Clouds, Amsterdam, The Netherlands by Maarten Kost

About "Clouds, Amsterdam, The Netherlands"

by Maarten Kost

About the artwork

Clouds, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is the (titular) capital and by population the largest municipality in the Netherlands. The city, also called Mokum in Amsterdam (originating from Yiddish), is located in the province of Noord-Holland, on the IJ, the North Sea Canal and the mouth of the Amstel. The municipality of Amsterdam has 862,965 inhabitants (1 January 2019, CBS). Greater Amsterdam had 1,344,659 inhabitants at the end of 2016. The number of different nationalities in the municipality is among the highest in the world.

Amsterdam owes its name to its location on a dam in the Amstel, which was built in the 13th century. Shortly after 1300, the town was granted city rights, became a place of pilgrimage in 1345 by the Miracle of Amsterdam and grew into one of the most important port and trading cities in the world in the Golden Age. An influx of foreigners from mainly the Southern Netherlands, Germany and the Scandinavian countries led to city expansions from the end of the 16th century, including the last canals of the fortification that is now known as a canal belt and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010.

Sights and attractions in Amsterdam are the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Maritime Museum, the Anne Frank House, the Concertgebouw, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ and EYE Film Museum, Artis Zoo, the Red Light District and the coffee shops. The city has two universities and several colleges.