Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/471499
60 The Netherlands Houseboats bobbing merrily in tree-lined canals. Narrow streets that provide a counterpart to nearly 19,885 miles of biking trails, punctuated by the bells of passing cyclists. Fields awash in stripes of every color as tulips turn their faces to the breeze of 1,180 picturesque windmills and a shining sun. All of these images are redolent of only one place: the Netherlands, one of the richest, most internationally connected, and utterly charming countries in the world. The capital, Amsterdam, is without a doubt the most well-known of this small nation. The density of its riches is simply astounding— fitting for a place nicknamed the "City of Diamonds" for the Gassan Diamonds factory. Its 17 th -century canal district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the Anne Frank House is an international cultural treasure. There are more museums per mile than almost anywhere in the world, including one celebrating the Netherlands' native son, Vincent van Gogh, and several which feature the Dutch master Rembrandt's works. Dam Square, once the scene for the city's central marketplace, is awash in patriotic orange for Queen's Day once a year, but colorful with the plumage of shoppers the rest of the year. The 9 Straatjes district nearby and the two-story Magna Plaza in a UNESCO monument building attract even more browsers, while curious tourists flock to the famous—and infamous—Red Light District for its novelty. Far more innocent is the floating flower market in the Singel Canal. As for crafts, wooden shoes, and hand- painted authentic Delft porcelain from the only earthenware factory from the 1600s to remain today, are quintessential gifts that can only be found in the Netherlands. THE NETHERLANDS Het Ij Dijksgracht Oosterdok Nieuwevaart Oude Schans Entrepot Dok Amstel Binnen Amstel Singelgracht Keizersgracht Prinsengracht Herengracht Singel Leidsegracht Bloemgracht Lauriergracht Gelderskade Kloveniersburgwal Prinsengracht Singelgracht Lijnbaansgracht Keizersgracht Herengracht Ooster Park Artis Frederiks Plein Wetering Plantsden Sarphati Park Vondel Park 0 1/4 miles 0 1/4 km Alexander Plein Munt Plein Konings- Plein Nieuwe Markt Mr Visser Plein Rembandts- Plein Weesper- Plein Oude Kerkspl. Stations Plein Heren Markt Piet Heinkade Kattenburgerstr. Prins Hendrikkade Ij Tunnel Valkenburger- str. Hoogtekadijk Plantage Doklaan Plantage Middenlaan Sarphatistr. Plantage Muidergracht Weesperstr. Ruyschstr. Gravesandestr. Rhijnspoorplein Wibautstr. Eerste Oosterparkstr. Amsteldijk Stadhouderskade Ceintu- urbaan Paulus Potterstr. Overtoom Frans van Miereisstr. De Lairesse- str. Van Baerlestr. Marnixstr. 1e Constantijn Huygensstr. Lindengracht Westerstr. Rozengracht Marnixstr. Weteringschans Vijzel- str. Utrechtstr. Kerkstr. Leidsestr. Nieuwe Westerdokskade De Ruijterkade Pri ns Hendrikk. Spuistr. N e u w zijds Voo r b u r gwal Rokin Damrak Damstr. M a u ri ts k a d e N ass a u k a d e Heineken Beer Museum Stadhuis Muziektheater Netherlands Maritime Museum Royal Palace Amsterdam Historical Museum Rijksmuseum Van Gogh Museum Municipal Museum