Amsterdam

Orientation

The Dutch capital, Amsterdam, is located in the north-west of the Netherlands, North Holland province. The city is the undisputed cultural, historical and commercial centre in the Netherlands.

Built on 90 islands, Amsterdam covers an area of 207 square kilometres (80 square miles), and this bustling city is home to approximately 1.73 million Dutch. The city's transport network relies on the complex system of 400 stone bridges across 100 kilometres (60 miles) of canals, thus earning Amsterdam's name as the “Venice of the North”.

Amsterdam is also a centre for the diamond trade.

City Facts

• Amsterdam Population: 1,730,000 (2001 estimate)
• The Netherlands Population: 16,000,000 (2001 estimate)
• Currency: Euro (€, EUR)
• Time Zone: GMT+1 between March and October; GMT+2 for the rest of the year
• Language: Dutch, and English is widely spoken

Weather

Weather Forecast

Climate

Amsterdam weather is mild and typical in the Netherlands. Winters are seldom below freezing and summers are rarely too hot. Holland gets light rain occasionally.

Travel Tips

When to visit- Arts and Events:

The Netherlands has the most art treasures per square kilometre on earth, as it houses the most precious and prized art collection from the 15th to 20th centuries. Amsterdam is host to a series of music, dance and the performing arts festivals.

Dining

Available in most cosmopolitan areas, local Dutch cuisines include stampot, a down-to-earth dish of mashed potatoes with carrots, onions, bacon and smoked sausage, and poffertjes, small hot pancakes covered in powdered sugar. With multi-national corporations, like Sony, IBM and Xerox, choosing Amsterdam as their European headquarters, the city is now exposed to a great variety of international fine cuisines. The Dutch people eat quite early in the evening, so visitors may find that restaurants may close earlier than they expect.

Tipping Advice

A 10% services is generally included in restaurant bills and taxi fares in Amsterdam, while porters, doormen and room service workers expect a small tip for their services.

Transportation

The transport system in Amsterdam is the most reliable in Europe, with speedy and regular trains and buses connecting the capital city with the main Schiphol International Airport as well as other parts of the country.

Arriving by Car

The road system in the Netherlands is one of the best in Europe. Toll-free and multi-lane expressways connect the major cities, while the scenic country routes are also safe and usable.

Getting Around Amsterdam

Traffic is heavy in Amsterdam and parking is pricey. If visitors arrive by car, it is advised that they park on the outskirts of the city and travel across the city by the economical and efficient public transport. Visitors can purchase tickets for the bus, tram and metro on these transport carriers as well as newsstands in the city.

Canal cruises render visitors a special view of the old town and its impressive buildings, while the Museum Boat is a shuttle service that links 20 museums and other tourist hotspots in Amsterdam.

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