Map of Amsterdam, 17th century. This city is the capital of the Netherlands and a major port at the mouth of the Amstel River. The 17th century was the Golden Age of Amsterdam, when it was among the wealthiest cities in the world. The city coat-of-arms is at upper left. This map is from 'Toonneel der steden van de Vereenighde Nederlanden' (1652), an atlas of maps of the cities and towns of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, published by Dutch cartographer Joan Blau (1596-1673).