25 Insane Facts About Amsterdam

INSANE FACTS about 25 Ameterdam AAF Majority of Amsterdam's land area is below sea level 11,000,000 wooden stilts support the city upon loose, muddy foundations. Its lowest point is 6.7 metres Amsterdam below sea level. was originally a fishing village. A typical house is supported by 10 poles, while the Central Station is supported by 9,000 poles. 165 Total number of canals in Amsterdam. That's more canals than there are in Venice. There are more bikes than people in Amsterdam. All of Amsterdam's bike paths combine to a total length of 400 km. Se 881,000 Locals ride bikes 811,100 English is the city's 2nd official language on all occasions - Almost everyone can speak and understand English in Amsterdam. going to work, going to the beach, taking the kids to school, moving house, rain or shine, even going to a wedding! Out of the 25,000 bikes that end up in Amsterdam's canals each year. only 8,000 are recovered. Amsterdam's Amsterdam locals like to keep their curtains open all the time --even if they're doing really private stuff inside the house. most stolen item: Locals also like to eat dinner on the streets or on their doorsteps on warm summer evenings. Around 100,000 bikes get stolen per year Houses in Amsterdam are famously narrow because they used to be taxed on the width of their front. 1,281 bridges Total number of existing bridges in Amsterdam 2,500 20,000,000 tourists visit Amsterdam annually. houseboats That's about 20 times as many locals! Number of boats converted into permanent residences in Amsterdam's canals Amsterdam is more culturally diverse than any other city in the world. "De Poezenboot" is a houseboat turned cat shelter housing 50 cats. It's a major city attraction. People from 178 different nationalities are permanent residents of the city. The world's oldest stock exchange is in Amsterdam. Don't confuse Contrary to popular belief, London's stock exchange (established in 1801) is "Coffeeshop" with "cafe" 75 Total number of not the oldest stock market. Amsterdam's was established in 1602. Coffeeshops are licensed sellers of cannabis products while cafes serve coffee museums in the city Some are dedicated to chess, bags and purses, hemp, funerals, Heineken, the history of sex, and houseboats. and light meals. The Red Light District is one of the safest parts of the city. XXX does not mean 'porn' In Amsterdam, anyone can It's Amsterdam's coat of arms symbolizing the avail free STD treatment from crosses of St. Andrew special public health clinics. Inspired by a thread on Quora: "What are the things the outside world would be shocked or surprised to learn about Amsterdam?" Additional information: http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/experience/about-amsterdam/facts-and-figures http://travelingliz.com/2011/12/4-quirky-amsterdam-facts.html http://www.limitlesstravel24.com/10-interesting-facts-about-amsterdam http://blonde-gypsy.com/2012/12/14/top-10-weird-facts-about-amsterdam HEN TH Some illustrations by Lotta Nieminen and Saskia Rasink FOR MORE COOL TRAVEL STUFF, VISIT WHENONEARTH.NET