INTERNAL AFFAIRS
POPULATIONNetherlands 15.4 million
Amsterdam 800,000
TIME
GMT plus one hour; summertime plus two hours
TELEPHONE
IDD country code 31Amsterdam 31-20
Rotterdam 1-10
The Hague 31-70
Utrecht 31-30
To call internationally from The Netherlands, dial 00 followed by the IDD country code and the number. To call within The Netherlands, all area codes begin with a 0 (so to dial Rotterdam from Amsterdam, dial 010).
Important Dutch PTT Telecom is to change certain area codes, except those for Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. All telephone numbers listed below are preceded by the code 020 unless otherwise stated.
Telephone Centre Raadhuisstraat 48 (open 8AM-2AM daily)
Operator calls 06 01 04
Directory enquiries 008
AT&T 06 022 52 23
WEATHER
Temperate climate, usually with mild summers and reasonably long, cold winters. Bring an umbrella. Hottest month is July with an average 19°C, the coldest is January with an average 0°C
COMMERCIAL HOURS
Banks 9.00-17.00 on weekdays (a few branches open on Saturday morning). To change money, you can also go to the nearest Grenswisselkantoor (GWK) in Central Station or at the Airport, or at American Express on the Damrak (520 7777)Post Offices 9.00-18.00 on weekdays (with major post offices open on Saturday morning)
Shops 9/10.00-18.00. Shops are often closed on Monday morning until 13.00. Late night shopping usually on Thursday or Friday. No Sunday trading
Offices 9/10.00-17/18.00 weekdays
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 1996
1 January, 8 April (Easter), 30 April (Queen's Birthday), 5 May, 25 & 26 December
BEST GUIDE & MAPS
A wide variety of Amsterdam city guides and maps can be purchased at the Amsterdam Tourist Board (VVV) near the Central Station. WHSmith and The American Book Shop, both in the Kalverstraat, are good for a variety of English-language publications. The most beautiful, richly illustrated publication is probably Dorling Kindersley's Eyewitness Travel Guide on the city. Information on all sorts of cultural events can be found in the monthly Time Out magazine.
TOURIST INFORMATION
VVV 06 340 34066Office in front of Central Station
AUB Uitburo 621 1211
Theatre and concert information, ticket reservations
ELECTRIC CURRENT
220/230 volts
MAIN INDUSTRY EVENTS