Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands, The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, The name Amsterdam is derived from Amstelredamme, indicative of the city's origin: a dam in the river Amstel. Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century.

1. November 28, 2011
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands,
The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom
of the Netherlands,
The name Amsterdam is derived from Amstelredamme, indicative
of the city's origin: a dam in the river Amstel. Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century.
Culture
Dutch culture, or the culture of the Netherlands, is varied, reflecting regional differences as well
as the overseas influences gratitude to the merchant and exploring strength of the Dutch and
the invasion of immigrants. The Netherlands and Dutch people have played a significant role for
centuries as an ethnically open-minded and tolerant centre, with the Dutch Golden Age
regarded as the zenith.
The Netherlands is a very secular culture with more than 40% of the population sustains to
have no religious faith. The rest of the country is made up of 30% Roman Catholic, 20%
protestant and 10% other denominations.
The Netherlands has a rich element of artists in succession through its history as well as the
Dutch masters of the 17th century such as Rembrandt and Vermeer and of pathway, the
famous painters of the 19th century such as Vincent Van Gogh. These painters to this day are
considered to be of immense enormity to the history and development of Art.
Music in the Netherlands has a custom in Folk from the early 19th century significantly
influenced by Germany and Belgium. In more stylish era the Netherlands has become
synonymous with Eurodance and Trance music producing such bands as 2 Unlimited and the
venga boys and spawning DJ’s such as Armin Van Buuren and DJ Tiesto. There is also a large
following of Gothic metal music in The Netherlands with bands such as The Gathering, After
Forever and Epica all coming out of Holland.
Many visitors to The Netherlands are struck by the unexpected and straight nature of people
and sometimes incorrectly interpret it as rudeness. This mannerism takes some time to get
used to but is just a way of being surrounded by Dutch people and within the country is actually
considered as a optimistic trait.
External displays of wealth involving Dutch community are not common and there is an
emphasis within Dutch culture on financial equality that is reflected within earnings and tax
structures within the country. When either dinning out or drinking at a bar each person will
practically always pay their own part hence the worldwide used expression “going Dutch”.

2. November 28, 2011
Climate
The climate in Holland is temperate and incredibly alike to the United Kingdom with summer
temperatures ranges from 20°c – 25°c in July and August and winter temperatures in December and
January ranging from 0°c to 10°c.
The Netherlands receives a moderately stable pour of rainfall throughout the year with April and May on
standard being the driest months
The Best Time to Visit Amsterdam
Amsterdam has an directly familiar charm all its own, whether you see it under blue skies, through light
rain slightly or still along with the prime crowds of high season.
The best time to visit Amsterdam is at any time you can, but if you're flexible with your plans, here are
some guidelines to follow.
Across the world, most travelers visit Amsterdam between April and September, when the days are
longer and temperatures are milder than during other months.
But, the one thing that's invariable concerning Amsterdam weather is that it's volatile. While there's
never a guarantee of good weather, the Dutch pay no mind and carry on with whatsoever festival or
party they have planned
The Cheapest Time to Visit Amsterdam
Travelers will discover the cheapest prices for Amsterdam flights and accommodations from late
October to early March. The exemption here is the holiday season in December.
Airports
Amsterdam Schipol Airport,
Eindhoven Airport
Groningen Airport
Maastricht Aachen Airport
Rotterdam Airport at Nederland

3. November 28, 2011
Travel to Amsterdam and you must experience the fabulous
things to do & attractions
The Netherlands has various attractions to make your hang about, one of the majority fun and
memorable trips of your existence. From zoos, such as, Dolfinarium Safaripark, Beekse Bergen, Blijdorp,
GaiaPark and the Apenheul, to fun-parks like Madurodam, Neeltje Jans, Duinrell and the world-famous
Efteling. And then there are also limitless water sports amenities, historical squares, lively markets and,
of course, the notorious Red Light District and coffee shops.
Canals of Amsterdam
A stay to Amsterdam is just not possible to complete without take pleasure in the canals. They
are a sign of Amsterdam and of enormous cultural and historical value.
Amsterdam Canals Musts
Though every canal is beautiful and unique in itself, there are some unlimited musts
The Golden Bend: the inland waterway from ‘Leidsestraat’ to ‘Vijzelstraat’ has the most
beautiful and splendid stretch of canal houses of Amsterdam.
One view, fifteen bridges: the overpass on the corner of ‘Reguliersgracht’ and ‘Herengracht’
has a extraordinary view over fifteen bridges.
Magere Brug: The Magere Brug is one of the most charming bridges of Amsterdam and it is
spectacular at it is romantically illuminated
Canal tour: Experience the stunning canals and inland waterway with one of Amsterdam’s
numerous canal tours.
Amsterdam canals are cultural inheritance of marvelous widespread value, the city of
Amsterdam also does its sheer best to preserve and protect the canals.
Flower Festival
Flowers and the Netherlands are broadly connected. Flowers are the possessions that affix blush to the
typically Dutch scenery.
Bulb fields, long contracted ditches and green flooring of grass create a multicolored palette, more than
ever in the provinces of Noord-Holland and Flevoland. Flowers are not only one of the main export
products of the Netherlands; they also attract many tourists from all over the world, year after year.

4. November 28, 2011
Tulips
Holland and tulips are always collectively. The first bulbs arrived in Holland several centuries ago from
Turkey and Iran. They instantly became incredibly admired in Holland and their entrance was the
commencement of a thriving flower industry.
Flower Events
If you wish for to spectator the Dutch love for flowers, there are quite a lot of places you can go:
i. Keukenhof: 7 million flower bulbs are planted in the park Keukenhof. It show’s a
fantastic collection of: tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, orchids, roses, carnations, irises,
lilies and other flowers. Keukenhof is by distant the mainly inspiring international
flower demonstration you would ever see.
ii. Floriade: a world horticultural expo held in a different town every ten years. Enjoy
the most beautiful and outstanding flowers, plants, trees and fruit and vegetables.
However block your calendar, because the next Floriade takes place in Venlo in
2012.
iii. Flower Parade: the majority of amazing flower parade in the world. 50 vast floats
and cars luxuriously adorned with flowers and outward appearance a flower parade
that drives along a 40 kilometer route. This visual feast is visited by thousands of
people.
Source: - http://www.holland.com/ca/Tourism/article/Flowers.htm
Museums in Amsterdam
There are over 50 museums in Amsterdam,
For more info source: - http://www.amsterdam.info/museums/
Monthly Events
http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/whats-on/events
Food and Drink in the Netherlands
Traditional Dutch cuisine is relatively simple and the few dishes described as "typically Dutch"
are rarely also described as "highly structured" or "classy". The main element in a customary
Dutch meal is potatoes, typically accompanied by meat and boiled vegetables. Kosher meals are
very familiar.
The Netherlands now has a worldwide slanting cooking with the ingredients for and restaurants
serving foods originating from Africa, France, Italy, Eastern Europe, America and the Far East. In

5. November 28, 2011
the big cities, some very good Thai food restaurants, as well as good authentic Chinese food in
the Chinese quarters.
Typical Dutch Meals
Dutch breakfast consists of numerous types like i.e. bread, slices of Dutch cheese, butter, jam or
honey, sometimes eggs, sausages or prepared meats. Coffee, tea, chocolate and fruit juice are
drunk at breakfast.
Another customary Dutch breakfast is a uitsmijter, which is named to a considerable meal of
eggs, bread, cheese and/or ham and bacon.
In the cities, working people usually have a rather light lunch and eat more substantial dishes
for dinner. The lunch might consist of sandwiches (broodjes), served in a sandwich bar; or a
koffietafel with a variety of cold cuts, cheese, bread and conserves, a side dish with a cottage
pie, salad or an omelette; or filled pancakes and rural families on the other hand are more likely
to have their main meal at midday, and have an early dinner consisting of bread, cold cuts,
cheese and salad.
Typical Dutch Dishes (Main courses)
a) Erwtensoep is a thick pea soup, full of fresh vegetables, served with smoked sausage,
cubes of bacon, pig's knuckle and bread
b) Groentensoep is a clear consommé with vegetables, meatballs and vermicelli
c) Stamppot is a simple dish consisting of mashed potatoes with different ingredients, such
as carrots (wortel stamppot), kale (boerenkook stamppot) or endive (andijvie
stamppot). It is generally served together with rookworst, a juicy smoked sausage
Cheese in Holland
The Netherlands is renowned for its cheese, Dutch cheese is exported throughout the world
and the most familiar are Edam, Gouda and Leiden cheese. Every region in the country
produces cheese, the most excellent identified cheese markets are in the Towns Edam, Gouda,
Woerden and Alkmaar.
Dutch Drinks
Dutch coffee is generally strong. To order coffee with milk request for koffie verkeerd, this is a
lighter version looks like the “French cafe au lait”

6. November 28, 2011
Dutch tea is generally fairly watery and served without milk. In winter, it is especially common
to have a hot chocolate with whipped cream on top.
Alcoholic Drinks
There are no licensing laws in the Netherlands and drinks can be bought all day. Bars open later
and stay open until the early hours of the morning during weekends.
1. Dutch beer (bier), which is a light gassy beer, served chilled, generally in small glasses
There are various beers, dark to white beer with some being brewed
2. In winter, alcoholic bitters are quite popular and every town has its own version:
Beerenburg in Amsterdam, Schrobbelear in Tilburg. Bitters are obtained by distilling
various herbs, spices and seeds in wine brandy
3. Jenever, the local spirit made with juniper berries and sometimes called Dutch gin, is
normally taken straight and chilled as a chaser with a glass of beer, but it is sometimes
Source: - http://southholland.angloinfo.com/countries/holland/food.asp
Facts & Figures
Surface area: 41,528 km² (18.41% water)
Total population: over 16.5 million
Population density: 488 people per km2
Capital city: Amsterdam (inhabitants: 747,000 in 2010)
Government: The Hague
Official languages: Dutch, Frisian (only spoken in Friesland)
Type of government: Constitutional monarchy - parliamentary democracy
Religion: 27% Roman Catholic, 17% Protestant, 6% Muslim, 1% Hindu, 1% Buddhist
Currency: Euro
National holidays: Queen’s Day (30 April) Liberation Day (5 May)
Average temperature in July: 17.4 °C
Average temperature in January: 2.8 °C
People: With over 16.5 million people and a inhabitants density of 488 people per km2, the
Netherlands is the most densely populated country of the European Union.

7. November 28, 2011
Language: The official language is Dutch. The population of the province of Friesland has a
option between Dutch and Frisian, people often speak besides Standard Dutch. Many Dutch
people also speak German and English.
Landscape: Water utters the Dutch scenery. Three huge European rivers reach the ocean via
the Netherlands. 26% of the Netherlands is under sea level. The Dutch built a water structure
consisting of dykes, polders and weirs. However, the Netherlands proposes additional
difference than the familiar green, flat polder landscape with black and white cows.
Economy: The Netherlands is identified as a politically constant country with a sound financial
policy. The Netherlands is one of the mainly unwrap economies in the world and is one of the
world’s top 5 biggest exporters.
Three quarters of the professional population work in the service sector, one quarter in the
industrial sector and only 4 percent in agriculture.
Games: The most popular games in the Netherlands are football, hockey, tennis, cycling, golf,
volleyball, korfball, handball, swimming and ice-skating. Dutch football and speed skating
particularly enjoy widely.
Orange is related to the Dutch Royal Family and represents the national identity of the
Netherland that’s why they wear it during sports and events.
National anthem: The Dutch National anthem is ‘Het Wilhelmus’, which consists of 15 stanzas
about Prince William of Nassau.
Social habits: The Dutch are innovative, open minded and sensible. They are also rather
straight, truthful and open in their communication with others. The Dutch are known for their
liberal attitudes towards topics such as abortion, and (soft) drug use.
Source: - http://www.expatax.nl/factsandfigures.php
Travel Visa
Who requires a visa?
In the Netherlands, the rules and regulations for visitors from abroad are contained in the
Aliens Law. For an overview of all regulations applicable, click here and carefully read the
information.
The following section contains general information only.

8. November 28, 2011
Whether a prospective visitor requires a visa depends on his nationality and how long he
intends to stay in the Netherlands. Nationals of many countries require a visa for an
uninterrupted stay of up to three months.
It can take a minimum of a few days up to a maximum of two months to process a visa
application, depending on whether further investigation is necessary in the Netherlands. In
exceptional cases, an investigation will take longer than two months. You should therefore
apply for a visa as soon as possible to avoid the disappointment of having to postpone your
visit.
Dutch Embassy Source: http://www.learn4good.com/travel/netherlands_embassies.htm
Source: - http://www.learn4good.com/travel/netherlands_visa.htm
Frequently traveled origin and destination points Inbound and
out bound travelers for Amsterdam.
USA
Boston, Chicago ,Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami,
Minneapolis, New York, Portland - Oregon, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington
Canada
Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, Ontario, Vancouver
Central America,
Aruba, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Netherlands Antilles
America - South
Brazil Rio & Brasilia, Ecuador Quito, Lima Peru, Surinam, Santiago Chile,
Europe
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,
Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland Turkey, Ukraine, United
Kingdom
Africa
Cairo Egypt, Cape Town & Johannesburg South Africa, Nigeria Kenya
Asia
Bahrain, China (Shanghai, Guangzhou,) Hong Kong, India (Delhi Hyderabad Mumbai), Indonesia
(Denpasar, Bali), Japan (Tokyo, Narita), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Oman, Philippines, Singapore, South
Korea (Seoul), Thailand, United Arab Emirates
Australia
(Sydney, Melbourne) New Zealand (Auckland)

9. November 28, 2011
Online Travel Search trends & stats for “to or from Amsterdam”
and most searched flights for Amsterdam.
Data from online searches source over the past 12 months.
0
10
20
30
Amsterdam Travel Stats
Yearly % Volume