[OSM-newbies] download osm format large area, high zoom level

[Wim de Vries]

Hi,
I want to create tiles with a high zoom level (10 or 11, I think) for a 
large area (Netherlands). I have downloaded the OSM file (almost 1 
Gig).  Mapnik turned out to be a complete disaster  (considering the 
time a have spend on it to NOT get it working [linux 64-bit or WinXP]). 
I installed Kosmos (WinXP) which was quite a relief compared to Mapnik. 
Still, it cannot process the large OSM file.
My question is:
is it possible to chop the large OSM file in smaller peaces or get OSM 
files from OSM, but at a larger size then the current maximum level. 
Bassically, I do not need a lot of the detail (like local streets), but 
I want to change the presentation of the output of the rest of the details.
Thanks,
Wim de Vries