CZECH REPUBLIC

BASIC INFORMATION

The Czech Republic is situated approximately in the geographical center of Europe and has an area of 78,866 sq. km. It is a landlocked country 326 km from the Baltic and 322 km from Adriatic. It shares borders with Germany (810 km), Poland (762 km), Austria (466 km) and Slovakia (265 km). The highest point of elevation is the peak of Mt. Snì¾ka (1,602 m above the see level) and the lowest point of elevation is near Høensko where the River Labe leaves Czech territory (117 m above the sea level).

Geographical Map of the Czech Republic


 

CZECH FLAG

CZECH SEAL

FACTS AND DATA

Area: 78,886 sq. km
Capital: Prague (Praha) (Population: 1,213,800)
Length of state border: 2,303 km
Population: 10,304,302
Population density: 131 inhabitants/sq. km
Time zone: Central European Time (C.E.T.)
Political system: Parliamentary democracy
Currency: Koruna (Kc) - Czech crown
(CZK) /1 USD = 29, 186 - 10. April, 2003
(CZK) /1 EUR = 31,35 - 10. April, 2003

National Anthem: Kde domov mùj (Where is my Home)

CLIMATE
The Czech Republic has a transitional climate between maritime and continental characterised by hot, showery summers, cold, snowy winters and generally changeable conditions. On a typical day in Prague between June and August the maximum temperature is between 15°C to 25°C. Temperatures from December to February drop below freezing. Wide variations are common, with temperatures of 35°C in summer and -20°in winter not being very unusual.
May and September often have cool, sunny weather, and are peak months for tourists. April and October are also good months to visit Prague.

For current weather conditions and forecast, use www.pragueiguide.com

BASIC HISTORICAL OUTLINE
_ End of the 5th and beginning of the 6th century - arrival of Slavs in present-day Moravia and Slovakia
_ Second half of the 9th century - arrival of Christian missionaries
_ 9th century - 1306 - a gradual strengthening of the Czech state during the reign of the Premyslid dynasty 1346-1378 - the peak in the prestige and power of the kingdom of Bohemia during the reign of Charles IV
_ Beginning of the 15th century - a crisis of state leads to the Hussite movement
_ 1526 - the Habsburg dynasty succeeds to the throne of Bohemia - the formation of a multi-national empire
_ 1620 - the defeat of the Bohemian Estates at the Battle of White Mountain, continued centralization of the Habsburg Empire
_ 28.10.1918 - foundation of an independent state of Czechs and Slovaks
_ 15.3.1939 - 9.5.1945 - German occupation
_ February 1948 - Communist takeover
_ August 1968 - Soviet-led invasion to Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact countries brings an end to the "Prague Spring" and the Communist Party's attempt to build "Socialism with a human face"
_ November 1989 - fall of the Communist regime
_ 1993 Czech Republic founded after the split of Czechoslovakia
 

PRAGUE

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is one of the most scenic cities in the world. Its historical center covers an area of 8.1 sq. km and includes more than 2000 monuments built between the 8th and 20th centuries. Prague was for this reason awarded the status of a UNESCO Monument Reservation. Nearly every architectural era, from the Romanesque period, through Gothic, to Baroque and Art-Nouveau, is represented in and around Prague. The most ancient monuments show that the territory was inhabited as long ago as in the Neolithic age.
So-called Greater Prague, where some 1 300 000 people live, covers more than 500 sq. km. The dynamic development of Prague is reflected not only in visible changes downtown, but in all 10 districts of the city and its 57 urban areas. Hard numbers reflect this rapid growth, with current statistics showing the presence of approximately 28 000 commercial and joint-stock companies, 324 hotels and countless guest houses, and 3 318 restaurants in central Prague alone.
Prague, with its 28 permanent theatres, 50 museums, over 120 state and city galleries and exhibition halls, plays host to over 300 000 overnight visitors and millions more day-trippers. In addition to the cultural institutions, there are hundreds of entertainment, recreation and sports venues in Prague.
However, Prague is not only a city of historical monuments and cultural establishments, but is also a hospitable place. Renowned pubs spread the fame of Czech breweries. A vast range of quiet wine-bars and restaurants also serve excellent local and imported wines. There are cinemas, discos, clubs, and other places of entertainment to cater for every taste. Parks and gardens take up an area of 870 ha. The Vltava River, with a maximum width of 330 m, flows for 31 km through Prague, has 10 islands, and is crossed by 18 bridges.
Prague is also a prominent educational center. Besides the Czech University of Agriculture, there are 8 other institutions of higher education here. These establishments are attended by a total of some 70 000 students.
Prague is situated at a latitude of 50° 05' 19'' N and a longitude of 14° 25' 17'' E, at an average height of 235 m above sea level. Distances from some European towns are as follows, in km: Berlin 352, Leipzig 253, Nûrenberg 273, Zurich 654, Mûnchen 353, Salzburg 374, Wien 297, Bratislava 336, Warsaw 609.


 

SOME INTERESTING WEBSITES ABOUT PRAGUE:

President: Václav Klaus: http://www.hrad.cz
Government of the Czech Republic: http://www.vlada.cz
Parliament of the Czech Republic: http://www.psp.cz
Prague Post Newspaper: http://www.praguepost.cz/
About Prague: http://www.prague.com/
  http://www.prague.cz/