Edam is a town in the northwest Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Approximately 7,380 people live in Edam. The town of Edam was founded around a dam crossing the river IJ close by the Zuiderzee, now known as the IJsselmeer. After Edam was granted the right to have weekly markets, commercial cheese markets in the town until 1922. The cheese was brought to the market by local farmers on little boats, and when the cheese was lifted out of the boats it was carried to the market by cheese sledges. At the market, the cheese was shown to the merchants. After being tested for their quality, the price was settled by haggling until there was agreement. After that, the cheese was brought to a warehouse where it was kept until the quality was at its best.