Amersfoort is located in the province of Utrecht in the Netherlands, bordering on the province of Gelderland.
Amersfoort takes its name from a ford (''voorde'') in the Eem river, which was once called the 'Emer' or 'Amer', at the edge of higher ground, the Utrecht ridge. The ford is on the shortest route across low marshy ground, from the ridge to the nearest higher ground on the east. As a result, Amersfoort was, and still is, on the main road from the western Netherlands to northern Germany,and the later Amsterdam - Berlin railway followed this route. The low-lying area between the Utrecht and Veluwe ridges is called the Valley of Gelderland, ''Gelderse Vallei'', and it is now a zone of intensive farming.
The first written record of the settlement was in 1028. In the 12th century the Bishopric of Utrecht fortified it (because of its strategic location), and in 1259 granted it city rights. The first city wall of stone was built in the late 13th century. Around 1380 a new wall was built: some of the city gates still survive. The city was a late mediaeval pilgrimage centre, and in 1444 began the construction of a cathedral. Most of it was destroyed in an explosion in 1787, but the tower survives, one of the highest in the country. Because of its visibility, it was was the starting point for the accurate triangulation of the country, and it is still the true origin of the Dutch national grid (coordinates 463.000, 155.000).
Amersfoort's mediaeval industries were cloth and beer: in the 18th century it prospered due to the locally-grown tobacco. The railway began the modern expansion. In recent years growth has accelerated, with suburban expansion mainly to the north.
You can cycle from Amsterdam to Amersfoort in about 4 hours. Utrecht to Amersfoort takes about 90 minutes. The long-distance cycle route LF9, from Breda in the south, to the German border at Nieuweschans, at passes through Amersfoort. (There is also a route variant which passes outside the city).
Amersfoort is served by regional bus lines, some with limited services. The main bus lines run every 30 minutes: line 80 from Wageningen, and three with parallel rail routes: the 70 from Hilversum, the 101 from Harderwijk and the 102 from Apeldoorn.
Amersfoort does have a city bus network, with 10 lines, but services are not as frequent as you would expect, in a city this size. The city centre is small enough to walk everywhere, the station is 10 minutes walk from the centre. Outside the centre, the best way to get around is to cycle. Car access to the city centre is restricted.
There are several '''signposted cycle routes''' around Amersfoort. Shorter circular routes are signposted in one direction, taking several hours: follow the route signs (usually hexagonal). The ''Eemland Route'' starts in Amersfoort. The ''Nieuwe Vuursche Route'' passes the western edge of the city. The much longer ''Eneco Veluwe Route'' passes the eastern edge, and the nearby village of Hoevelaken. The route is 265 km long, not counting three short-cuts and two diversions. The route website [http://www.enecoveluweroute.nl www.enecoveluweroute.nl], is in Dutch, but has an interactive map. Another long route, ''Rondje Utrecht'', a circle around the Province of Utrecht, passes the city centre.
The ''LF9'' is a long cross-country route, signposted in both directions. It starts in Breda, near the Belgian border, and follows approximately the 0 metre contour. In principle, everything west of this line would disappear under sea water, if there were no artificial barriers. It runs through Utrecht, and after Amersfoort follows the old coastline to Zwolle, and goes through Groningen to the German border (325 km).
However, you don't need to follow a route: most of the surrounding region is suitable for cycling. The most interesting routes are east and north-east to the Veluwe forests about 20 km away, east and south to the forest at the edge of the city, north along the river Eem and toward the former coastline, and south-east along the Gelderse Vallei toward Wageningen.
There is a signposted canoe route around Amersfoort, see map and photos at [http://home.planet.nl/~vortex1/nl-leusden.htm http://home.planet.nl/~vortex1/nl-leusden.htm]. Canoes can be rented at Kanocentrum boerderij Berg, Langesteeg 2a, 3831 RZ Leusden. Tel. 033-4945352.
There are plenty of bars around in the old City centre. The most important ''clusters'' of bars can be found on the two main squares (''Onze Lieve Vrouwenkerkhof'' and ''Hof''), Two of the better pubs there are ''Lobbes'' and ''Blauwe Engel'', The ''Boothill Saloon'' (in Krankeledenstraat, near Onze Lieve Vrouwenkerkhof), Irish Pub ''Long John'' (also Krankenledenstraat) and '''t Nonnetje'' (in Groenmarkt) are great places to go out.
Prices are, as in most Dutch pubs, somewhat high . In Long John a pint of Guinness might, for instance, set you back ? 4.50, although the other pubs are slightly cheaper.
The most useful routes are bus line 101 through several villages to the town of Harderwijk, line 80 to Rhenen and Wageningen and the 102 across the forested Veluwe to Apeldoorn. It connects with line 104, the only way to reach the smaller villages in the northern Veluwe.