Interesting facts about Amsterdam: Home to around 80 thousand people, the mesmerizing city of Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. Amsterdam holds the reputation of being the hub of politics, culture, and art.
Whenever anyone thinks about Amsterdam the only thing that pops into mind is coffee shops and canals but surprisingly, there is so much more to this vibrant city. If you are an international student based out of Amsterdam, this blog will intrigue you a little more, as we have covered some interesting facts about Amsterdam in the sections below.
This Blog Includes:
- 1. Amsterdam is Built on 11 Million Wooden Poles
- 2. There are 2500 Boathouses in Amsterdam
- 3. Amsterdam is the Only Place in the World that has a Floating Flower Market
- 4. There are 4 Times More Bicycles than Cars in Amsterdam
- 5. Amsterdam has the Highest Museum Density in the World
- 6. Heineken was Founded in Amsterdam
- FAQs on Interesting Facts About Amsterdam
1. Amsterdam is Built on 11 Million Wooden Poles
Amsterdam is situated below sea level which means the ground is quite wet. Since this city is built on clay soil, it can shift about as it is very soft. Without the poles supporting the city, there can be great damage to buildings in Amsterdam. Interestingly, the canal-front houses look a little tilted and are nicknamed dancing houses. You will be surprised to know that the Royal Palace at Dam Square is built on 13,659 poles while The Central Railway Station is built on 8687 poles. Old houses in the city centre are still around and are usually supported by 10 poles but today most of the homes are built on concrete poles.
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2. There are 2500 Boathouses in Amsterdam
Due to the waterways in Amsterdam, many people choose to live in boathouses there. There are around 2500 boathouses in the city, some city of which are 100 years old. Boathouses work as a great solution for the housing crisis in Amsterdam and also act as a great tourist attraction. There is also a houseboat museum which is worth visiting. Boathouses are not just for humans as they also act as animal shelter homes for example, there is a catboat where cats are being taken care of. You will be surprised to know that it is the world’s only floating animal rescue centre.
3. Amsterdam is the Only Place in the World that has a Floating Flower Market
The city of Amsterdam has made the most of its waterways as there are many boats there that serve various purposes. In addition to floating homes and animal refuge centres, there is even a floating flower market which is the only of its kind in the entire world. This market was founded when traders used to transport their goods via barge, which is now secured on fixed barges. The floating flower market is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Amsterdam and is well known for its vibrancy. Be it rainy or sunny, the flower market is open from Monday to Saturday.
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4. There are 4 Times More Bicycles than Cars in Amsterdam
Unlike many other big cities, owning a car is not that popular in Amsterdam due to the fact that there are more canals than roads there. Interestingly, there are 4 times more bikes than cars as riding a bike and navigating the city is much easier than commuting by car. According to statistics, there are around 881,000 bikes in Amsterdam. Every year around 12,000 to 15,000 bikes are fished out of the canals. Bikes getting stuck in the canals has now become a huge problem due to which ‘bike fisherman’ is actually a job now in Amsterdam.
5. Amsterdam has the Highest Museum Density in the World
There are around 90 museums in Amsterdam which is why it has the highest museum density than any other city in the world. Some of the popular museums in Amsterdam are the Van Gogh Museum, The Rijksmuseum of Art and Artefacts, etc. There are many quirky museums as well in Amsterdam which include the Moco Museum of Subversive Art, The Cat Cabinet, etc.
6. Heineken was Founded in Amsterdam
Heineken is a popular beer all over the world now but you will be amazed to know that it was originally founded in Amsterdam by The Haystack Brewery. Gerard Adriaan Heineken was the first person who brewed Heineken lager in 1873. Its popularity can be gauged by the fact that In 2011, around 2.7 billion litres of Heineken lager was brewed.
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FAQs on Interesting Facts About Amsterdam
Amsterdam is quite popular for its historical attractions and collection of some great artwork.
Mentioned below are some of the fun facts about Amsterdam:
-This city has more canals than Venice.
-There are more bicycles than people in Amsterdam.
-You can only buy/smoke cannabis in coffee shops.
-Tobacco is not allowed in cafes and restaurants.
Amsterdam is famous for the following food items – Bitterballen, Kibelling, Gerookte Paling (Smoked Eel), Pannenkoeken (Dutch Pancakes), etc.
Amsterdam is called Sin City as it has a place called Red Light District which is famous all around the globe for its prostitutional activities.
Due to inflation prices in Amsterdam have surged a lot in recent years which makes this city quite expensive.
We hope you liked this blog where we covered interesting facts about Amsterdam. For booking the best accommodation abroad to start your study abroad experience you can contact Fly Homes at 1800572118.
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