhard van der Laan (Labour Party) was the Mayor of Amsterdam from 2010 until his death in October 2017.
In 2010, the borough system was restructured, in which many smaller boroughs merged into larger boroughs.
In 2010, the number of Amsterdam boroughs reached fifteen.
In 2011, a poll by Amsterdam newspaper Het Parool that Trio Bier's "Oude Wolf" was voted "Amsterdams lijflied".
In 2011, approximately 83,000 bicycles were stolen in Amsterdam, highlighting the widespread issue of bicycle theft.
In 2011, the Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk were voted the best shopping street in the Netherlands. These streets offer a large diversity of privately owned shops.
Until 2011 Femke Halsema was member of House of Representatives for GroenLinks.
In September 2012, after renovations lasting several years, the Stedelijk Museum reopened with a new composite extension.
In 2012, 10 million tourists visits Amsterdam.
In 2012, Ziggo Dome, a state-of-the-art indoor music arena, was opened near Amsterdam Arena.
In 2012, the music video for "Live My Life" by Far East Movement was filmed in various locations throughout Amsterdam.
On April 13, 2013, the full collection of the Rijksmuseum was reopened to the public.
In 2013, Koninginnedag was renamed Koningsdag after the crowning of King Willem-Alexander. Koningsdag is held each year on 27 April and hundreds of thousands of people travel to Amsterdam to celebrate.
After the 2014 municipal council elections, a governing majority of D66, VVD and SP was formed – the first coalition without the Labour Party since World War II.
As of 2014, Schiphol was the fifth busiest airport in the world measured by international passenger numbers.
In 2014, a new theatre opened in Amsterdam. Theater Amsterdam is located in the west part of Amsterdam, on the Danzigerkade. Also in 2014 it is housed in a modern building with a panoramic view over the harbour. The theatre is the first-ever purpose-built venue to showcase a single play entitled ANNE, the play based on Anne Frank's life.
In 2014, the Port of Amsterdam had a cargo throughput of 97.4 million tons, consisting mostly of bulk cargo.
In 2014, under a reform of the Dutch Municipalities Act, the Amsterdam boroughs lost much of their autonomous status, as their district councils were abolished.
Since 2014, renewed focus has been given to urban regeneration and renewal, especially in areas directly bordering the city centre, such as Frederik Hendrikbuurt.
In 2015, 17 million tourists visits Amsterdam.
In 2015, Amsterdam's 442,693 households (850,000 residents) owned 847,000 bicycles, averaging 1.91 bicycles per household.
In 2015, Christians formed the largest religious group in Amsterdam, accounting for 28% of the population, followed by Islam at 7.1%, with most followers being Sunni.
In 2016, the Rijksmuseum had 2.2 million visitors.
On 18 September 2017, Kajsa Ollongren took up office as acting Mayor of Amsterdam due to Eberhard van der Laan's ill health.
Eberhard van der Laan was the Mayor of Amsterdam from 2010 until his death in October 2017.
On 26 October 2017, Eric van der Burg succeeded Kajsa Ollongren as acting Mayor of Amsterdam.
On 4 December 2017, Jozias van Aartsen succeeded Eric van der Burg as acting Mayor of Amsterdam.
In 2017, the Rijksmuseum had 2.16 million visitors.
In 2017, the room occupation rate in Amsterdam's hotels was 85%, up from 78% in 2006. The majority of tourists (74%) originated from Europe, with the largest group of non-European visitors coming from the United States (14%).
On 27 June 2018, Femke Halsema was appointed as the first woman to be Mayor of Amsterdam by the King's Commissioner of North Holland for a six-year term after being nominated by the Amsterdam municipal council.
On 12 July 2018, Femke Halsema began serving a six-year term as Mayor of Amsterdam.
In 2018, the Amsterdam Arena was renamed the Johan Cruyff Arena.
In 2018, the new metro line was completed.
In 2019, Amsterdam was ranked 4th place globally as a top tech hub.
In 2019, the local government started removing parking spaces in the city, with the goal of removing 10,000 spaces.
In 2019, the new lock in IJmuiden opened, allowing the Port of Amsterdam to grow to a capacity of 125 million tonnes.
On July 1, 2021, the mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, apologised for the city's involvement in the slave trade.
In 2021, the municipality of Amsterdam had a population of about 870,000. The larger conurbation had a population of over one million, and Greater Amsterdam had a population of 1,400,000.
In 2022, Amsterdam was ranked the ninth-best city to live in by the Economist Intelligence Unit. It was also ranked 12th in quality of living for environment and infrastructure by Mercer.
On May 25, 2023, in a bid to crackdown on wild tourist behaviour, Amsterdam banned weed smoking in public areas in and around the red light district.
Amsterdam will host the World Gymnaestrada again in 2023.
In 2023, autochthons were a minority in 40% of Amsterdam's neighborhoods, and segregation along ethnic lines was visible, with people of non-Western origin concentrating in specific areas.
In June 2024, the population of Amsterdam was 933,680 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the urban area, and 2,480,394 in the metropolitan area.
By 2025, the local government aims to have removed 10,000 parking spaces from the city.
The urban renewal and expansion of the traditional center of the city—with the construction of artificial islands of the new eastern IJburg neighborhood—is part of the Structural Vision Amsterdam 2040 initiative.
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