Amsterdam is the capital and most populated city of the Netherlands. It has a population of 921,402 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the urban area and 2,480,394 in the metropolitan area. Located in the Dutch province of North Holland, Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the "Venice of the North", for its large number of canals, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Image: Keizersgracht Reguliersgracht Amsterdam
Image: Reguliersgracht, Amsterdam
Image: Concertgebouw 04
Image: South facade of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam (DSCF0528)
The Amstel is a river in the province of North Holland in the Netherlands. It flows from the Aarkanaal and Drecht in Nieuwveen northwards, passing Uithoorn, Amstelveen, and Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, to the IJ in Amsterdam, to which the river gives its name. Annually, the river is the location of the Liberation Day concert, Head of the River Amstel rowing match, and the Amsterdam Gay Pride boat parade.
The Amstel in city center of Amsterdam with the Stopera (center) and H'ART Museum (right)
Amstel near Nes aan de Amstel, between Uithoorn and Amstelveen
Amstel near the Rembrandt Tower in Amsterdam
17th-century drawing of the river Amstel by Rembrandt