location

**__Location__**



Amsterdam is located in the Netherlands of North-West Europe. The absolute location is 52º 21' N, 04º 54' E. It first had started off as a medieval settlement on dikes holding the Amstel River and the IJ. The Amstel River was dammed in order to control flooding. Amsterdam was named after the Amstel dam. It lies in a flat, low area on the southern bank of the IJsselmer. The Amstel River flows from south to north through the city and into the IJ. Parts of the city are located under sea level, other parts of land were risen from sea, marshes, or lakes. Today, Amsterdam is the current Dutch capital of Netherlands.