Artis is one of the oldest zoo in the Netherlands. Artis started at the first of May 1838 Zoölogisch Genootschap Natura Artis Magistra. Because of this long name it was quickly simplified to the name the park has nowadays, artis. The goal was to bring nature, living and death, closer to the people. In 1855 the whole collection moved to the plantage kerklaan (the same address they are at the moment). At the 150Th anniversery of the zoo in 1988 a planetarium has been opened. In 1992 the geological museum has been opened. in 2006 they opened a butterfly pavilion, with this pavilion artis has the biggest insect house of the world. In this zoo it is possible to book a guided tour. In this zoo you can find African savanna animals like giraffes, elephants, zebra's etc. They also have different species of mokeys and apes. This zoo also has an aquarium. They have a special department for Australian animals. Also they have a special section for hoofed animals.This zoo is a member of the dutch Federation of Zoos, NVD (Nederlandse vereniging van dierentuinen)
Artis can best be reached by public transport. This because of the fact that the zoo is build in the middle of the city. You can take the train to the central trainstation of Amsterdam, and than take the bus to Artis.
