AMSTERDAM
AMSTERDAM
22
Amsterdam is one of the
safest cities in the world
and has a very low crime
rate compared to the rest
of Europe.
Amsterdam is sometimes
called ‘The Venice of the
North’ because of the
canals and waters that run
throughout. What most
people don’t know is that
the city actually has more
canals and bridges
than Venice.
Dutch people are the tallest
people in the world. The
average height is 184 cm
for men and 170cm for
women. Scientists believe
this is due to DNA, nutrition
and welfare. Others think
it’s a result of the amount of
dairy the country consumes.
With 487 inhabitants per
square kilometre, the
Netherlands has the highest
population density of any
European country.
More than a quarter of the
Netherlands is below sea
level. In addition to that,
50% of its land lies less
than one meter above
sea level.
The Netherlands is a
very flat country. The
Vaalserberg, which is the
country’s highest point, is
only 322.7m high.
CHARACTER OF AMSTERDAM
Tulips are so synonymous
with Holland that it’s
hard to believe the flower
isn’t indigenous to
the region.
About 30% of all Dutch
babies are born at home
and not in a hospital.
After Scandinavians, the
Dutch are the world’s
biggest coffee drinkers.
They are said to drink on
average 3.2 cups a day,
which is no less than 140
litres of coffee a year.
The city’s name comes from
‘Amstel Dam’, which is a
dam that was built on the
river Amstel.
CHARACTER OF AMSTERDAM