Dutch East India Company (VOC)

The Dutch East India Company, known as VOC (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie), was a powerful trading company founded in 1602 in the Netherlands. It was created to control trade in Asia, especially in spices, and to compete with other European powers. The VOC was granted special powers, including the ability to make treaties and establish colonies. It played a significant role in the Dutch colonial empire, influencing trade routes and cultural exchanges. Known for its innovative business model, the VOC is often considered one of the world's first multinational corporations, and it operated until its dissolution in 1799.