Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands. Founded in the late 12th century as a small fishing village on the banks of the Amstel, it is now the largest city in the country and its financial and cultural centre. As of 2005, the population of the city proper is 742,209; the population of the greater Amsterdam area is approximately one and a half million. There is sometimes confusion about the country and its capital. Amsterdam is in the region of North Holland; Holland is no longer a country in its own right. Gravenhaag (The Hague, also known as Den Haag), also in the region of North Holland and technically that region's capital, is the main seat of the Royal Family and sometimes contended to be the national capital. As an aside, The Hague is also home to the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal.
Amsterdam has one of the largest historic city centres in Europe, dating largely from the 17th century, the Golden Age of the Netherlands, a huge trading empire of which it was the focal point. At this time, a series of concentric, semi-circular canals was built around the older city centre, which still define its layout and appearance today. Many fine houses and mansions are situated along the canals; most are lived in, others are now offices, and some are public buildings.
Groups of Joinees have been on several trips to Amsterdam, including Joint Me. On one trip Silver Joinee Bonathan was chased by a tramp. On another, later trip, Silver Joinee Snoring Jesus was unable to find his friends for three days. These occurances are not out-of-the-ordinary for Amsterdam!
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Photos of these trips need to be added here.