The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, established in 1602, is one of the oldest stock exchanges in the world. It was created by the Dutch East India Company to facilitate trade and investment in its shares. Today, it operates as part of Euronext, a pan-European stock exchange, and is located in the heart of Amsterdam, Netherlands. The exchange allows companies to raise capital by issuing shares to the public, while investors can buy and sell these shares. It plays a crucial role in the financial market, providing a platform for price discovery and liquidity for various securities, including stocks and bonds.