Fort Amsterdam is a historic fort located at the southern tip of Manhattan in New York City. Built by the Dutch in 1626, it served as the main defense for the settlement of New Amsterdam, which was the capital of the Dutch colony in North America. The fort was strategically positioned to protect the harbor and control trade routes. Over the years, Fort Amsterdam changed hands several times, eventually becoming a British fort after the English seized New Amsterdam in 1664. Today, the site is part of Battery Park and is recognized for its historical significance, with remnants of the fort's walls still visible.