From the Brouwersgracht, the canals are generally parallel with one another, leading gradually southeast into the Amstel river.

Until the end of the 16th century, the city of Amsterdam encompassed the area inside the Singel and what is now Kloveniersburgwal.

After the Peace of Westphalia, Amsterdam created new space for investment and new plans were developed to expand the city.

In July 2006, the city of Amsterdam announced its intention to nominate the canal ring as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

[2] Amsterdam's canal belt has been named a World Heritage Site under the criteria I, II, and IV;[3] “to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius;” “to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design;” and “to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history,” respectively.