The Amsterdam canal system is the result of conscious city planning.
In the early 17th century, when immigration was at a peak, a plan was developed that was based on four concentric half-circles of canals known as the Grachtengordel - three of the canals were mostly for residential development: the Herengracht (Canal of the lords), Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal), and Prinsengracht (Prince's Canal).
The fourth and outermost canal is the Singelgracht,- a collective name for all canals in the outer ring.
View the decorated and colourful houseboats, the narrow houses along the canals and the bridges.
![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HXnzkXqKqCs/maxresdefault.jpg)