Part of what makes Amsterdam, and the Netherlands as a whole so unique is that much of the country lies below sea level. This means that it is very easy for areas to flood which would destroy homes, fields and overall, make it impossible to live there. Thus, people in the Netherlands use these waterways to control where the water goes in order to prevent flooding from destroying everything.
This environment has now been altered with the canals, aqueducts and bridges, changing the way in which the city operates. This environment in Amsterdam is particularly special because the canals allow for water travel as an additional means for transportation.
The Netherlands being largely below sea level is not all bad, however. The waterways that have been built have allowed for trade to be easily accessible in the country. Its proximity to the English Channel has also helped throughout history in making the Netherlands a powerful trade partner.
