Despite the fact that the seat of Netherlands government is within the Hague, Amsterdam is considered the nominal capital.It's also the country's largest city, having a population greater than 750,000, and also the most visited, with 3,5 million foreign visitors per year.

Holland is a country located in Western Europe, bordering Belgium to the south and Germany towards the east. To its north and west is the North Sea. Even though the Netherlands is the country's official name, people often refer to it as Holland. The provinces of North Holland and South Holland form only a part of the Netherlands.

Amsterdam figures:

Population: 751,000
Country: The Netherlands
Time Zone: GMT/UTC 1
Telephone area code: 020

Currency:

The currency within the Netherlands would be the Euro ( € , EUR), which is often used in the majority of countries inside the Eu. For details on changing money and types of payment see our tips for visitors.

Climate in the Netherlands:

The warmest weather conditions are from June to August, with temperatures between 21 - 26 degrees Celsius. There's rarely extreme temperatures. The air is pretty humid and fog is normal in autumn and spring. You can find stronger winds from October to March. Click for weather.

History of Amsterdam:

Amsterdam, essentially the most planned city of northern Europe, has long been a highly known city. During the 17th century Amsterdam was the centre of world economy, and nowadays the city is known for its tolerant character.

Dutch holiday:

A Dutch holiday can give a festive note to any trip, especially if it involves a parade or special observance somewhere in the country. But expect banks, shops, and a lot of museums being closed, and public transportation to operate on Sunday schedules with the stated holidays.

Architecture:

Amsterdam is where contemporary architecture developed organically between facades of historical buildings. As it is not really a large city, just about all sites of interest tend to be within an acceptable distance. Because of this Amsterdam is really well-liked by lovers of architecture.

Timing your visit:

Any time could be the best time for you to go to Amsterdam. The peak in the tourist months are July and August, while the temperature is the best. Weather, however, is rarely really extreme at any time of the year, and if you are among the increasing numbers who prefer off-season traveling, you will find the city every bit as appealing throughout these months. Not only are airlines, hotels, and restaurants cheaper and less crowded during this period (with increased relaxing and cheerful service), but there's also some really interesting events happening. For instance, the bulb fields close to Amsterdam are usually bursting with colour from mid-April to mid-May. The cultural season is in full swing between September and May in Amsterdam, along with The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht, as well as other nearby towns and cities.

Events:

A number of cultural events and festivals are generally held thoughout the entire year in Amsterdam, a number of them having an English-speaking public in mind. For additional about events in Amsterdam check out the web site of Amsterdam Tourist Board: www.visitamsterdam.nl.