Alkmaar,

Alkmaar, an old town of the Netherlands, on the North Holland Canal, 19 miles N. by W. of Amsterdam by rail. It is well built, has very clean streets, and is intersected by broad canals. It possesses a Gothic town-house; the church of St Lawrence dates from the 15th century. Alkmaar has manufactures of sail-cloth, sea-salt, soap, vinegar, and leather, and trade in cattle, grain, butter, and excellent cheese—of which it exports enormous quantities. Alkmaar held out against the Duke of Alba, who besieged it in 1573. Here, on October 18, 1799, the Duke of York signed a not very honourable capitulation. Pop. 14,048.