THE CZECH REPUBLIC
FACT FILE CZECH REPUBLIC
Located in central Europe, the Czech Republic is a landlocked country. The independent Republic of Czechoslovakia was formed in 1918After the collapse of the Austro - Hungarian Empire after World War I.
The historical regions of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, comprise the Republic of Czechoslovakia.
The country split into Czech Republic and Slovakia, in 1993, in 1999 it became a part of NATO and in 2004 a part of the European Union.
A system of Parliamentary Democracy is followed by the country and the literacy rate is as high as 99%.
Surprisingly in the Czech Republic, 50% of the population is atheist.
The famous psychologist and psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud, was a Czech and was born in Freiberg, Moravia, in 1856.
The country has abolished border controls, completely opening its borders with all of its neighbors, Germany, Austria, Poland and Slovakia, on December 21, 2007 after the country fully implemented the Schengen Agreement.
LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY
The Czech Republic is a midsize European country, covering an area of 79,000 sq. km. located in the Northern Hemisphere; Czechoslovakia is approximately in the middle of the European Continent. To its west lies Germany, to its north Poland and to its east Slovakia, this was part of it till 1992.
The dominant elements that constitute the uniqueness and variety of the Czech Republic's terrain are mountains and waters. The country is surrounded almost on all its sides by mountain ranges and some of the largest rivers of the European continent, like Elbe, originate in the Czech Republic. The country is also sometimes referred to as the ‘Roof of Europe’.
BRIEF HISTORY
Around 500 A.D the region was first inhabited by Slavonic tribes. In 9th century the early mighty feudal Great Moravian Empire was formed after uniting of Slavonic tribes. After its disintegration, the power was taken over by the Czech tribe headed by the Premyslid family. This family ruled till 1306 and, after several years of instability, the Czech throne went by way of dynastic wedding to the Luxembourg, and the Czech Kingdom became also the center of the Holy Roman Empire.
In the late 14th century Prague grew into one of the largest European cities of that era, and was a significant center of education, architecture and the arts. This era was followed by the rule of two dynasties first the Jagillonian dynasty, then the Hapsburg dynasty. In 1630, the Czech was defeated in the Battle on the White Mountain, after which for 300 there were endeavors to eradicate Czech statehood and national life.
However, the 19th century saw the revival of the national spirit and when World War I. ended in 1918, the Czech nation was able to take its fate into own hands in the newly established Czech Republic on 28th October 1918 and later joined by Slovaks to form Czechoslovakia.
In 1948 communism gained power under the support of the Russians. In 1968 the people attempted to oust the communists but the soldiers of Soviet Union and the other countries of Warsaw pact crossed the borders of Czechoslovakia and occupied it. The communist rule lasted till 1990, when the 1st free elections were held and the Civic Forum won.
CLIMATE
The country has a moderate type of climate but it differs markedly among the various regions. The border mountain ranges, for example, significantly influence ground-level air flow and rainfall so that the higher you are, average temperatures may drop more and rainfall is more likely.
The beginning of the year in the Czech Republic is characterized by a cold winter, after this comes spring, followed by a warm summer and chilly autumn. This alternation of the seasons has a marked effect, especially on the vegetation.
PEOPLE, CULTURE AND LANGUAGES
The population of the country totals more than 11,000,000. Over 80% of the population of the Czech Republic is of Czech origin, about 13% of it is Moravian and 3 % is Slovak.
Nearly the entire population speaks Czech, which is the official language of the country.
The Czech culture reveals a spectrum of cultural, religious and political influences, from German, to Austrian to Polish and Hungarian, from liberal to deeply traditional, global thinking to fiercely nationalistic.
Prague boasts some of Europe's most famous literary figures and composers, including Franz Kafka and Antonin Dvorak and the Czech Republic has been the center of European culture for centuries.
Wide-ranging cultural programs, covering classical and contemporary music, art, drama, dance and opera, are carried out the year round.
There are hundreds of preserved medieval houses, palaces and churches, castles and chateaux with valuable collections, historic town reserves with unique monuments and open-air museums of folk architecture, spread all over the country, revealing the richness of the Czech culture.
CAPITAL
Prague, the largest city of the Czech Republic, is also its capital. For over 1100 years Prague has been the political, cultural, and economic center of the Czech state.
Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Prague is among the most visited cities on the continent.
The other major cities of the Czech State are Brno, Most, Ostrava and Olomouc.
CURRENCY AND ECONOMY
The monetary unit of the Czech State is the Czech Koruna.
The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states. Including the banks and telecommunications, Most of the country’s economy has been privatized.
TOURIST DESTINATIONS AND ACTIVITIES
The golden Prague, one of Europe's most beautiful and cultural cities, with a wealth of magnificent gothic, baroque, art nouveau and cubist architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, and the world's biggest castle, so you would have a great many treats to enjoy in the capital city.
The magnificent murals in St Barbara's Cathedral in Kutná Hora, a pretty medieval town present a spectacular sight as does the ancient silver mine in the town.
Centuries-old bones of around 40,000 people have been crafted into a stunning display of garlands, chandeliers, sculptures and coats of arms, at Sedlec Ossuary, while it may appear sinister to some but to others it may be just fascinating.
Ceský Krumlov, the Czech Republic's prettiest town has ramparts of a fairytale castle and medieval back streets, through which you can wander and lose yourself.
The university town of Olomouc, noted for its parks, baroque churches, sculptures and fountains and it would make for a great trip.
The country has an incredible array of picture-postcard castles and country houses, including the Disney-esque, 14th-century Karlštejn imposing Konopište, which is a former retreat of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the opulent Hluboká, which is the home of the Schwarzenbergs and the spectacular Vranov on the edge of a rock summit.
Visit Telc, one of the most perfect examples of a Renaissance town in Europe and rebuilt after a fire in 1530, has medieval arcades and gabled and pedimented houses surrounding the picturesque town square.
You could take a cruise along the Vltava River, either downstream to Prague Zoo, or upstream to the Slapy Dam.
There are ideal canoeing facilities in the upper reaches of the Vltava and its tributaries- Sazava and Berounka
The Adrspach-Teplice rocks .are great for hiking or rock climbing, for those of you who like to sweat it out. For more adventure, you will find skiing slopes in the Czech ski resorts and snowboarding at Zacler.
ACCOMMODATION
The country has a horde of hotels, which suit all budgets. The hotels in the capital city are now just as expensive as anywhere in Western Europe and the prices are un-negotiable. However, outside the capital, you can find cheaper hotel options. Pensions, which are usually small, family-run places with up to half a dozen rooms, a bit like a British bed and breakfasts, though slightly more formal, are more common than hotels in rural areas.
In Prague there are a number of private apartments available for short-term rental, and these can prove much better value than a hotel for anything from a long weekend to a fortnight's stay.
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