FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2023-174 DAILY FEATURE:

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (October 27, 2023) – Today’s edition of Fun with Maps takes us on a scenic tour along the Amstel River.

CANALS AND MUSEUMS

Today is the traditional date for the founding of the city of Amsterdam in 1275.

The small fishing village, founded at the dam of the Amstel River, quickly grew during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century.

The Dutch led the trade with faraway lands in those days, mostly in Southeast Asia, bringing goods to Europe like exotic spices, plants, bulbs, gems, and the like.

The trade led to lots of money floating around and traders plus shipping companies looking for capital for more ships, ports to be built, etc. This in turn led to the formation of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange which is the oldest modern format securities stock exchange in the world.

Amsterdam is also the home to world class art museums – Van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum and more.

Amsterdam’s canal system served as defensive, transportation, and water management systems starting with the Dutch Golden Age.  Now largely serves to carry boats full of tourists and to house some residents on small canal boats.

And then there are the bikes – a practical alternative in the parking space poor city.  Plus, they are cheaper than cars.  There are more bikes than people living in the city. 

This view of Amsterdam shows the canals and ships.  It is by Guicciardini from 1581.   

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.