Prime Minister
Jan Fischer
Total
% water surface
78,866 km²
2
Total ()
Density
10 403 100 people
129 people/km²
total()
Per capita
211.698 billion
20 606
(CZK, code 203)
Story
The Czech lands have been known since the end of the 9th century, when they were united by the Přemyslids. The Kingdom of Bohemia had considerable power, but religious conflicts (the Hussite Wars in the 15th century and the Thirty Years' War in the 17th century) devastated it. It later came under the influence of the Habsburgs and became part of Austria-Hungary.
As a consequence of the collapse of this state after the First World War, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Subcarpathian Rus united and formed the independent Republic of Czechoslovakia in 1918. This country had a large enough ethnic German minority that was the reason for the disbandment of Czechoslovakia when Germany secured the annexation of the Sudetenland as a result of the Munich Agreement of 1938, which led to the secession of Slovakia. The remaining Czech state was occupied by Germany in the (Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia).
Sights of the Czech Republic
Main article: Sights of the Czech Republic
Political structure
Main article: Political structure of the Czech Republic
According to the Constitution, the Czech Republic is a parliamentary democracy. The head of state (president) is indirectly elected every five years by parliament. The President is given special powers: to propose judges to the Constitutional Court, to dissolve parliament under certain conditions, to veto laws. He also appoints the Prime Minister, who sets the direction of domestic and foreign policy, as well as other members of the government cabinet on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Among all the post-communist states, the Czech Republic has one of the most stable and successful economic systems. Its basis is industry (mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and electronics, chemistry, food industry and ferrous metallurgy) and the service sector. The share of agriculture and forestry, as well as the mining industry, is insignificant and continues to decrease.
The monetary unit of the Czech Republic is the kroon (1 kroon = 100 hellers), which has been fully convertible since 1995. Unlike almost all other post-communist countries, the Czech Republic managed to avoid hyperinflation and sharp devaluations of the national currency. After some weakening of the crown in the late 90s. to date, its rate relative to the main world currencies has increased markedly.
Following the initial difficulties caused by the collapse of the CMEA, the division of the country and the change in the structure of the economy, and the subsequent growth of the Czech economy in 1997-1998. experienced a certain crisis, from which it began to emerge only from mid-1999. The result was an increase in foreign debt and a jump in unemployment. The crisis phenomena were overcome by increasing exports to market economy countries, primarily the European Union (and within its framework - Germany), attracting foreign investment and increasing domestic consumption. After joining the EU in May 2004, the economic growth of the Czech Republic accelerated markedly and, despite the largely populist economic policy of several governments of the Social Democrats, reached 6-7% per year. The share of industry in GDP, which reached 62% by 1990, decreased at first by half, is currently growing and reaches 38%, which is quite enough. a rare occurrence among developed countries. Ferrous metallurgy and the military industry have lost their importance due to the automotive and electrical industries, thanks to the development of which the Czech Republic has had a positive foreign trade balance since 2004, despite the rapid rise in prices for imported energy carriers (oil and gas). In terms of foreign trade per capita, the country is one of the leaders, ahead of such countries as Japan, Great Britain, France or Italy.
Population
The building of the Consulate General in St. Petersburg
The basis of the population of the Czech Republic (95%) are ethnic Czechs and speakers of the Czech language, belonging to the group of West Slavic languages. Foreigners make up about 4% of the country's population. Among immigrants, the largest diaspora in the Czech Republic is Ukrainians, who at the end of 2007 lived in the country 126,500. In second place are Slovaks (67,880), many of whom remained in the Czech Republic after the separation in 1993 and make up approximately 2% of the population. On the third - citizens of Vietnam (51,000). They are followed by citizens of Russia (23,300) and Poland (20,600). Other ethnic groups include Germans, Gypsies, Hungarians and Jews. The border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia is open to citizens of the former Czechoslovakia.
According to the language, the Czechs belong to the West Slavic peoples. The language of central Bohemia was put at the basis of the early works of Czech writing of the 13th-14th centuries. But as the influence in the country of the Catholic Church, German feudal lords and the patriciate of cities increased, the Czech language began to be subjected to oppression in favor of the German and Latin languages. But during the period of the Hussite wars, literacy and the literary Czech language became widespread among the masses. Then came the two-century decline of Czech culture under the rule of the Habsburgs, who pursued a policy of Germanizing the subject Slavic peoples (by the middle of the 19th century, 15% of the population spoke Czech, and the possibility of taking one of the Slavic languages, in particular the Russian literary language, was considered as a literary language). The Czech language began to revive only at the end of the 18th century, its basis was the literary language of the 16th century, which explains the presence of many archaisms in the modern Czech language, in contrast to the living spoken language. The spoken language is divided into several groups of dialects: Czech, Middle Moravian and East Moravian.
The Czech Republic is one of the densely populated states. The average population density is 130 people. per 1 sq. km. The distribution of the population on the territory of the republic is relatively even. The most densely populated are the areas of large urban agglomerations - Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Pilsen (up to 250 people per 1 sq. km). The regions of Cesky Krumlov and Prachatice have the minimum population density (about 37 people per 1 sq. km). As of 1991, there were 5,479 settlements in the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic belongs to highly urbanized countries: about 71% of the population lives in cities and towns, while more than 50% live in cities with a population of over 20 thousand inhabitants, the share of the rural population continues to decline. The only metropolis in the Czech Republic is Prague, which has a permanent population of 1,188,000 inhabitants (as of December 31, 2006; the population of Prague has been slowly decreasing since 1985). As of 2006, the Czech Republic has 5 cities with a population of more than 100,000 inhabitants (Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Pilsen, Olomouc), 17 cities with a population of more than 50,000 inhabitants, and 44 cities with a population of more than 20,000 inhabitants.
The total population of the Czech Republic, having reached a post-war maximum in 1991 - 10,302 thousand people - then slowly decreased until 2003, when it amounted to just over 10,200 thousand people, but since then there has been a slight increase to 10,280 thousand pers. - mainly due to an increase in the flow of migrants (primarily from Ukraine, Slovakia, Vietnam, Russia, Poland and the countries of the former Yugoslavia). Natural population growth was negative in the period 1994-2005, in 2006 there is some positive growth due to an increase in the birth rate and a decrease in mortality. At the same time, the level of female fertility is still deeply insufficient for the reproduction of the population (about 1.2 children per 1 woman of reproductive age). In recent years, the Czech Republic has become one of the states with the lowest level of infant mortality (less than 4 per 1,000 births). Since 1990, there has been a steady decline in the number of abortions and induced abortions in the Czech Republic.
Most of the population - 71.2% - is in the productive age (from 15 to 65 years), while 14.4% of Czech citizens are under 15 years old, and 14.5% are over 65 years old. In the productive age, the number of men slightly exceeds the number of women, but in the post-productive age, women noticeably prevail (for two women there is one man). The average age of the population of the Czech Republic is 39.3 years (women - 41.1 years, men - 37.5 years). Average life expectancy is 72.9 years for men and 79.7 years for women (as of 2006).
The majority of the adult population is married, although the proportion of singles is relatively high, with one in five men and one in eight women unmarried. Currently, men marry at 28 years old, women - at 26 years old, which is close to the European trend (for comparison: in 1993 these figures were 23 and 19 years, respectively). The first child appears in the family most often within 6 months after the wedding. Czech families are characterized by a high divorce rate. Currently, almost every second marriage ends in divorce, as a result of which almost 80% of all children under the age of 15 live in single-parent families. The average family size has decreased over the past 30 years from 3.5 to 2.2 people.
The economically active population is 51.5% of the total. A specific feature of the Czech Republic among other countries is the high level of employment of women, who make up about 48% of the total economically active population. Most women work in the service industries - health care, education, trade and catering. Most women work out of economic necessity in order to maintain the family's standard of living. The unemployment rate is 7.3% (November 2006), which is more than in 1990-1997. (3-5%), but noticeably less than in 1999-2004. (up to 10.5%).
A significant number of Czechs live outside Czech Republic- in Austria, Germany, USA, Canada, Australia and other countries. This is the result of economic migration in search of work, which took on noticeable proportions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and political emigration after the political upheaval of 1948 and the occupation of 1968.
Illiteracy in the Czech Republic is practically absent (occasionally found among older Roma). A high level of literacy was typical of Czechs even during the First Republic (1918-1938): at that time, about 95% of all residents had a basic education. In recent years, the level of education has increased markedly. Every third economically active resident of the Czech Republic has completed secondary education (corresponding to the level of 12-13 years of education), and every tenth citizen of the Czech Republic has or is receiving higher education. A typical worker has at least a secondary vocational training. The high qualification of Czech workers is one of the main advantages of the Czech economy. So far, the country lags behind the most developed European countries in terms of the proportion of the population with completed secondary and higher education.
culture
Orlik Castle
Main article: Culture of the Czech Republic
- Famous people of the Czech Republic
- Music of the Czech Republic
- Cinema of the Czech Republic
- Literature of the Czech Republic
Humanitarian organizations
Czech Red Cross(Czech. Český červený kříž, English Czech Red Cross)
The Czech Red Cross (ČKK) is a humanitarian organization operating throughout the Czech Republic. In its activities, the ChKK concentrates on humanitarian issues and the provision of medical and social assistance to the population.
Currently, the number of members of the ChKK reaches 70381 people working in 1712 local organizations.
The Czech Red Cross is the only internationally recognized National Red Cross Society in the Czech Republic that is recognized by the state. In accordance with the Geneva Conventions, the CHKK provides assistance and support to the medical service of the armed forces.
The status of the ČKK and its objectives are regulated by the Law on the Protection of the Emblem and Name of the Czech Red Cross and on the Czechoslovak Red Cross (Act No. 126/1992).
On August 26, 1993, the ChKK was recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and on October 25, 1993, admitted to membership in the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The Czech Red Cross continues the activities of its predecessors - the Patriotic Society for Aid of the Czechoslovak Kingdom (Czech. "Vlastenecký pomocný spolek pro Království české", English. "Patriotic Society for Aid in the Czech Kingdom.") (founded on September 5, 1868) and the Czechoslovak Red Cross (founded February 6, 1919).
As an independent organization of the ChKK, after the division of the Czechoslovak Red Cross, it was registered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Czech Republic on June 10, 1993 (Ministerstvo vnitra ČR dne 10. 6. 1993 pod čj. VS / 1-20998 / 93-R)
Notes
Links
Information
- Official portal of the Czech Republic (Russian) (Czech) (English) (German) (French) (Spanish)
- Official portal of the Government of the Czech Republic (Czech)
- Official website of the President of the Czech Republic (Czech) (English)
- Official website of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic (Czech) (English)
- Official website of the Senate of the Czech Republic (Czech) (English)
- Train and bus timetables (Czech) (English) (German)
- Embassy of the Czech Republic in Moscow (Russian) (English)
How it all started
The second name of the Czech Republic is Bohemia. It originated from the ancient Celtic tribe of Boi, who inhabited the territory of modern North Bohemia in prehistoric times. Then the Celts were replaced by the German tribes of the Marcomanni, and in the 5th century they were replaced by the Slavs, from whom the modern Czechs descended.
The Slavic state, which reached its peak by the beginning of the 11th century and was called Great Moravia, has a very strange fate. Firstly, none of the historians can say exactly where the capital of this state was located. Secondly, despite the fact that Great Moravia had a rather impressive territory (it included Slovakia, Bohemia, as well as part of present-day Austria and Hungary), by the beginning of the 10th century this state had collapsed. Great Moravia was a Christian country, its baptizers, just like in Russia, were the apostles Cyril and Methodius.
"I see a golden hail!"
Thanks to the efforts of the first Czech princely dynasty, the Přemyslids, in the period from the 10th to the 14th century, a new unification of the country takes place. One of the most significant figures of this dynasty was Prince Wenceslas I, who was later canonized and considered the heavenly patron of the Czech Republic. The same period is associated with the emergence of the capital of the Czech state - the city of Prague. 
According to an old legend, this event was predicted by Princess Libuse, the mythological founder of the Přemyslid family. Looking from the steep bank of the Vltava River at the place where Prague is now located, she prophetically exclaimed: “I see a golden city, its glory will ascend to the stars!” Of course, a legend is a legend, and historians, as always, have their own opinion on this issue: they believe that Prague became the capital after Prince Přemyslidovich-Borzevoy moved his residence here.
Despite the fact that Bohemia (namely, as the Czech Republic was called in the old days) had its own princely dynasty, it was part of the German Empire. The situation changed in the second half of the 12th century, during the reign of Prince Přemysl Ottakar II. He managed not only to get out of the subordination of the German Empire and establish autocracy in Bohemia, but also to expand the boundaries of his possessions, adding Austria, Styria, Carinthia and Krajina to the Czech lands. True, the triumph of Přemysl did not last long: the prince died in the war for the German crown that followed these events.
Luxembourg
Following Přemysl Ottakar II, another representative of the Přemyslid family, Prince Wenceslas III, was killed in the Czech city of Olomouc. The dynasty has ceased to exist. The question of who should rule next was soon resolved: in 1310, the wedding of 14-year-old John of Luxembourg took place to the 18-year-old daughter of Wenceslas III Eliska (Elizabeth). Despite his young age - which, however, was in the order of things - John annexed Cheb and a significant part of Silesia to Bohemia. All together, the new regions began to be called the lands of the Czech crown.
John of Luxembourg was a good king, but he had one fatal weakness for himself: he loved to fight. When there were no wars and skirmishes in his own state, he went after them to other countries. Naturally, this passion did not lead to anything good: in 1346, John died at the Battle of Crecy, opposing the British on the side of the French. 
The throne passed to John's son Charles IV, who was crowned Holy Roman Emperor. The personality of this ruler is so interesting that it deserves a separate discussion. Charles was a more practical and less ambitious ruler than his father, and took a keen interest in all the political affairs of his country. The biography of Charles IV is full of interesting facts. So, for example, few people know that the Czech king had a completely different name: at birth he was named Wenceslas IV, but since he was brought up at the French court, they began to call him Charles there. Incidentally, this fact is the reason why Charles IV is sometimes confused with his son, also named Wenceslas IV.
Charles IV came to the throne, almost a child. He did not know the Czech language at all, and he was immediately surrounded by many evil advisers who wanted to usurp power, formally leaving the young king to rule. However, despite his age, Karl turned out to be a very subtle and intelligent politician. Having unraveled the plans of his treacherous henchmen, he learned the Czech language in a very short time and took the reins of government into his own hands.
Charles IV is called the father of the Czech people. Indeed, this wise and enlightened ruler did a lot for his country, and the times of his reign became the zenith of the power and prosperity of the Czech Republic. It was under him that the first Charles University in Central Europe was created, the Charles Bridge and the magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague were built, as well as many churches and monasteries throughout the Czech Republic. In those days, Prague was considered the third city of the Christian West after Rome and Constantinople. A gilded plaque on the Old Town Hall reads: "Prague is the head of the empire." The emperor came up with a plan for the Prague New Town and personally supervised the construction; Karlštejn Castle and Karlovy Vary Spa were also named after Charles IV. Among the merits of Charles should be attributed to the beginning of winemaking in the Czech Republic.
Period of the Hussite Wars
After the death of Charles IV, his eldest son Wenceslas IV became the owner of the Czech crown. The period of his reign was marked by economic, national and religious conflicts. The prerequisites for these conflicts arose under Charles IV. The fact is that, being a very pious person and, moreover, having influential friends in Vatican circles, Charles actively supported the clergy. At the end of his reign, it had such wealth and privileges that it could not but cause discontent among the population of the country.
In order for these public sentiments to develop into something more, an ideological leader was needed. And such a person soon appeared. Jan Hus, a teacher of theology at the University of Prague, became them. In his sermons, which took place in the Bethlehem chapel, Hus condemned the depravity of the clergy, called for depriving the church of its property and subordinating it to secular power, demanded a reform of the church, and opposed German dominance in the Czech Republic. The further fate of Jan Hus is known to everyone. At first he was excommunicated, but despite this, he continued to secretly preach in Czech towns. Then, by decision of the church council, which was held in German city Constance, Hus was sentenced to death. The execution of Hus took place on July 6 (now this day is a public holiday in the Czech Republic). Every Czech first-grader knows the last words of the great reformer, which he uttered after he was last asked to abandon his ideas: “I will not renounce!” The execution of Jan Hus was the spark that ignited the flames of the 20-year Hussite wars. This revolution left a deep mark on the history of the country, but did not lead to any significant results. By compromising with the Reformationists, the church fulfilled only social, not religious, demands.
Habsburgs
In 1526, Archduke Ferdinand I of Habsburg became King of Bohemia. This dynasty was destined to rule the country until 1918. The emperor who left the most visible and striking mark in the history of the Czech Republic was Rudolf II. Of course, he was a man with an extraordinary and interesting character. He kept a lion as a pet and was an art lover and mystic. Rudolf collected a very large collection of paintings, including the works of the geniuses of the Italian Renaissance - Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. Rudolf's passion for everything connected with the supernatural led Prague to become the world capital of alchemy for almost thirty years. Magicians and alchemists flocked here from all over Europe in the hope of obtaining the patronage of the emperor.
Rudolf II was the only representative of the Habsburg dynasty who wished to move to Prague (the rest of the Habsburgs ruled the country from Vienna). As once under Charles IV, and during the reign of Rudolf, the capital of the Czech state became the cultural center of the Holy Roman Empire. Many Baroque buildings were built here, including the Loreta Church and the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. In 1611, under pressure from relatives, Rudolf II was forced to abdicate in favor of his brother Matthias. The fact is that the emperor suffered from a severe form of syphilis, accompanied by dementia.
Subsequent representatives of the Habsburg family began to pursue a policy of tightening the screws: one after another, all the liberties for which the loyal and democratic Rudolf II was so generous were canceled. 
In 1618, the political situation in the country escalated so much that it resulted in an event called the “Second Prague Window Throwing”: a group of 27 Bohemian nobles threw two imperial governors and their secretaries out of the windows of the royal palace. This uprising was one of the reasons for the beginning of the Thirty Years' War - Protestant Bohemia rebelled against Catholic Austria. The decisive battle in this war was the battle of the White Mountain, which the Protestants lost. More than 30,000 Protestant families were forced to leave the country, and Prague turned into a provincial town for many years. In the history of the Czech Republic, a "dark era" of economic and cultural stagnation began. During this period, the official language of the state becomes German, all key positions in the state pass to the Germans, they also occupy a leading position in the economy. Many Czech nobles and intellectuals are leaving the country.
Awakening the nation
The reign of the Austrian Archduchess Maria Theresa was marked by the awakening of national identity, the whole country was engulfed by peasant uprisings. Under the emperors Joseph II and Leopold II, Czech culture was revived: performances in the Czech language were staged in theaters, and the works of the historian Frantisek Palacky were published. Well aware of the threat created for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Emperor Franz Joseph is trying to stop the revolutionary mood in the country, but he fails to do so.
World War I and the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Already during the First World War, such prominent political figures of the Czech Republic as T. Masaryk, E. Beneš and M. Stefanik found refuge first in Switzerland and then in Paris. They manage to convince the allies of the need to create an independent Slavic state between Germany and Austria.
At the end of the war, on October 28, 1918, a significant event took place: the Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed in Prague. On November 14 of the same year, its first president, Tomasz Masaryk, was elected. In 1935, Eduard Benes replaced him in this post.
The Second World War
However, the newly formed state did not last long. After the conclusion of the so-called Munich Treaty of 1938, Nazi Germany seized the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia, populated mainly by Germans. On March 14, 1939, Slovakia declared its independence, and the very next day, fascist troops invaded the territory of the Czech Republic. More than 300,000 Czechs and Slovaks died in the camps of the Third Reich, and 200,000 Czechoslovak Jews were killed by the invaders.
The period of communism and the "Prague Spring"
On May 5, 1945, the Red Army liberated the Czech Republic from the German invaders. Shortly after the Second World War, the Czechoslovak Republic fell into the sphere of influence of the USSR. The democratic parties failed to resist the communists, who received 40% of the vote in the 1946 elections.
Among the numerous attempts to reform or improve the communist system was the famous "Prague Spring" (1969): in response to the attempt of the Czech communists, led by Alexander Dubcek, to build "socialism with a human face" the Warsaw Pact countries sent their troops to the territory of Czechoslovakia.
Regime change and the collapse of Czechoslovakia
Mass protests and demonstrations that swept the country in the late 80s of the twentieth century were called the "Velvet Revolution". It was followed by a general strike leading to regime change. The playwright and former dissident Vaclav Havel became the new president of Czechoslovakia.
On January 1, 1993, due to "insurmountable contradictions", the Czechoslovak state was peacefully divided into two independent Republics - the Czech Republic and Slovakia. These states have always adhered to different political courses: while Slovakia was guided by the policy of Moscow, the Czech Republic was equal to the European countries. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and became a member of the EU in 2004. On December 21, 2007, the Czech Republic joined the countries participating in the Schengen Agreement. This means that with a Czech visa you will be able to freely travel to the cities and towns of other European countries included in the above agreement. By train or by renting a car. The latter option, of course, is better, because it allows you to independently develop an interesting route option for you, change the scenario during the trip and generally feel free from any schedules and whims of strangers during your own vacation. It is best to ride around Germany and Austria, combining visits to large cities with small provincial ones - in order to fully experience the flavor of local life.
Tourism plays an important role in the economy, every year the Czechs earn more than 100 billion dollars from tourists. is 5.5% of the country's GDP. About 170,000 people are employed in tourism, although this figure is clearly underestimated, because it does not include bartenders and waiters, shop assistants, and all these establishments work both for tourism and for the local population.
The Czech Republic receives about 9 million visitors a year. According to statistics for 2016, German citizens are in the lead among travelers - 1,880,000. Tourists come from Slovakia (645,000), Poland (543,000), USA (511,000), Great Britain (470,000). The Russians in this list are in 6th place - 406,000 tourists in 2016.
The attendance of the Czech Republic by tourists from China is growing at a tremendous pace, South Korea, Japan. Do not be surprised if by 2020 in Prague you will see Chinese characters on shops and currency exchange offices.
What attracts tourists to the Czech Republic? What is the country proud of? What surprises visitors?
First, historical centuries-old monuments. Although not as long as the Greek, Chinese or Egyptian ones, there are a lot of monuments preserved here, and most of them are in excellent condition.
Having a thousand-year historical path behind it, the state is full of architecture of different styles and trends. These are more than 2 thousand castles, their ruins and palaces, among them the most popular are: Litomysl, Pardubice Castle, Jindrichuv Hradec, Zvyozdny summer palace, castle in Kroměříž, Wallenstein Palace, Kinsky Palace.
Religious monuments in the Czech Republic fascinate with their grandeur and unique architectural solutions. This is the Cathedral of St. Wenceslas in Olomouc, the Church of St. James the Elder, and many others, like pearls scattered throughout the country. There are 11 Catholic cathedrals in the country.
Medical tourism is another strength of the Czech tourism industry. The healing springs of Karlovy Vary are famous all over the world. It is believed that the resort was founded here by Emperor Charles IV in 1350. Other destinations: Poděbrady, Jáchymov, peloid springs in Bechyn and Trebon, sulphurous-ferrous peloid springs in Lazne-Touseni, natural warm and hot water in Teplice and a few others.
The Czech Republic is one of the European "Meccas" of gastronomic tourism. Beer tours are in particular demand, when tourists are taken to breweries and tastings. However, there are so many types of beer in the Czech Republic that even during the longest beer tour you won’t be able to taste all of them.
Gaining momentum ski vacation. Unfortunately, the country cannot boast high mountains, in this area it is difficult for the Czechs to compete with neighboring Austria and Switzerland. There are mountains in the Czech Republic - these are the Sudeten Mountains, the highest point of the country is Mount Snezhka (1602 meters). Some ski resorts are located in the hills of Moravia. The most developed ski resort in the country is now Pec pod Snezkou.
The tourist to whom the Czech Republic can refuse pleasure has not yet been born. Do you love history and architecture? You are in Prague, Brno, Olomouc, Turnov, Karlstejn, Cheb, České Budějovice and Liberec. Do you faint at the sight of landscapes in the style of Avatar? Go to the Šumava Nature Reserve or Czech Switzerland. Have you seen everything in this life and need it so that the jaw is to the floor? Then without options - the Moravian Karst, the Adrspach-Teplice rocks and the Krkonoše waterfalls. Are you looking for an inexpensive health resort or just want to relax with your children away from noisy Prague? At your service is the treasure of the Czech Republic - alum lake Kamentsovo, mineral springs in Karlovy Vary, pacifying lakes Mahovo and Lipno.
about the country
In 1993, in connection with the collapse of Czechoslovakia, a beauty appeared on the world map Czech Republic (Ceska republika) is the only country whose outlines you can see from space. The reason for this is the mountain ranges that form a dense ring around the republic and completely repeat its borders. Speaking of borders, the Czech Republic is adjacent to four states - Poland, Slovakia, Germany and Austria.
What every tourist needs to know about the Czech Republic:
capital - Prague;
total area - 78866 sq. km;
form of government - parliamentary republic;
communication language - Czech;
religion - more than half of the population considers themselves atheists, the religious majority professes Catholicism;
monetary unit - Czech crown (CZK, Kč);
Russian tourists enter on a Schengen visa for a period not exceeding 90 days in half a year.
Administrative division resembles a nesting doll. The country has 13 regions and the capital city of Prague. Each region is divided into districts. There are 77 of them in total. The latter, in turn, include 205 communities of the first level (with extended powers) and 393 communities of the second level.
Travelers, most often, are guided by three historical provinces: Bohemia with the center in Prague, Moravia with Brno and Czech Silesia with Ostrava.
Interesting facts about the Czech Republic:
Prague streets, Charles Bridge, Kutna Hora, Czech Switzerland, Usti nad Labem, Teplice are the living scenery of Hollywood. Iconic films such as Van Helsing, Casino Royale, The Chronicles of Narnia, Mission Impossible, The Pink Panther and Les Misérables were filmed here. 8 Oscar winner "Amadeus" was also filmed in Prague and South Moravia.
The Czech Republic showed the world many inventions, without which our life would be boring and monotonous. These are contact lenses, a lightning rod, nylon and a pencil. Yes, even the Russian harmonica was invented by the Czech Frantisek Kirsnik. However, the most surprising discovery was made by Jan Jansky. In 1907, he published the work "Hematologicka studie u psychotiku", in which he proposed the classification of blood into four groups: I, II, III, IV.
Czech is one of the purest Slavic languages, with almost no borrowings. The computer here is “pochitach”, the plane is “letadlo”, and the glue is “lepidlo”. Funny and unusual phrases for the Russian ear did not appear by chance. Until the end of the 19th century, 90% of the population spoke German. They wrote in German. Thought in German. The dying language was brought back from the past bit by bit, and many words were invented on the go. The Czech language fully revived only by 1918, when it began to be used in military affairs, science, literature, and state affairs.
Czechs do not speak Russian, but every second inhabitant speaks English.
For dessert: the most frugal workaholics live in the Czech Republic. There are no transfers of holidays and protracted New Year's festivities here. If the red date of the calendar falls on a Thursday, everyone will return to work on Friday. And the Christmas holidays are the shortest in Central Europe - December 24, 25, 26. Spending money on the show is bad manners. Modest but comfortable clothes, an ordinary apartment, a democratic car are attributes of a well-to-do native. What no Czech can deny himself is food, entertainment and travel: holidays in the Caribbean or Bali twice a year and family holidays in a big way.
Last changes: 06.10.2019Climate
According to Wikipedia, the climate of the Czech Republic is continental-oceanic. That is, unpredictable.
That's just not the case at all. You can guess the weather with your eyes closed and without weather forecasts. The same mountain ranges that protect the Czech Republic from sudden surprises of nature help to maintain stability.
Summer is hot, moderately humid and windless (+25, +28 Celsius). Ideal for holidays on the Czech lakes or in Karlovy Vary. It is better to go to Prague in autumn or spring, when the heat subsides, the air fills with freshness from the shores of the Adriatic, and the streets are full of colorful paints. In September, the daily temperature stays at + 20, + 22 degrees, in October it drops to + 12. Everything is still warm and windless.
In May, the sun is already starting to bake (+ 27), so it is better for weather-dependent people to choose blooming April (+ 20) for tourist walks.
Winter is mild and slushy. Snow falls in all regions of the country, but lingers only in the mountains. The average temperature in January ranges from zero to minus 8 degrees.
Last changes: 06.10.2019What to see in the Czech Republic
Where does the Czech Republic begin? That's right, in Prague!
This toy city seems to be frozen in time and space. Horse-drawn carriages have long been replaced by electric cars. Ladies no longer straighten the hem of a wide skirt. But the atmosphere of medieval Europe still tightly squeezes Prague in its arms.
Must see in Prague
First of all, go to Prague Castle. It is a monument of architecture, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, home of the Holy Roman Empire and the Czech Crown, the largest active presidential residence on planet Earth. Look into the eyes of the terribly beautiful gargoyles of St. Vitus Cathedral. Wander around the Golden Lane and be sure to take a selfie at one of the best viewing platforms in Prague opposite the Black Tower (coordinates 50.091676, 14.405735). Entrance to the territory of Prague Castle is free. Only excursions and entrance to museums are paid.
From here you can go to Petrin Hill or Lesser Town Square, where the Plague Pillar is installed. Or go along the Charles Bridge to the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Tyn Church and the Prague Astronomical Clock (which, for a second, are as much as 600 years old).
For skeptics and fans of everything unusual, we advise you to start with the Prague Metronome. Then take tram 15. Drive to Lesser Town Square. Walk along the Vltava to the Franz Kafka Museum. In the courtyard of the museum, you will find a gingerbread man shop and the best political satire of our time, the David Cerna Fountain. Two healthy men relieve themselves on the map of the Czech Republic.
10 minutes walk and you are at the wall of John Lennon, from where the KGB Museum and the Museum of Magic are within easy reach.
You can complete an unusual tour on Hradcany Square with a gas lantern, Schwarzenberg and Tuscan palaces.
Do not forget to buy flowers in the shop, and pay tribute to the Soviet soldier Belyakov. His grave is hidden between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prague Loreta, opposite the beer house "At the Black Ox". Burial coordinates 50.088420, 14.391686.
With children, be sure to go to the Prague Zoo. He's just huge. For comparison, these are 2 Moscow zoos.
On 50 hectares there is a children's play area, an elephant pasture, a pavilion with a real jungle, terrariums, a predatory cat zone, a salamandrium, mini-bogs, a geological path. Ticket price for an adult is 200 CZK. Children from 3 to 15, students and pensioners - 150 kroons, children under 3 years free. Tickets are purchased at the ticket office on site. The official website of the zoo https://www.zoopraha.cz/en.
Life hack: Sightseeing in Prague is not cheap. Many travelers buy the Prague Card to save money and see more on a smaller budget. The price of the card for 2 days is 62 euros for adults, 46 for children. The price includes entrance to Prague Castle, more than 60 attractions and entertainment, discounts of up to 50% on museum entrances and a tourist bus.
Other things to do in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is the dream of a tourist with limited time.
The state is very compact: 3 hours to the East and you are in Brno, the same amount to the South - in Cesky Krumlov, to Karlovy Vary 2 and a half hours. And all these are different parts of the republic.
Of course, you won’t travel around the Czech Republic in a week, but the coolest places fit into our concept:
Improve your health at Czech springs. Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne are legendary resorts. Peter I, Chopin and Goethe, Beethoven and Freud, Paganini and Mozart improved their health here. The resort community received its fame quite deservedly. Mineral springs have the same composition, but different temperatures, due to which almost all ailments are treated here.
Relax on Kamentsovo Lake. There is no sea in the Czech Republic. But there is an incredibly beautiful and unique Kamentsovo Lake in Khomutov. According to the composition of the water, the lake has no analogues in nature, although 10 years ago Kamentsovo had a competitor in Canada. Unfortunately, the reservoir has not stood the test of time. Dried up. Today, all-seeing Germans and Scandinavians have chosen Kamentsovo, thus replacing a vacation at the Dead Sea. By the way, the lake never blooms. In any weather and at any temperature, it remains clean.
Makhovo Lake and Lipno are the rising stars of lakeside tourism in the Czech Republic. The water here is completely normal. Unusual nature. Lipno is located in the Šumava Reserve, 20 km from Český Krumlov. Mahovo - in Doksy near the Kokorzhinsky reserve and the Bezdez castle.
Go down to the bones. Ancient burials in the form of open ossuaries are scattered throughout the country. Brno has a whole system of dungeons: the ossuary in the Church of St. Jacek (the second largest in Europe after Paris), the catacombs under the Vegetable Market and the tomb of the Capuchins. Not far from Kutná Hora, in the settlement of Sedlec, you will find the cemetery church of All Saints, where 40,000 people found peace.
Lose the power of speech at the sight of natural wealth. The Czech Republic has something to be proud of, except for Prague and castle complexes. This is the Panchava waterfall in the Giant Mountains. And the rocky city of Adrspach with an azure lake, caves, canyons and labyrinths of incredible beauty. And what about the mysterious Czech Switzerland? Or maybe better in the caves of the Moravian Karst, which destroy the laws of the universe with rocks growing parallel to the surface of the earth?
Find the entrance to the underworld in Houska Castle or the ghosts in Karlštejn Castle. Found already? Then forward for new adventures - look for the Devil's head. Hint: the sculpture is carved into the rocks (and it's not Adrspach).
Do Pilsner, Kozel and Gambrinus say anything to you? If yes, then go to Pilsen for a tasting. After all, it was here that the noble beer aroma first spilled. You will be shown and told all the secrets of brewing. They will lead a tour and treat you with unfiltered beer straight from the oak barrel where it matures. The official website of the Pilsner Museum is prazdrojvisit.cz/prohlidky.
Ski lovers should definitely visit the slopes of Mount Snezhka at least once. For example, in the Pec. 11 ski slopes at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level, and climatic conditions are as close as possible to the cold Arctic.
Get ready for the fact that you will leave the Czech Republic with a couple of extra pounds, because there is very tasty national cuisine. Be sure to try the pork knuckle in beer (boar's knee), tatarak, dumplings, drowners, strudel, trdelniki, Becherovka and, of course, beer.
The most unusual museums in Prague
Last changes: 06.10.2019How to get to the Czech Republic
There are about 90 airports in the Czech Republic, which is more than enough for a territory comparable to the Krasnodar Territory.
The largest of them are Prague Vaclav Havel Airport website https://www.prg.aero/#/, Brno-Turany website http://www.brno-airport.cz/ and Karlovy Vary Airport https://www.airport -k-vary.cz/en/ .
Aeroflot, Ural Airlines, Czech Airlines, Smart Wings, Pobeda and others fly from Russia to the Czech Republic. Average ticket price from Moscow:
100 euros to Prague (flights with transfers are possible);
70 € to Karlovy Vary;
140 € in Brno.
Travel time for direct flight to Prague about 2 hours, on docking routes it can take up to 10 hours.
You can get to the Czech Republic by rail and by bus, but the ticket price is comparable to the flight. So a train ticket from Moscow to Prague will cost you 200 €, and you will spend a little more than a day on the way. 38-hour trip by ecolines bus with a transfer in Riga - from 6000 rubles.
Last changes: 06.10.2019Public transport
You can move around the country both by trains and by buses.
Carriers:
-
Whole public transport Czech Republic with timetables and routes https://idos.idnes.cz/vlakyautobusymhdvse/spojeni/.
Last changes: 06.10.2019Traveling in the Czech Republic by car
If you are planning to travel around the Czech Republic by car, be sure to put your driving license, vehicle registration certificate and green insurance in your wallet. The latter can be bought right at the border.
On a note:
speed in locality no more than 50 km/h;
both day and night, turn on the dipped headlights;
sacred trams - we pass without hesitation, like pedestrians;
We put children in a car seat or booster.
Most of the motorways in the Czech Republic are tolled. To drive on such roads, you need a vignette, which you can buy at any gas station. This must be done before entering paid section. Otherwise, a fine of 200 euros. The cost of a vignette for 10 days is 11 euros, for 1 month 17.
It is easier and cheaper to rent a car on rentalcars.com or on myrentacar.com. In the first case, you will have to block the franchise and the deposit, in the second case, there is a chance to take a car without extra collateral.
Last changes: 06.10.2019You can buy a SIM card of any of the Czech operators in large stores and mobile phone stores without presenting a passport. Vodafone card with 4 GB package costs 399 CZK.
When exchanging currency in a supermarket, be aware that if you are “cheated”, you have the right to refuse the transaction. Yes, yes, return with a check and refuse the transaction.
In any hypermarket, you can easily issue Tax-Free. To do this, contact the information desk on the ground floor with a receipt and goods. Fill out the form and also provide your passport. Take away the papers and do not violate the integrity of the packaging of the transported goods. It is also not recommended to tear off the labels.
Czech establishments work strictly by the hour. Without five minutes before the closing of the store, it is pointless to run into it. You will not be served.
Pay attention to the marking line in Prague when you park. The blue stripe is only for local residents, alas, you cannot leave your iron friend.
Check your bills at restaurants. They like to write extra dishes and tips. Remember, tipping is voluntary.
It is easier to get acquainted with Czech culture and traditions by communicating with the locals. Just a couple of phrases will instantly win over any person:
Hammer in contacts 112 emergency, 155 ambulance, 150 firefighters, 158 police.
Last changes: 06.10.2019The Czech Republic is one of the most interesting tourist centers in Europe. The average income from tourism here reaches 5.5% of GDP, and no wonder - in a relatively small area there is a huge number of cultural and historical monuments of different eras.
From time immemorial, the country lay at the crossroads of trade routes, which allowed it to absorb a great many unique traditions, brightness and unusual music schools.
Amazing nature and mild continental climate allow you to find thousands of opportunities for an unforgettable vacation here.
Capital
Prague
Population
10 532 770 people
Population density
133 people/km²
Religion
Catholicism
Form of government
parliamentary republic
Czech crown
Timezone
UTC+1, summer UTC+2
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity
220V. European type sockets, adapter required.
Climate and weather
As in any other country located in the center of Europe, the climate in the Czech Republic is temperate. Light frosts are possible only in winter. Little snow falls, which will serve as a guarantee of the absence of slush in the off-season. However, in the mountains there will be plenty of snowdrifts for winter sports - snow lies in ski resorts for about six months. Summers in the Czech Republic are usually warm.
Nature
The nature of the Czech Republic will easily surprise even the most experienced tourist with its incredible diversity. The borders of the country are represented by a chain of impenetrable mountain ranges. Traveling deep into the Czech Republic, one can observe mountain passes of unique beauty, replaced by vineyards, and endless meadows with crystal lakes. In short, the Czech Republic is ideal for lovers of sweet romance.
Attractions
The sights of the Czech Republic are really diverse. It is not surprising that it is among the ten most visited countries in the world. It has everything that the soul of an inquisitive tourist can aspire to: ancient cities with memorable architecture, magnificent nature, nature reserves and unique healing springs ... It is pointless to list all the sights of this country - it can take several days. Let's try to briefly dwell on the most popular.
Prague. The capital of the Czech Republic has every right to be called the main attraction of this country, because it is the most beautiful city in the world. " Old city» is the most attractive sector of the capital for tourists. It is in it that most of the attractions are located, the most popular of which are:
- Prague Castle,
- jewish quarter,
- golden duck,
- St. Vitus Cathedral,
- astronomical clock in the town hall.
Kutna Hora is another city on the must-see list. When locals say "Kutná Hora", they first of all mean Church of All Saints. In this peculiar church, the symbol of the city, the remains of about 40 thousand people have been preserved.
When choosing a tour to this country, do not forget about Brno! This is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the main attraction of which is Church of St. John. This ancient building is remarkable in that it houses an old, but still noteworthy organ. And the painted ceilings of the church are still its unique feature. In addition to the above church, it is worth visiting the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, Capuchin Square, the Old Town Hall and Spielberg.
Karlovy Vary- a world-famous spa, where for many centuries the entire Czech nobility improved their health. Two large factories are also located here - Jan Becher and Krusovice. Is it worth introducing the drinks they produce - Karlovska Becherovka and the delicious beer Krusovice?
Nutrition
There is something to try in the Czech Republic! Czech cuisine is really hearty and very varied. In a whole network of restaurants nestled along Prague's cobbled streets, you are sure to find a dish that will suit your taste. These are various varieties of fried meat, and fragrant sausages, and liver pates that melt in your mouth ... The Czech menu includes baked fish and juicy vegetable salads. Does it make sense to talk about the famous Czech beer? This national intoxicating drink should be singled out in order to reveal this topic as much as possible.
Accommodation
Like any other country open to tourists, the Czech Republic can offer a huge selection of a wide variety of hotels. Starting from the heart of the country, Prague, and to the very borders, a whole network stretches hotels, hotel complexes, as well as villas and apartments suitable for rent. By the way, rental accommodation is considered the most acceptable for tourists. Many travel companies offer a wide range of services for booking both small provincial houses and luxury apartments in the center of the capital. Walls steeped in history will tell you more than neat, freshly painted and well-groomed hotel rooms.
Entertainment and recreation
Agritourism. This type of entertainment was born relatively recently, but has already gained enviable popularity among sophisticated and not very tourists. In the Czech Republic, only foreigners adhere to the strategy of rest on farms, among which houses in the border area with Austria and Germany are more in demand.
By the way, Czech farmers make every effort to make such a holiday as comfortable and interesting as possible. Fishing, camping, hiking or horse riding... There are even luxury farms equipped with tennis courts, their own golf courses and other entertainment unusual for the province.
Water tourism. The Czech Republic can also offer excellent water recreation. Rich in deep crystal clear lakes, it will allow you to go yachting, boating, rafting, canoeing, water skiing and even plunge into the world of windsurfing. In addition, the Czech Republic is a true paradise for lovers of fishing. There are enough rivers and lakes on the territory of the country, ideal for professional fishing.
Children's rest. The Prague Zoo is the most popular among the youngest tourists. The institution is located in one of the most prestigious districts of Prague - in Three. Here, wildlife lovers will be able to observe exotic animals for this area. Elephants and hippos, tigers and cheetahs, harbor seals and giant tortoises, giraffes and other equally amazing species are displayed behind an ornate fence. Prague Zoo.
Winter recreation is a real pearl in the sea of what tour operators can offer you here. The Czech Republic has an amazing number of sports centers that can give you the opportunity to try your hand at skiing and snowboarding. The most popular ski resorts in the Czech Republic today are Spindleruv, Giant Mountains, Harrachov and Mlyn.
Purchases
Going to the Czech Republic, do not forget to calculate the budget for shopping trips. This truly amazing country can offer you a truly wide selection of high-end boutiques and branded clothing stores. Fans of "wild" shopping will appreciate the whole network of discounters with European perfumes and cosmetics. In addition, the country still has small and cozy shops, coffee houses and bakeries that attract with national flavor.
Traditional souvenirs for tourists are considered to be bohemian crystal, lace, beer mugs, embroidered clothes.
Transport
The most affordable and easiest way to get to the right place here is to take an international or long-distance bus and get on the road. However, it should be noted that European public transport is expensive. By the way, a bus trip from Prague to Brno will cost 5.4 € and take no more than two hours. Same route by train costs a little more - 6.2 € and takes more time - from three hours.
You can book a ticket for a bus or train via the Internet on specialized sites.
Taxi in the Czech Republic are free, from 5 € per 1 km and another 10 € the taxi driver will take for landing.
Connection
Mobile communication in the Czech Republic is no less accessible than in the CIS countries. Optimal for tourists will be cooperation with a mobile operator Vodafone. You can buy a SIM card with a balance of 200 crowns for about 8 € at any newsstand.
It should be noted that other operators offer a wider range of services and provide a better service, but have a fairly aggressive price.
Security
Any, especially novice tourists, should pay attention that money, valuables and documents should be kept in a hotel safe or in a proper bank branch. Despite the fact that the Czech Republic is a safe country, cases of robbery are still possible in it. As a rule, gypsies and laborers trade in such illegal business. In order to protect yourself from such precedents, avoid night walks in the gypsy quarters, and carry photocopies of securities and documents with you.
Recall that the availability of medical and property insurance is mandatory for every tourist entering the country.
Business climate
Modern economic policy in the EU countries involves state intervention in the market environment. It is believed that this contributes to the economic growth of the country. The conditions for business development in the Czech Republic are quite favorable. the government is pursuing a quite adequate policy that does not prevent the emergence of entrepreneurship. One of the most attractive advantages for Czech businessmen is a minimum of bureaucracy. Tax cuts for growing small business owners are another undeniable advantage in this market segment.
The property
Real estate in the Czech Republic has become quite attractive for permanent investment. By the way, the cost of a new well-equipped two-room apartment near the center of Prague ranges from 55 to 130 thousand €. Provincial real estate costs a little less, by about 5 thousand €. It is noteworthy that utility bills in the Czech Republic are cheaper than in the CIS countries.
- When buying expensive souvenirs, keep receipts that you will need when crossing the border to prove that you are not exporting antiques.
- The good news is that when you buy more than 100 € in Tax-free Shopping supermarkets, you can get back up to 22% of the amount spent.
- Tipping in the Czech Republic is usually generous - from 10% of the total amount.
Visa Information
The Czech Republic is part of the Schengen countries. If there is a valid Schengen visa on the pages of your passport, you can cross the borders of the country without any obstacles by any type of transport.
Visas to the Czech Republic are divided into three main types: transit, long-term and short-term. A transit visa is issued to people whose purpose is to visit a certain country, which can only be reached through the territory of the Czech Republic. A long-term visa will be required if your task is to stay in the country for a long time. A short-stay visa is the best option for tourist trips.
The package of documents for issuing a visa is standard, however, its submission is carried out only by appointment. The term for issuing a visa is about five working days.
The Embassy of the Czech Republic can be found at: 123056, Moscow, st. Yu.Fuchik, 12/14.
