Amsterdam (help·info) (IPA: [É‘mstÉ™rˈdÉ‘m]) is the capital of the Netherlands. Its name is derived from "Amstel dam",Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, Vol 1, p896-898. pointing to the city's origin: a dam on the river Amstel. The city is known for its historic port, the Rijksmuseum, its red-light district (de Wallen), its liberal coffeeshops, and its many canals which have led to Amsterdam being called the "Venice of the North".Amsterdamhotspots.nl. Retrieved on 2007-04-19.Amsterdam Tourist Information - Seven Bridges Festival. Retrieved on 2007-04-19. During the Dutch Golden Age, Amsterdam was one of the most important ports in the world, with innovative developments in trade, and became the leading centre for finance and diamonds.[1] Capitals of Capital -A History of International Financial Centres - 1780–2005, Youssef Cassis, ISBN-13: 9780521845359History of the Amsterdam Diamond Market

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