The population of Amsterdam grew to 200,000 at the end of the seventeenth century and, together with London, Paris and Naples, it was one of the largest cities in Europe. The concentric ring of canals (Grachtengordel) with beautiful merchant houses, interiors, inner gardens and trees on the quays owe their existence to these times. Architectura & Natura sells books on all these aspects of urban development including more recent architectonic highlights as the Amsterdam School and books on contemporary architecture.