The History of The Netherlands

The United East India Company or the United East Indian Company, also known as the United East Indies Company ( Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie ; or Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie in modern spelling; VOC), referred to by the British   as the Dutch East India Company, or the Dutch East Indies Company. It  was established as a chartered company in 1602, when the Dutch government granted it a 21-year monopoly on the Dutch spice trade. A pioneering early model of the multinational.  In the early 1600s, the VOC became the first company in history to issue bonds and shares of sock   to the general public. In other words, the VOC was the world's first formally listed public company, namely, it was the first corporation to be ever actually listed on an official (formal) stock exchange. In the early modern period...

The Netherlands was a very attractive country to conquer and posses, namely, it was small with an access to the North Sea. Throughout the years Holland was occupied by the Celts and the Frisians both nations came under the Roman rule from the 1 st BC until the 4 th AD. Eventually they all fought with the Germanic tribes and Francs over the supremacy. It was established in 5 th and 8 th century. The Middle Ages made Holland divided into principalities. The northern part (The Dutch) belonged to the Habsburg Empire. In the XVI century it revolted against the Spaniards and their attempts to ease the Protestant faith, numerous battles and skirmishes won them independence. The wars which prolonged till XVII century gave an onset of a new system – a protestant Republic. The southern part was absorbed by the Spanish Habsburgs. The year 1713 was crucial – it was re-acclaimed by the Austrian Habsburgs. Against all odds the wars did not wakened the country, in contrary, it beca...

First thing one will see entering and leaving the central station of Amsterdam, are the bikes. The impression is immerse. For many unforgettable. The dutch cycle at any time of the day and night. Some bicycles have trailers attached for easy transport. Most of the bikes are black without frills or gears. Being in Amsterdam and not to cycle is impossible, so everyone wants to join joyful and exuberant brigade of cyclists. Cycling – a relaxing past-time has recently become life-threatening, the traffic congestion is huge, the number of cyclists grew up within the years. As the Dutch used to say „they were born on bicycle”. The bikes became a principal means of transport there are over 600,000 bikes in the city itself. The flat terrain, no mountains makes cycling a real pleasure. A pleasure became an aspect, however, an environmental issue is taken very seriously. The Dutch take care of the environment, cycling undoubtedly helps to so and maintain healthy and ...

There are many cities where gay community feels free and accepted, there is, however, Amsterdam which guaranteed their freedom to be, to live, to cherish and love. Do not trust appearances, it was no always like that, the tolerance, liberty, equality and liberal approach came gradually. This city affords a freedom and encourages gay community to go on with its legalization. There are more than 35 gay bars, more than 15 gay-friendly hotels, discos … and much more. The most places are located by Rembrandtplein, around Amstel River , Warmoestraat, Reguliersdwarsstraat. Most shops are gay-friendly. They gay community was no the largely exposed, before. The 1960s/1970s were particularly difficult and tough. Gay community didn’t enjoy freedom as it does today. Their sexual identity was forbidden, it was also forbidden to place wreath for homosexual victims at the war memorial on the Dam during the Remembrance Day.   During the war they were very much prejudiced, the Nazi...

The city would't exist without the canals, the canals shaped it and made it to be prosperous and so beautiful. The canals were treated as a tool which established the trade and determined how the whole city worked and prospered. Unbelievable but true, the canals are this city, it stands for the heritage the whole Europe admires nowadays. The most prominent canal lies at Herengracht it is 3.5 km long. This and other canals were precious for ships which moored directly in front of the merchant's houses. It must have looked magnificent.  The nowadays Jordaan area looked as we do realize completely different, it is without a question the most desirable part of the city. Its development is dated back to 1612 where the district began its modern era. It provided accommodation to local artisans and small factories. All around the area small regular buildings plots emerged, fine houses, as well. The town plan is outstanding, it includes 90 islands linked by 500 bridges. ...

The XVII century is marked everywhere as the Age of prosperity and prominence, alike was in the Netherlands , Amsterdam was thriving, it became a glorious and a very rich city. Every aspect mattered. Its bigger rival – London didn’t outshine it. The impact of the oversea journeys was tremendous, Spain made almost total hegemony over the seas, the competition was fierce and bitter. Amsterdam got access to unknown and undiscovered territories, in 1595 the Dutch ships touched the coast of United East India Company. In 1602 the government established a monopoly law for all the goods of the Cape of Good Hope . In 1609 the bank of Amsterdam has been established. Shortly after it became a financial center of Europe . The Dutch empire grew in power, the lands were vast and included Sri Lanka , Tasmania , Bali, Timor, Java, Sumatra, Borneo , New Guinea and South Africa . As the trade expanded so did the colonies: Tobago, Cayenne , Bonaire, Curacao, St Martin, the D...