I amsterdam - Canals

The famous canal rings in the shape of a crescent - comprising of Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht - were constructed in the 17th century, when they were used to transport products from all corners of the world to the warehouses. However, the oldest canals where originally intended to protect the city against unwanted visitors. The rapid population growth ensured that this line of defense had to be repeatedly moved.  While the bulwarks were reconstructed further up, the canals remained in use by the shipping traders and merchants.

Nowadays, international shipping unloads its cargo elsewhere in the harbour, but Amsterdam's canals are still intensively navigated by over seventy tour boats. About 2.4 million passengers take trips in them every year to discover the countless canals. A diligent Amsterdammer once counted the canals and totalled 160, a combined length of 75.5 kilometres, a total area of 171 hectares and a volume of 2 million cubic metres.