1._THE_CZECH_REPUBLIC

THE CZECH REPUBLIC

* BASIC FACTS, GEOGRAPHY, POPULATION

basic information

-the Czech Republic is located in Central Europe

- it’s a small state with a population of 10.5 million people and it’s area is about 78,8 thousand square kilometres

- the capital is Prague, the currency is the Czech Crown

- it’s a member of the EU / European Union

- the Czech flag consists of typical Slovan colours – a red and a white stripe and a blue triangle

- the Czech anthem is “Where Is My Home” by J. K.Tyl

- the Czech emblem – coat of arms divided into quarters (the first and fourth – two tailed rampant lion with

golden crown, the second and third – Moravian and Silesian eagle)

- minorities – the most common minorities are Slovaks, Poles, Germans, Russians, Romanises

geography

- it is a country with nice nature, rich culture and history

- the Czech Republic is a land-locked country, meaning it doesn’t have a border with the sea, but it surrounded

by other countries (Poland, Germany, Slovakia and Austria)

- the Czech Republic comprises three lands: Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia (14 regions)

- the biggest one is the Central Bohemia region

- the Czech landscape is quite varied:

-> Bohemia is surrounded by mountains with the highest point of Sněžka

->Moravia in the east is hilly and in the south low-country

- the climate is a mild mixture of maritime and continental influences, four seasons

* PLACES OF INTEREST/POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATIONS

Bohemia

-> West Bohemia

– West Bohemian Triangle of spa towns: Karlovy Vary (the oldest, founded in the 14th century by the Emperor

Charles IV), Mariánské Lázně (numerous parks and flower beds), Františkovy Lázně

-> South Bohemia

– the Šumava Mountains – covered with charming woods and swamps, winter holiday region,

nice trips with sporting, the Vltava springs there

- sporting opportunities – cycling and skiing

- there is the Boubín primeval forest

- is full of lakes for fish breeding, Rožmberk, being the largest and most famous

- towns: Tábor – used to be centre of the Hussite Wars, České Budějovice – famous beer Budweiser

Písek, Český Krumlov – castle, Domažlice

- South Bohemia is also famous for its marvellous castles

-> North Bohemia

- the Krkonoše Mountains – the highest peak Sněžka

- the Lužické Mountains, the Jizerské Mountains = popular destinations for winter holidaymakers

- the major Europian river the Elbe rises in the Krkonoše

Moravia

->South Moravia

– wine farming

– Moravian Karst – with underground caves with numerous stalactites and stalagmites

(the Punkva – underground river)

- Brno – centre of South Moravia, the city is known by foreign businessmen as they come to see the trade fairs

and exhibitions held there every year

-> North Moravia

- Haná – it is fruitful agricultural region

- Olomouc – historical place, university town

Silesia

- the Jeseníky, the Beskydy Mountains – destinations for summer and winter holiday

- Ostrava – industrial centre