How is Amsterdam connected to the North Sea?

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Exploring Amsterdam: Canals, design, and museums — Amsterdam Overview of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is connected to the North Sea by the North Sea Canal. This 24-kilometer (15-mile) long waterway extends in an east-west direction, linking Amsterdam directly to the North Sea coast at IJmuiden.

Opened in 1876, the canal was a vital engineering development that provided Amsterdam with essential access to the sea, transforming the city into a major port. The connection is maintained by sea locks at IJmuiden, which regulate the passage between the canal and the North Sea. The canal is designed to accommodate large oceangoing vessels, with a depth of 15 meters (49 feet) and a width of 235 meters (771 feet).12