The Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is the state in which we live, and which most of us were also born. It is our native country. The Czech Republic is situated in Central Europe. It is said that it lies in the heart of Europe. The Czech Republic is an inland country. With an area of 79 thousand km2 it is located in the temperate climatic zone.
Our republic has four neighbours. In the north it borders Poland and in the south Austria. The shortest border is with Slovakia in the east and the longest with Germany in the west.
The Czech Republic has a population of about 10.3 million. Some live in Bohemia, other in Moravia and some in Silesia. The three oldest parts of our republic are Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. Besides Czechs, Moravians and Silesians, different national minorities live there as well. There are Slovaks, Poles, Germans, Hungarians, Roma and Vietnamese. Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic. It is home to more than 1.2 million people.
Mountain ranges form our country´s natural borders. The surface of our country is rather hilly. The Western border is formed by the Krušné Mountains, where the highest peak is called Klínovec. The Šumava range, where we find a lot of marshes, extends to the south. Also two glacial lakes can be found there – Černé and Čertovo. The Šumava range is known for its original virgin forest. There are many old trees and bushes. It is dangerous for tourists to walk there alone. The highest mountains in the Czech Republic are the Giant Mountains. There is located the highest peak in the Czech Republic - Sněžka. The Jizerské Mountains lie on the border with Poland, where the Orlické Mountains are also located. Other mountain ranges visited by tourists are, for example, Beskydy, Hrubý Jeseník and the Little Carpathians along the border with Slovakia. Sandy rocks in Český Ráj or stalactite caves in Moravský Kras are frequent destinations for visitors. The underground rivulet Punkva flows there. The greatest abyss, called Macocha, is also situated in Moravský Kras.
The Czech Republic doesn´t have any seacoast, but it has many navigable rivers. Thanks to the Elbe, Morava and Oder we can use the ports of neighbouring countries. The Elbe has its source in the Giant Mountains and leaves our native country at Hřensko. It flows through Germany and enters the North Sea.
The largest and the most important tributary of the Elbe is the Vltava. Several dams have been built on this river, such as Lipno, Orlík and Slapy. These dams are not only used for the production of electricity, but are in the first place favourite destination for people, who come here for recreation.
South Bohemia is known for its large and numerous ponds. Freshwater fish are farmed there, primarily carp. The largest pond is called Rožmberk. It was created in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Czech Republic has a large number of spas. Spa services have a long tradition. They are visited by healthy as well as sick people from our country and from abroad. Among the most famous are Karlovy Vary, Františkovy Lázně and Jánské Lázně.
The Czech Republic has 77 districts including Prague. The largest city is Prague with 1.2 million inhabitants. Other large cities are Brno, Plzeň, Liberec, Olomouc etc.
Our country is rich in minerals. Black and brown coal, lignite and sand for glass making are mined there. Among the prominent industrial cities belong Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Kladno, Most etc. To produce energy, thermal power stations (Tušimice, Chvaletice), nuclear power plants (Dukovany, Temelín) and hydroelectric power plants (Lipno, Orlík, Slapy, Dalešice) are utilized. Other industries include metallurgy, the machine tool industry, the building industry, the food industry and others.
Czech beer brewing and wine making have a long tradition and popularity at home and abroad. Agriculture production serves to feed the people of the republic.
In the lowlands the following heat-loving crops are grown – sugar beet, sunflowers, sweet corn, fruits and vegetables. Poultry are also raised here. In the highlands mainly potatoes and some types of grain are grown. Pigs and sheep are bred there.
The most frequently used mean of transport are rail and road.
First dynasty occupying this territory was the Slavonic. In the 9th century power was taken by Přemyslid dynasty. When the Přemyslid dynasty died, the Czech throne got the Luxembourg. Under Charles IV the Czech Kingdom flourished as well. Charles IV built the second oldest bridge in our republic and founded Charles University.
On January 1st 1993 the former Czechoslovakia split into two countries – the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Both countries adopted new constitutions.
On March 12th 1999 the Czech Republic joined NATO and from May 1st 2004 it has been a member of the European Union.
The head of state of the Czech Republic is the President. He is elected for a five-year term. Real power, however, is wielded by parliament and the government. The state flag consists of two horizontal stripes (white on the top, red on the bottom) and a blue wedge.
The Czech crown is the currency. In a few months the Czech Republic may adopt the euro.