TL;DR
Amsterdam's canals were originally built in the 17th century for defense and transport during a prosperous period. The canal system has expanded and now forms concentric rings that map out the city, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Varying depths accommodate historical needs, with some sections deepened for larger ships, averaging 3 to 5 meters.Origins of Amsterdam canals
- Date back to the 17th century
- Initially built for defense and transport purposes
- Construction influenced by Dutch Golden Age prosperity
Development of the canal system
- Gradual expansion with city growth
- Map out the concentric rings in Amsterdam
- UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010
Significance of canal depths
- Varying depths due to historical reasons
- Deepening to allow larger ships to pass
- Average depth ranges from 3 to 5 meters
