In the 16th and 17th century non-Dutch immigrants to Amsterdam were mostly Huguenots, Flemings, Sephardi Jews and Westphalians. Huguenots came after the Edict of Fontainebleau in 1685, while the Flemish Protestants came during the Eighty Years' War. The Westphalians came to Amsterdam mostly for economic reasons – their influx continued through the 18th and 19th centuries. Before the Second World War, 10% of the city population was Jewish.

Most visitors arrive in Amsterdam at the Central Station, and then walk south over the streets Damrak and Rokin. In medieval times, both these streets actually were the final end of the Amstel river. They used to cut Amsterdam in half: east of the Damrak-Rokin-axis was the Old Side (Oudezijde) of Amsterdam, the oldest part of the city dating from the 13th century. West of the Damrak-Rokin-axis was the New Side (Nieuwezijde), which was constructed later, but still dates from the late Middle Ages.

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Hotel ABBA, Overtoom 118-122 (Vondelpark, Tram: Overtoom or Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat), ☎ +31 20 618 3058. Cheap but clean hotel, close to the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum.

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Amsterdam Jewel Canal Apartments, Singel 235, ☎ +31 6 244 575 93. Two canal side apartments in the center of Amsterdam, close to the Dam Square. Suitable for holiday and business stays. Free high speed internet. From €109 to €179.

Blue Moon Bed & Breakfast, Weteringschans 123A, ☎ +31 20 428 88 00. Super slick Bed & Breakfast in the centre of Amsterdam opposite the Rijksmuseum. From €105 to €165.

Hotel de Paris', Marnixstraat 372, ☎ +31 20 623 75 24‎. Three star hotel. From €99.

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Bob's Youth Hostel, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 92 (New Side, Tram: Nieuwezijds Kolk), ☎ +31 20 623 0063 (booking@bobsyouthhostel.nl). Breakfast, shower, dorm bed at €22 a night. Private rooms with a kitchen are €70 for two persons and €90 for three people.

De Oranje Tulp, Damrak 32 (New Side, Tram: Central Station), ☎ +31 20 428 16 18. Expensive, but posh. €50.

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Internet

The first internet cafes of the country opened in Amsterdam, but they vanished as quickly as they appeared. Only a few smaller internet cafes remain in the Old Center. Outside of it, you might want to try your luck at one of the phone shops (belwinkel), which cater for immigrant communities in the Netherlands, but they usually only have one or two terminals. The Amsterdam Public Library (Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam) offers free internet access. It is limited to web-only access though, and is located near the Central Station in the Old Center.

Work

Many people plan to move to Amsterdam for a year to relax before "settling down". This plan often falls apart at the job phase. Many people will find it difficult to get a suitable job, if they do not speak Dutch. However, hostels and hotels in Amsterdam may need bar staff, night porters etc, who speak English and other languages. There are also specialist websites for English and non-Dutch speakers looking to work in Amsterdam and they are a often a good place to start; Blue Lynx - Employment by Language, Undutchables, Unique and Xpat Jobs are all useful resources.