1270

Early settlement, located in the present red light district (see map) named "Amsterdam" for the dam on the Amstel River.

1585

Antwerp, a port city in neighboring Belgium is taken by the Spanish and cut off from the sea. As a result, many of the inhabitants who made their living from the sea trade relocate to Amsterdam, the nearest port city. Between 1570 and 1640, Amsterdam's population grew from 30,000 to 139,000, necessitating expansion.

1612

Construction on the canal ring, consisting of the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht, the Prinsengracht, and the smaller bisecting canals, began in order to accommodate the growing population. Upper class residences and merchant houses were located on the three semi-circular canals, with middle-class residences on the bisecting canals. The Jordaan area was built up shortly after the canal ring as a working-class area.

1839

The first rail line out of Amsterdam, to Haarlem, was built.

1876

The Noordzeekanal was built to connect the Ij inlet to the North Sea, making Amsterdam's port more accessible to ships in the Atlantic.

1889

Centraal Station was built on a man-made island on the northern end of Amsterdam, helping to secure Amsterdam's role as a transportation crossroads.

Late 1800s

In this era of industrialization, Amsterdam continued to expand. Residential neighborhoods were developed around the canal ring. Working class housing was concentrated in the East and West (see Oost and Westerpark on the above map) and the upper class settled in the areas surrounding urban parks, especially in the South.

1920s

Housing developments expanded south of the Ceintuurbaan (the road bisecting De Pijp, marked in white on the above map), 75% of which were built as working class housing.

post-WWII

Expansion continued, extending into Amsterdam Noord, which is separated from the rest of Amsterdam by the Ij inlet. Southeastern parts of the metro area were developed for business.

1970s - present

A phase of urban renewal brought many changes to Amsterdam: Public transit was improved, and the first subway lines were constructed. New developments, such as the reclaiming of land in the Ij for housing, were undertaken.