The IJ is the river behind Central Station. Along with the river Amstel, the IJ has played an important role in the founding and history of the city, and continues to do so. The river IJ connects the Port of Amsterdam, via the North Sea Canal, with the North Sea to the West. It also connects the port to the rest of the Netherlands, along with most of Europe, to the east. This is is one of Europe’s busiest marine corridors.