Amsterdam (pron. /ˈamsterdam/[1]; in Dutch: /ˌɑmstər'dɑm/, pronunciation [?·info]; in archaic Italian Amsterdamo[2]) is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. The municipality of Amsterdam has 854,047 residents (as of 2018) of over 170 nationalities, while the population residing in the metropolitan area is approximately 2,289,770 people. The area included in the 17th century canal belt within the Singelgracht is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (see Amsterdam Canals).
The city has one of the largest Renaissance centers in all of Europe. Numerous buildings dating back to the period between the 16th and 17th centuries, also known as the "Golden Age", are now considered historical monuments and are located around a series of concentric polygonal canals. These surround the old port, which once overlooked the Zuiderzee, today a lake separated from the rest of the sea and known as the IJsselmeer. The city is home to the Rijksmuseum (state museum), the Van Gogh museum, the Concertgebouw, the Rembrandthuis, the Anne Frank House and a huge number of bicycles.
It is also famous for its red light district, De Wallen, and its numerous coffee shops authorized to sell marijuana and cannabis derivatives.
The city's official motto is "Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig" ("valiant, determined, merciful"). The three St. Andrew's crosses on the flag are associated with these three words, although they came into use before the motto.