Here's a linktastic page that includes a pretty map of New Amsterdam circa 1660. It even depicts The Wall, which was dismantled by the Brits in 1699 — we now know that area, of course, as Wall Street, which formed the northern boundary of the New Amsterdam settlement. There's more history of the area back in the day from the folks at Inside the Apple; but we like to revert to the knowledge bestowed upon us by John and John. Ahem: "Even old New York was once New Amsterdam / Why they changed it I can't say / People just liked it better that way." [via our Dutch friend's Twitter]