{"title":"CANALS \u2014 By Marcus Brown & Aristide Benoist","view":"

A glimpse into the creation &
history of the canals of Amsterdam.<\/p>

BY MARCUS BROWN  &  ARISTIDE BENOIST<\/div><\/div>
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CANA<\/span> ALS<\/span><\/h1><\/header>
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Overview<\/h2>

The 17th-century Amsterdam canals are a world renowned location of cultural and historical significance with a rich history spanning 400 years of development, expansion, innovation and engineering. The city\u2019s canal ring and its design is an early example of large-scale, coordinated urban planning and forward thinking.<\/p>

BELOW<\/div>
\u2018Amsterdam, Netherlands\u2019<\/span> \u2014 Eirik Skarstein (2018)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\"Canals
BELOW<\/div>
\u2018The Amsterdam City Flag\u2019<\/span> \u2014 It depicts three Saint Andrew\u2019s crosses<\/div><\/div>
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NOORD<\/span> HOLLAND<\/span><\/h2>

The city of Amsterdam is located in Noord-Holland, the northwestern province of the Netherlands. It's the capital city and has a population of around 850,000 in the main city area and more than 2 million in the wider metropolitan area, being the largest and most lived-in city in the country. With its famous canal belt and very well preserved 17th century architecture, the city thrives on tourism bringing in many millions of visitors each year. The summer months from June to August see the biggest influx of visitors who can experience the best of the canals by boat, through a time of late sunsets and lively city atmosphere. As well as its global visitors, it\u2019s one of the world's most multicultural cities with over 170 nationalities.<\/p>

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\u2018Lone boatsman\u2019<\/span> \u2014 Robin Benzrihem (2018)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\u2018Amsterdam, Netherlands\u2019<\/span> \u2014 Tory Doughty (2018)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\"Amsterdam's
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Amsterdam has a vast array of water canals over 100km in length, around 60 miles. These 165 canals divide the city into a series of small islands connected by over 1200 bridges, with the oldest completed in 1648; the Torensluis. The majority of canals can be accessed by private boats, group tours, or rental boats with many moored on the canal edges next to houseboats. The city\u2019s bridges were built to withstand horse and cart weight of the time, which have since been affected by the trucks and small amount of cars that pass through the canal ring. Complex maintenance work is underway to strengthen certain canal walls and bridges throughout the city.<\/p>

BELOW<\/div>
\u2018Het Kolkje en de Oudezijds Achterburgwal in Amsterdam\u2019<\/div>
George Hendrik Breitner (1894 - 1898)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Four hundred years have gone in to the creation of the canal ring, known as the Grachtengordel. This term often refers to the grandest four canals; the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht and the Singel which encompass the older city around Dam Square. Although Amsterdam is older than 400 years, it has gone through a number of key expansions which lead to the design of the Grachtengordel, most notably the Third Expansion starting in 1613 and later the Fourth Expansion. From the early 1600s, the size of the city vastly expanded outwards with residential housing and warehouses. This long time period, combined with the swampy ground and piles the city sits upon gives Amsterdam its characteristic lopsided charm.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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IMAGE<\/div>
\u2018No gaps\u2019<\/span> \u2014 Ian Valerio (2018)<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Since 2010, Amsterdam\u2019s ring of canals were awarded the status of a UNESCO World Heritage site. A recognition for its unique urban development, innovative engineering and incredible water management, it joins famous sites like the Historic Center of Rome. Due to the efforts of the city and private owners, this area and the initial city plan remains very well preserved to this day.<\/p>

BELOW<\/div>
\u2018Noordermarkt met de Noorderkerk\u2019<\/div>
Reinier Nooms (1657 - 1670)<\/div><\/div>

UNES<\/h2>\"Buildings<\/div><\/div>
\"Buildings
IMAGE<\/div>
\u2018House of Amsterdam\u2019<\/span> \u2014 Brunel Johnson (2018)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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CANALS<\/div>
CANALS<\/div><\/a>
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