
The city
Amsterdam is the capital, financial and cultural capital and largest city of the Netherlands, located in the province of Holland North to the West. The city has a population of about 1 million including suburbs. Its name is derived from Amstel dam, indicating the origin of the city: a dam on the Amstel River in the Dam, at present. Established as a fishing village in late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the largest ports important in the world during the Dutch Golden Age because of its innovative developments in trade. The city was the main center of finance and diamonds during that time. Amsterdam expanded and many new neighborhoods and suburbs were formed in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Attractions
The city attracts more than 4 million tourists each year, with its main attractions are the historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum Anne Frank House, its red light district of cannabis and its many cafes and many others.
Amsterdam Weather
Amsterdam has a cool temperate climate, strongly influenced by its proximity to the North Sea to the west and winter temperatures are mild, rarely time below 0 ° C. Amsterdam Nights rarely fall below -5 ° C, as it is surrounded by large bodies of water on three sides and benefits a significant effect of the heat island. Summers are moderately warm but rarely hot. The average daily high in August is 22 ° C and 30 ° C or more measured on average only 3 days.Amsterdam has an average annual rainfall of less than 760 mm. It takes the form of prolonged rain or light rain, cloudy days as humid during the months regular cold, October to March. European storms only occasionally brings significant rain in a short period of time they need to be pumped to higher ground or of the seas that surround the city.
The architecture of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is known for its architectural past. The oldest building in Amsterdam is the Oude Kerk (Old Church), in the heart of the Wallen, consecrated in 1306. In Amsterdam there were a variety of architectural styles that affect their buildings. The center coordination of all styles of architecture before the late 19th century was the center of the old city. Most historic buildings in the center and nearby homes, as the famous shop houses along the canals.
Tourism in Amsterdam
Shopping
Shops in Amsterdam, ranging from small specialty shops for department stores like De Bijenkorf and the House of stockings, a Parisian style store. In the Vondelpark, it is Hooftstraat and Cornelis Cornelisz Schuytstraat where the majority of stores upper-end shopping district of Amsterdam is located.Another Negen Straatjes and different from other shopping areas by the presence of a variety of stores owned private. The outdoor markets are also widespread in Town, icluding Albert Cuyp Westermarkt Ten Katemarkt and Dapper.
Transportation in Amsterdam
Bicycles
Amsterdam is a bicycle friendly city and is the center of bicycle culture with many good facilities for cyclists such as bike paths and bike racks enter the city. Bicycle traffic and traffic in general is relatively safe, with only 18 road deaths in total for 2007.
Cars
In the center of the city, driving is not recommended. The parking fees are expensive, and many streets are closed to cars or are one-way.
Public Transportation
Public transport in Amsterdam mainly consists of buses and trams. Pedestrians and cyclists can take a three-shuttle Jump IJ in Amsterdam-Noord or ferry fare prices to move east to west along the harbor.You can also be transported along the routes from Amsterdam via water taxis, buses water, a boat's distribution operation, electric boat rentals and cruises along the canals.
Amsterdam, culture and entertainment
Museums
The most important museums of Amsterdam are located on het Museumplein (Museum Square), located on the south side of the Rijksmuseum.
The Rijksmuseum has a collection largest and most classic Dutch art.With a collection of nearly a million objects.
, In front of the Rijksmuseum, the square is a long pond rectangular transforms into a skating rink in winter. You will also find the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, the House of Bols Cocktail & genever experience and Coster Diamonds in the Museum Square. The place is almost completely covered by grass, which makes it the most prominent Amsterdam for festivals and outdoor concerts, especially in summer. Amsterdam has many other museums. They range from small museums like the Verzetsmuseum, the Anne Frank House and Rembrandt, or very large, as the Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam Historical Museum and the Jewish Historical Museum.
Festivals
In 2008 there were 140 festivals in Amsterdam. The celebrations are the most famous Koninginnedag (Queen's Day), Amsterdam Gay Pride and Uitmarkt. Hundreds Thousands of people travel to Amsterdam on Koninginnedag celebration with the residents of the city. The whole city becomes filled with people buying the products of free markets or visiting one of the concerts. The festival takes place on 30 April each year. During Gay Pride There is a long procession of boats floating in the canals of Amsterdam and the strange events take place throughout the city.The Gay Pride is celebrated annually the first Saturday August. The Uitmarkt lasts three days and is a cultural event. It consists of podiums with different artists on them as musicians and poets and is conducted in late August.
About the Author:
Chris du Toit is the owner of bestflights.co.za, a
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for South African travelers where they can search and book the cheapest
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – A Visit to Amsterdam, Netherlands
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