The Amsterdam North Sea Canal Area covers the harbour region running from Ijmuiden (situated on the North Sea) up to Amsterdam harbour (situated approximately fifteen kilometres inland). The area lies in the western part of the Netherlands and, together with Schiphol International Airport, makes up an important European logistic cluster within the North European Trade Axis: the corridor that runs from Dublin, via Central England and the Amsterdam North Sea Canal Area to the German and Scandinavian hinterland. The Amsterdam North Sea Canal Area serves as an important gateway to the European hinterland.