In 1850, 30% of the population in Amsterdam lived off begging.
The water in the Amsterdam canals is so clean that Artis Zoo gives its elephants pure drinking water straight from the 3.
Amsterdam canals.
Dancing was forbidden in Amsterdam in the beginning of the 20th century.
In Amsterdam, people on low income can take their pet to the vet for free once a year.
Amsterdam is the capital of The Netherlands, but the government of The Netherlands is not seated in Amsterdam, but in The
Hague.
All over Amsterdam there are hidden water taps under the ground. They were installed in fear of a big disaster so we would
always have drinking water.
Bees in distress in the world? Not in Amsterdam. Since 2000 there 45% more bee species in Amsterdam. Amsterdam has
worked hard to abolish harmful pesticides and set up special flower gardens inside the city.
The Royal Palace on Dam Square is the only royal palace in Amsterdam. However, it was never built as a palace. Until
Napoleon’s brother Louis declared himself King of Holland (1806-1810), the building had been Amsterdam’s grand city hall.
Visitors to Amsterdam in the 17th century were surprised about the prostitution being shown so openly in Amsterdam. Also,
women walked the streets unaccompanied by men, a sight that was nowhere else seen.
During the Dutch-Spanish 80 year-war, while other Dutch cities tried to fight off the Spanish King with his inquisition, the
Amsterdam kept building ships for the Spanish, that were consequently sunk by the Dutch rebels.
