What is the largest city in the Netherlands?

The largest city in the Netherlands is Amsterdam. It is also the country's constitutional capital, although the Dutch government, parliament, Supreme Court, and royal court are based in The Hague.

Amsterdam stands in the province of North Holland, near the mouth of the Amstel River. Its name refers to a dam built across that river: Amstel plus dam became Amsterdam. The settlement grew into a major trading center during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, when its canals, merchants, and shipping networks connected Europe with Asia and the Americas.

The city is famous for its concentric canal belt, a planned expansion constructed largely in the 17th century. The canal district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amsterdam is also home to major cultural institutions such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House.

A frequent confusion is The Hague, because it is the seat of government. Rotterdam is another common alternative because it is a major port and metropolitan center, but Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest city by population.