Product Description

Streetwise Amsterdam Map - Laminated Center City Street Map of Amsterdam, Netherlands - Folding pocket size travel map with integrated tram lines & train stations

This map covers the following areas:
Main Amsterdam Map 1:14,500

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #537731 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Map
• 1 pages

Review
"In a strange city, your sense of direction is only as good as the map in your hands. The best maps to carry are published by STREETWISE." --Chicago Daily Herald

"STREETWISE is an absolute travel essential." --Travel & Leisure Magazine

"STREETWISE is an absolute travel essential." --Travel + Leisure Magazine

About the Author
STREETWISE® is the first map to be designed with modern graphics and is the originator of the laminated, accordion-fold map format. We've set the standard that every map company has imitated but never duplicated. Our mission is to make you feel comfortable, to make you feel safe in a place where you've never been before and to enable you to experience a familiar place more fully.

The company was founded in 1984 by Michael Brown, who had been in international publishing for many years, setting up subsidiaries for textbook publishers. In the 1970's, Brown traveled extensively throughout Africa, India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Brown would take a large paper map, cut out the city center, folded it up and slip it into his pocket, thus preventing him from looking like a tourist in areas where discretion is the better part of travel. This was his tool for surviving.

After many years on the road, Brown settled back in New York and decided to start his own business, based on the adaptations he had made to maps in his travels. His goal was to give someone the ability to navigate easily in unfamiliar terrain.

He started with a new map format: the accordion fold. Such a simple idea, but at the time it was revolutionary. No more struggling to fold an awkward, oversized paper map. This new format would enable the user to blend in like a native, instead of stick out like a tourist. Brown then added lamination to ensure that the map would be a lasting tool.

More important than the format was the design of the map itself. It had to be a map that not only succeeded above and beyond any map he had used, but was esthetically appealing as well. The look of it had to be as striking as the functionality. Color was introduced in a way that was never seen before in a map - vivid purple for water, soothing gray for the background of street grids, gold to highlight elements of the map. Clarity, conciseness and convenience in a very stylish package.

Building the business was a 24 hour job. Brown sold the maps during the day, zipping around Manhattan making deliveries on his Harley Davidson. At night he packed the orders and did the design work. More titles were added, each title requiring months of research and design.

Today, STREETWISE® produces over 130 titles for major destinations, regions and countries throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Europe, the United Kingdom and Asia. We have grown from the back of a motorcycle to selling millions of maps around the world.

Yet each title is still painstakingly researched and updated. STREETWISE® is one of the only, if not THE only map company that conducts research by walking or driving an area to ensure accuracy. After all, what good is the map if what you hold in your hands doesn't match what you see on the street sign? This lengthy fact checking results in superior accuracy; in effect, we've done the work, now you have the adventure.

In the end, it's not about the map, it's about getting out and finding your own authentic experience wherever you go. It's about being in a city or a region and discovering things that you never thought you would find. You can do this if you have confidence and you have confidence if you have a great map. STREETWISE® is the great map that you need.

Customer Reviews

Streetwise Amsterdam
Trams, metros and automobiles! Streetwise Amsterdam is the map you need. Wandering through Amsterdam's semi-circular canals from Anne Frank House to the Van Gogh Museum, you'll find your way without difficulty with Streetwise Amsterdam. All major museums and points of interest are shown.

Daring enough to try public transportation? This map shows tram and metro routes for the city center together with the street - no more trying to match public transport grids to street maps!

Very small, laminated to be waterproof (which any Amsterdam veteran knows is invaluable!), and no fumbling with huge paper maps that won't refold correctly! If you will be traveling outside of the city center you will need a larger map as this does not cover the entire metropolitan Amsterdam area.

As an American living in Amsterdam for three years, I still use this map to find the quaint cafe's and other treasures hiding in small side streets and alleyways.

tram lines inaccurate
This is an excellent street map. A nice touch is that it is covered in plastic, making it rain-proof. However, the marginal note says it was updated in 2004. This so-called update must have been done on the basis of out-of-date data. Some tram lines have changed their routes and some have been discontinued. In addition, no bus lines are given on this map. This map is recommended for visitors who do not intend to leave the tourist area, but the visitor who wishes to explore outside the tourist area and who requires more complete and accurate public transportation data should purchase a map at the government transportation office across the street from the main train station. Although many museums and other attractions are indicated on the map and referenced on the index overleaf, some museums and attractions are not found there. A visitor should also have a good guidebook to learn about other sights to see.

Perfect
This was an invaluable tool for the two times I've visited Amsterdam. The map is very easy to read, has enough landmarks added to keep you busy, and the "glossary" on the back of the map will ensure you never get lost. Whenever I hear of a friend visiting Amsterdam, I make sure they buy this map before setting foot in the country. I can't recommend this map enough.