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Czech Republic and Prague
CZECH REPUBLIC
Thanks to its long and rich history and the diversity of its natural environment, the Czech Republic is a great attraction for the millions of guests who visit it every year. The jewel in the Czech crown is Prague with its gorgeous and rich architectural styles, but the country is also dotted with numerous historical city centres, castles and chateaux. Outside the urban areas, deep woods, rock formations and limestone caves are among the many interesting sites the Czech Republic has to offer. Since the Czech lands lie on the border between Eastern and Western Europe, the country has come under the influence of several cultures in the course of history. Each of these influences indelibly marked the face of the country with architectural or artistic monuments. This accounts for the uniquely rich cultural heritage of this relatively small country. In addition, the Czech lands, unlike so many parts of Europe, are practically untouched by the destruction of modern war.
The Czech Republic is a highly developed country situated in Central Europe. Its neighbours are Poland to the north, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and the Federal Republic of Germany to the west. The population is about 10.3 million people, and the area is 78 886 sq. km. Most of the population are Czechs (cca 95%), others are Slovaks (3 %), Poles (0.5 %), and Germans (0.4%). The figures for Czechs and Slovaks include the Romany, who make up about 5% of the population.
The Czech Republic is an industrial country, with cca 48 % of working people employed in industry, some 6 % in agriculture, and about 46 % in services. The services sector has grown rapidly since 1989.
The Czech Republic is a democratic country, rendering political rights to all citizens. The official head of state is the President. The supreme legislative power belongs to the Parliament and the Senate, while executive power lies with the Government. The most powerful parties are the Civic Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Party (while the Communists have polled about 20% of the votes in each election since the changes.)
The Czechoslovak Republic, the predecessor of the present state, was established after the end of World War I (1918) and the fall of the Austrian - Hungarian Monarchy. From 1938 to 1945, the country suffered under Nazi occupation. Prague was liberated from the Nazis in May 1945. However, democracy lasted just three years: the stern Communist rule (from 1948) did not come to an end until the so-called Velvet Revolution in November 1989. In 1993, Czechoslovakia split into two independent states, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.
PRAGUE
The capital of the Czech Republic is Prague - Praha. It is the seat of the Parliament and the Senate, the economic and cultural centre of the country and a city of well-known historical significance.
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is one of the most scenic cities in the world. Its historical centre 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 the Neolithic age.
Greater Prague, where some 1 300 000 people live, covers an area of more than 500 sq. km. The dynamic development of the city is reflected not only in visible changes downtown, but also in all the suburbs. Prague is a major administrative and commercial centre, with a very strong tourist industry. The level of unemployment is very low in this thriving city.
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 centre. Besides the Czech Technical University, 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 50o 05’ 19” N and a longitude of 14o 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, Nürnberg 273, Zürich 654, München 353, Salzburg 374, Wien 297, Bratislava 336, Warszawa 609.
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