LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Amsterdam: Spanish Netherlands
built 643 days ago
Bolland, who resides in Amsterdam, is responsible for the Heineken brand strategy and the company's overall marketing strategy. He ... has responsibility for Heineken's operations and business development in the U.S., France, Italy, Spain, the Caribbean and Latin America. Bolland holds a master's degree in business studies from Groningen University in The Netherlands, and holds additional management certifications from The London Business School and Insead. He is fluent in Dutch, English and German.
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A large influx of foreigners of many religions into 17th-century Amsterdam, in particular Sefardic Jews from Spain and Portugal, Huguenots from France, and Protestants from the Southern Netherlands, led to the establishment of many non-Dutch-speaking religious churches. In 1603 the first notification is made of Jewish religious service. In 1639 the first Jewish synagogue was consecrated[29].
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Amsterdam is known the world over for it's beer- after all, it's the home of the World-Famous Heineken Brewery. Want to try something new? Try a glass of Jenever, a type of gin that is native to the Netherlands.
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In 1578 the previously Roman Catholic city of Amsterdam joined the revolt against Spanish rule, late in comparison to other major northern Dutch cities. In line with Protestant procedure of that time, all churches were "reformed" to the Protestant worship. Calvinism became the dominant religion and although Catholicism was not forbidden and priests allowed to serve, the Catholic hierarchy was prohibited. This led to the establishment of schuilkerken, covert churches, behind seemingly ordinary canal side house fronts, one of them the current debate center de Rode Hoed.
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Amsterdam is ... famous for its lively red-light district de Wallen and its numerous coffee shops selling cannabis. Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands. Prostitutes are considered bona fide entrepreneurs; they pay taxes and are treated like any other self-employed tradesperson. Cannabis, on the other hand, is not legal; rather it is 'gedoogd' (tolerated), meaning the sale (5 grams maximum per client) and possession of small quantities (30 grams) are allowed.
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Visitors are attracted to Amsterdam for its reputation as a liberal city; its relaxed charm emphasised by elegant, narrow fronted merchant's houses and enchanting canals; and the reputation of its museums. The major museums are the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum, the Rembrandt House Museum, and the Van Gogh Museum, which houses the largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings in the world. The Anne Frank House, a museum dedicated to the story of Anne Frank, is ... a popular tourist attraction. The liberal nature of Amsterdam is not only physically embodied in the layout of the city such as, the de Wallen area which contains the red-light district, and many coffeeshops which sell cannabis but it is also embodied in the well-rounded, prevailing attitudes of its residents, government and businesses. Amsterdam's red-light district is located in the centre of the city and is clearly marked on maps. Window prostitution in the Netherlands is legal at specific places.
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Spanish Netherlands