Useful information for tourists about the Czech Republic, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of the Czech Republic, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions of the Czech Republic.
Geography of the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a state in Central Europe. It borders Poland, Germany, Austria and Slovakia. The country's landscape is dominated by hills and low mountains - the Bohemian Massif, bordered by the Šumava ridges, the Bohemian Forest, the Giant Mountains and the Bohemian-Moravian Upland. The largest river is the Vltava, 440 km long.
State
State structure
Democratic Republic. The head of state is the president. The legislative body is a bicameral parliament (Senate and Chamber of Deputies).
Language
Official language: Czech
Common languages are German, English, French and Russian.
Religion
Catholics (39%), Protestants (5%), Orthodox (3%), atheists and others.
Currency
International name: CZK
The Czech crown is equal to 100 hellers. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 5000 kroner and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 kroner, as well as 50, 20 and 10 hellers. The import of goods worth no more than 3,000 crowns is allowed.
Private exchange offices charge commissions of up to 10%. In hotels, the commission rate is reduced to 5%. In banks, the commission rate is 2%. When exchanging currency at central exchange points, you will need a passport, which will be used to issue a receipt necessary for exchanging currency back when leaving the country.
Euro checks and credit cards are accepted for payment in banks, hotels, large stores and restaurants. There are a lot of ATMs in cities where you can get Czech crowns using credit cards at any time. Travel checks can be cashed at major tourist centers and at most banks.
History of the Czech Republic
In the 9th century, the Czechs converted to Christianity and founded the Kingdom of Bohemia around 900. In the second half of the 14th century, Bohemia reached its peak under King Charles 1 (aka Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV). At the beginning of the 15th century, the state was rocked by the “Hussite Wars,” whose leader, Jan Hus, fought both against the Catholic Church and against German dominance in government. However, the Hussites were defeated, and in 1620 Bohemia and Moravia were declared provinces of the Habsburg Empire.
The First World War gave impetus to the national liberation movement and after the war, on October 18, 1918, the Republic of Czechoslovakia was proclaimed in Prague. During the interwar period, Czechoslovakia became one of the most developed countries in Eastern Europe. In 1938, Germany occupied the Sudetenland and later Bohemia and Moravia, declaring them a German protectorate.
In 1945, Czechoslovakia was restored to its original borders (except for the eastern region of Ruthenia, which was annexed by the Soviet Union). In 1990, the country was renamed the Czech and Slovak Federative Republic, but even then the trends towards the separation of the country intensified and on January 1, 1993, the Czech Republic and Slovakia became independent states. The Czech Republic is a member of the UN, GATT, WHO, and an associate member of the EU.
In the 9th century, the Czechs converted to Christianity and founded the Kingdom of Bohemia around 900. In the second half of the 14th century, Bohemia reached its peak under King Charles 1 (aka Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV). At the beginning of the 15th century, the state was rocked by the “Hussite Wars,” whose leader, Jan Hus, fought both against the Catholic Church and against German dominance in government. However, the Hussites were defeated, and in 1620 Bohemia and Moravia were declared provinces of the Habsburg Empire....
Popular attractions
Tourism in the Czech Republic
Where to stay
The Czech Republic attracts tourists from all over the world with its famous balneological resorts, ancient cities, some of which are considered the most beautiful and romantic in the world, as well as good service in hotels. In this country you can find accommodation to suit every taste.
The classification of hotels here is the same as in other European countries - from one to five stars. The hotel's rank must be confirmed every four years, so you can be sure that the service and star rating are consistent. In addition, each hotel also has a corresponding designation indicating the type of accommodation - hotel, boarding house, etc.
In the Czech Republic you will find fashionable hotels of one of the world chains (Marriott, Hilton, Ibis), and hotels located in ancient castles and palaces, and private boarding houses, and hostels, and youth hotels. The cost of living depends both on the level of services provided and on the location relative to historical monuments and the city center.
Students and those tourists who prefer a budget holiday option can stay in a boarding house or guest house. Here you will be offered a comfortable stay - cozy, clean, no-frills rooms, a private bathroom, and breakfast. In addition, you can rent an apartment or stay in a private house. In the Czech Republic, during the summer holidays you can stay in one of the student dormitories. Less comfortable, but also the cheapest rooms are in former workers' dormitories with a shared bathroom.
There are about 200 modern and well-equipped campsites in the Czech Republic. Here you can spend the night in a tent or house, use running water, electricity, and laundry services. On the territory of some there are also bars and shops.
For those who prefer unity with nature and a leisurely family holiday, accommodation is offered on one of the many farms, historical estates, and converted mills.
Popular hotels
Excursions and attractions in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. This is a country with a rich, centuries-old history, ancient traditions and many interesting sights. Here you will find charming medieval towns, beautiful ancient castles, magnificent natural landscapes, world-famous mineral springs and, of course, traditional Czech cuisine and beer.
The heart of the country, its pearl and a favorite place for tourists, is, of course, its capital - the unusually beautiful city of Prague, spread out on picturesque hills on the banks of the Vltava River. Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, which it is simply impossible not to fall in love with at first sight. It seems that time has no power over this magical city... Its narrow cobbled streets, where the spirit of medieval Prague is so keenly felt, unique architectural structures that perfectly illustrate the culture and history of the city, as well as the warmth and hospitality of the local residents attract a huge number of tourists from all over the world. peace. The main historical and architectural attraction of Prague is rightfully considered the majestic Prague Castle and, located on its territory, St. Vitus Cathedral - one of the best examples of the Gothic style in Europe. It is definitely worth visiting the Tyn Church, Charles Bridge, the Old Town Hall on the square of the same name, Vysehrad, the Old Royal Palace, the Strahov Monastery, the Loreta Monastery, Wenceslas Square, the National Museum and a walk along the famous Golden Street (Golden Street). No less interesting are Troy Castle, the Royal Belvedere Summer Palace, the Anege Monastery, the Basilica of St. George, the Maisel Synagogue, the Dancing House and the Prague Zoo (one of the largest in Europe). However, it is impossible to list all the sights of Prague, but they are definitely worth seeing with your own eyes.
In the vicinity of the capital, the most interesting places are the Gothic Imperial Castle Karlstejn, located in a surprisingly picturesque place on a huge rock above the Berounka River, the hunting castle of the Czech kings Křivoklát, Konopiste Castle and the beautiful medieval town of Kutna Hora with a lot of attractions and its main shrine - the Holy Cathedral Barbarians. On the outskirts of Kutna Hora in the town of Sedlec, it is worth visiting the Chapel of All Saints or the so-called “Kostinica”, the impressive and somewhat frightening interior of which is made of human bones. Not far from Prague (just 65 km) is located one of the most picturesque places in the Czech Republic - Macha Lake.
The Czech Republic is famous for its huge number of beautiful ancient castles. Among the most famous and impressive masterpieces of medieval architecture (besides those mentioned above) it is worth noting the castles Orlik, Český Sternberg, Hluboka nad Vltavou Castle, Zvikov, Detenice, Špilberk, Melnik, Kost, Sychrov, Žleby, Dobříš Palace and Krumlov Castle. Of particular interest are also Lednice Castle and Feldsberg Palace, united into a single “Cultural Complex of Lednice-Valdice” - a masterpiece of park design of enormous size (included in the UNESCO World Heritage List).
The most famous resort in the Czech Republic is, of course, Karlovy Vary. The healing properties of the hot mineral springs of this resort have been legendary for centuries. In addition, it is a very beautiful and green city. The balneological resort of Teplice (one of the oldest resorts in the Czech Republic), as well as the resorts of Marianske Lazne, Frantiskovy Lazne, Jachimov, Bechyne, Jesenik, Podebrady, Luhacovice, etc., are also especially popular. Fans of winter sports should visit Harrachov, Spindleruv Mlýn and Pec pod Snezkou.
You will find a lot of interesting sights in such beautiful Czech cities as Brno, Pilsen, Pardubice, Olomouc, Tabor and Liberec. Particularly popular among nature lovers are the Bohemian Paradise reserves (on its territory there are the ruins of the Trosky fortress and the Kost Castle), Czech Switzerland and the Moravian Karst.
Tips
In restaurants, tips do not exceed 10% of the total cost of the order. So much for the taxi driver and guide.
Visa
Office hours
Grocery stores are open from 6 am. Department stores are open from 9 to 18 hours on weekdays, and on Saturdays until 13 hours. Banks are open on weekdays from 9 to 14-18 hours. Exchange offices are open until 18-20 hours, some work around the clock.
Museums and historical sites are closed to visitors on Mondays and the day following holidays. Most finish work at 18:00, ticket sales stop an hour before closing. The Jewish Museum in Prague is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Purchases
It is possible to recover VAT, which is 25% on most consumer goods (for services, gasoline and food products - 5%).
It is possible to receive a discount on purchased goods in the amount of VAT (up to 22%) if purchased from one seller within one day in the amount of 2.5 thousand crowns. The tourist must personally export the purchased goods abroad to the Czech Republic no later than 60 days from the date of purchase, having received a confirmation mark on the document form attached to the sales receipt. The right to a VAT refund is valid for 3 months, starting from the end of the calendar month in which the purchase was made. The quantity of goods should not exceed personal needs, and the goods themselves should be intended exclusively for personal consumption. VAT refunds are not issued for food products, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, gasoline, etc.
Souvenirs
Tourists bring from the Czech Republic: alcoholic drinks, beer and beer glasses, the famous Becherovka and Slivovitz liqueurs, absinthe; Czech waffles with different fillings; Bohemian crystal (vases, glasses, chandeliers); jewelry made of silver and garnet. The most unusual souvenir from Karlovy Vary is the salt rose. It is lowered into the spring, and, saturated with salts, it petrifies. You can also buy jars of aromatic bath salts.
It is better to make purchases in stores and keep the sales receipt until you go through customs control.
Emergency numbers
Police - 156
Ambulance - 155
Fire protection - 150
National characteristics of the Czech Republic. Traditions
In the Czech Republic, starting from January 1, 2006, it is prohibited to smoke at bus stops, as well as in public premises, unless they are equipped with isolated areas for smokers. Violators of the ban face a fine of 1,000 crowns ($41.90).
Questions and feedback about the Czech Republic
Karlovy Vary - Questions and Answers
Jáchymov - Questions and Answers
Question answer
Question answer
Cesky Krumlov - Questions and Answers
If until now you thought that the Czech Republic and the Czech Republic were one and the same, you were wrong. A little, but they were wrong. The Czech Republic did not have an official abbreviated name, and it could only be called by one familiar word to us only unofficially. But soon it will be possible to legally call the country the Czech Republic (in English Czechia, in German Tschechien, in French Tchequie).
The most difficult thing was to come to an agreement within the country. Because historically the Czech Republic (Bohemia) is only part of the territory on which the Czech Republic is located today. It also includes other historical regions - Moravia and Silesia, which do not like the fact that the entire country will be called by the name of only one region. And so they argued for a long time. Experts say that the word “Czech Republic” is a neologism: in Latin it first appears in 1634, which is late in European history. In English even later - in 1861. But the current President of the Czech Republic, Milos Zeman, speaking in English, uses the name quite actively. While visiting Israel in 2013, he explained to his colleague Shimon Peres: “I use the name “Czech Republic” because it sounds better and shorter than the cold “Czech Republic.”
Another weighty argument against is the similarity in the sound of the Czech Republic and Chechnya: Czechia and Chechnya. Members of the Czechia Civic Initiative (it was founded in 1997 precisely to support the abbreviated name of the country) answer this simply: if someone does not know geography, this does not mean that we should follow their lead. Although there is a more serious argument: Chechnya is not an independent state and a member of the UN. Nevertheless, the Minister of Regional Development, Karla Šlechtová, has already expressed disagreement with the “Czech Republic”: “I don’t want people to confuse my country with Chechnya.”
Disputes about “Czech Republic” as an abbreviated name for the country have been going on since 1993. “As soon as we agree on this within the state, we will send our demand to the UN so that a change is made to the relevant database. Then the only correct abbreviated translation will be the word Czechia,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Lubomir Zaoralek, explained the situation on the eve of a meeting of the country’s top leadership, which took place on April 14 in Prague. The application has been sent.
The fact is that for the UN database, each state, along with its official name, can offer an abbreviated geographical version (Russian Federation - Russia, Germany - Germany, French Republic - France). Until now, the only name indicated in the database was “Czech Republic”, but there was no more practical “Czech Republic”. Therefore, for example, on the jerseys of hockey players (and everything related to hockey is taken extremely seriously in the Czech Republic) they wrote “Czech”, which translated from English means “Czech” and cannot be considered the name of the country.
“I assume that then the signs at conferences will be corrected accordingly, as well as the patches on the tracksuits of our athletes, because, as a rule, the full name of the state is not placed on the clothes of athletes,” says the Czech Foreign Minister. And rightly so: the Olympics are coming soon, time to sew costumes.
The history of the Czech Republic begins in the 4th century BC, when the first historical inhabitants appeared on its territory - the Boian Celts, from whose name the country received its name - Bohemia. Around the middle of the 1st century BC. Bohemia began to be populated by the Marcomanni - ancient Germanic tribes who ousted the Celtic tribes from these lands. Marobod, who stood at the head of the Germanic tribes and eventually united all the East German lands that inhabited a large area from the middle Danube to the lower Vistula, founded the first state. This state did not last long - internecine wars between tribes and the rivalry of their leaders had an impact.
The Germanic tribes were replaced by the Huns, and then the Slavs. In the center of the country lived one of the most powerful tribes - the Czechs, under whose rule other tribes were united. This is how a union of Czech Slavs was created, which was able to defend their lands. Over time, neighboring Slavic peoples joined the union.
Uniting peoples and creating a state
During the period from 830 to 907 AD, there was a gradual unification of the Czech Slavs and neighboring Slavic peoples. As a result of this unification, the Great Moravian Empire was created, which included Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, parts of modern Slovakia, Poland and Germany.
During this period (863), Christianity became widespread, the preachers of which were two monks who arrived from Byzantium and were subsequently canonized - Methodius and Cyril.
They conducted services in the Slavic language, and also taught the Slavic population to read and write.
The Great Moravian kingdom did not last long; it collapsed at the beginning of the 10th century, unable to withstand the onslaught of the Hungarians. And only at the beginning of the 14th century the country again became united thanks to the efforts of the Přemyslid princes.
Přemyslid Dynasty
The history of the Czech Republic from 872 to 1306 is marked by the period of rule of the first Czech princely dynasty - the Přemyslids.
Prince Wenceslas, who was one of the founders of the dynasty and sought to improve relations with Germany, was killed in 935 by his brother Boleslav I. For 14 years, Boleslav I fought with the Germans, but, in the end, he was forced to admit dependence on the German state in 950
During the reign of Boleslav I, Moravia and part of the Polish lands located in the upper reaches of the Elbe and Oder rivers were annexed to the Czech Republic.
Under Boleslav II, a bishopric was founded in Prague in 973, and Vratislav II became the first crowned king of the Czech Republic in 1086. This royal title was bestowed upon him in 1085 by Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor.
During the beginning of the reign of Přemysl Otakar I, different lines of the Přemyslid dynasty waged internecine wars among themselves for power, of which Otakar I emerged victorious. He established peace, strengthened central power and weakened the political independence of the major nobility.
For his support of Frederick II of Hohenstaufen in the struggle for the crown of the Holy Roman Empire, Otakar I received from him in 1212 the Golden Sicilian Bull, a document that confirmed the hereditary right to the Czech royal throne without any conditions or tribute, as well as the integrity of the state and its borders . Czech kings also received the right to participate in the election of the Holy Roman Emperor.
Under Otakar I, cities actively developed, the Czech kingdom received international recognition, and bishops and clergy received significant privileges and rights.
In the 13th century, the Czech Republic became one of the most powerful states within the Holy Roman Empire; Germans began to actively populate its territory.
In the second half of the 13th century, during the reign of Přemysl Otakar II, Austria and the duchies of Styria and Carinthia were annexed to the Czech lands. However, his claims to the German crown and throne led to the death of Otakar II in 1278 during the Battle of the Moravian Field.
After the death of Otakar II, his son Vaclav II ascended the throne, who was able to strengthen power through a number of active measures and pursued an active foreign policy. After his premature death, his son Wenceslas III ascended the throne, but was soon killed under mysterious circumstances. With his death, the Přemyslid dynasty ceased to exist in 1306.
Luxembourg board
The history of the Czech Republic from 1306 to 1310 is marked by a period of four years of struggle for the Czech throne, which ended with the ascension to the throne of John of Luxembourg, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Wenceslas II. During the reign of John of Luxembourg, the power and borders of the Czech kingdom increased significantly, due to the annexation of Cheb and a large part of Silesia. During the reign of John in 1338, the Old Town Hall was erected.
In 1346, John's son, Charles IV, ascended the Czech throne. The reign of Charles IV (1346 - 1378) is rightly called the “Golden Age” of the Czech Republic. Under him, the first university in Prague was created, construction of the Cathedral of St. Vita, numerous churches and monasteries were erected, as well as the Karlštejn Castle and the bridge in Prague (Charles Bridge). Charles IV founded the New Town of Prague and the famous resort of Karlovy Vary.
Charles IV was the first Czech king to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1355, with Prague as its capital.
During the reign of Charles IV, winemaking, textile and agricultural production developed, the borders of the Czech kingdom were expanded by annexing part of the lands of Germany and Poland.
Charles IV actively supported the clergy, who, during his reign, accumulated enormous wealth and received privileges. This circumstance caused discontent among the population.
At the same time, the free lands were actively populated by German colonists, creating their own cities and villages and living according to their own established laws.
After the death of Charles IV in 1378, the throne was inherited by his son, Wenceslas IV, who was constantly in conflict with the clergy and representatives of the Czech aristocracy. Conflicts that arose on national and religious grounds led to the emergence of a reformist religious movement in the country.
Hussite movement
The leader of the reform religious movement was the priest Jan Hus. In his sermons, he demanded reform of the church, calling for the deprivation of its property, denounced the morals and corruption of the clergy, and also spoke out against German dominance in the country.
Jan Hus was excommunicated from the church, and on July 6, 1415, accused of heresy, he was sentenced to be burned by the decision of the Council of Constance.
Four years after the execution of Jan Hus, anti-German riots that began in Prague served as the beginning of the Hussite Wars, which engulfed the Czech Republic and lasted for 15 long years (1419 - 1434). The Hussite wars left a deep mark on the history of the Czech Republic - the country, preoccupied with its religious problems, was cut off from pan-European cultural development for a long time.
Habsburg rule
In 1526, Ferdinand I of Habsburg ascended the Czech throne, the first representative of the Habsburg dynasty, which ruled the country for 400 years, until 1918.
One of the most prominent rulers of the Habsburg dynasty is Rudolf II, who left a noticeable mark on the history of the country. He was a very extraordinary person: he patronized science and art, and was fond of astrology and astronomy. Famous artists, poets, musicians, astronomers and alchemists gathered at the royal court at that time. Prague, which he made his royal residence, was at that time the center of alchemical science.
In 1611, under pressure from his relatives, Rudolf II, who at that time was sick and exhausted, was forced to abdicate the throne in favor of his brother Matthias, who pursued a tough policy towards the population of the country. He abolished all the “liberties” that Rudolf II was generous with. By 1618, the political situation in the country had become so aggravated that it resulted in an event that was called “The Second Prague Throwing from Windows: Czech nobles threw two imperial governors and their secretary out of the window of the royal palace.” This event marked the beginning of the Thirty Years' War between Catholics and Protestants.
In 1620, the Protestant army suffered a crushing defeat at the White Mountain near Prague. Participants in the uprising were subjected to repression: many of them were either executed or sentenced to exile from the country. Bohemia lost its autonomy and became part of Austria. All churches were transferred to the disposal of the Catholic clergy, and non-Catholics were deprived of all civil rights. This period in the history of the Czech Republic is marked by the period of German colonization, oppression of the Czech population and forced Catholicization.
During the reign of Empress Maria Theresa, national consciousness awakened and peasant uprisings swept the entire country. The reign of Emperors Joseph II and Leopold II was marked by a revival of Czech culture: museums and theaters were built, and theater productions were staged exclusively in the Czech language. The works of composers Smetana and Dvorak, writer Alois Jirasek, and artist Miklos Ales were very popular among the population.
Emperor Franz Joseph tried to stop revolutionary sentiments in the country, realizing that they posed a great threat to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but his plans were disrupted by the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.
XX century
The defeat of the German bloc in World War I led to the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the end of the rule of the Habsburg dynasty in the Czech Republic.
The year 1918 was marked by the creation of an independent republic - Czechoslovakia, which included the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Tomas Masaryk was proclaimed the first president of the new state, and Prague became the capital of the republic.
However, the young state did not last long. After the Munich Treaty of 1938, Nazi Germany was given the Sudetenland to Czechoslovakia, populated mainly by ethnic Germans who were happy to reunite with Germany.
In 1939, Slovakia declared its independence and became an ally of Germany. In the same year, the remaining part of the Czech territory was occupied by German troops (Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia).
During the German occupation, the main victims were Czech politicians and intellectuals, as well as Jews who were killed or sent to concentration camps.
Czechoslovakia, liberated by the Red Army in May 1945, came under the influence of the USSR, as a result of which a communist regime was established in the country. The development of the economy along Soviet lines contributed to the nationalization of industry and the collectivization of agriculture.
An attempt to reform the communist system in 1968 (Prague Spring) ended with the introduction of troops and tanks of the Warsaw Pact countries into Czechoslovakia and, thus, the suppression of the Prague Spring occurred.
The history of the Czech Republic at the end of the 80s was marked by a period of democratic change. Mass protests and demonstrations that swept the entire country marked the beginning of the Velvet Revolution (1989), which resulted in the overthrow of the communist regime in the country.
On January 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia was divided into two independent states - the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Vaclav Havel was proclaimed President of the Czech Republic, and Prague became the Czech capital.
In 1995, the Czech Republic was admitted to the OECD, and in 1999 joined NATO.
XXI Century
In 2000, the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, was declared the cultural capital of Europe.
In 2004, the Czech Republic joined the European Union, and in 2006, civil partnerships between people of the same sex were legalized in the country.
Since 2007, the Czech Republic has been part of the Schengen zone.
Good neighborly and friendly relations have been established between the Czech Republic and Russia, which are based on mutually beneficial cooperation.
Currently, the Czech Republic is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.
Czech Republic (Czech Republic)
Introduction
Czech Republic, geographic abbreviation CR), Czech spelling Česká republika(abbreviation ČR or Česko), English international spelling Czech Republic(abbreviation CZ), is a state located in the territory of the “Czech Lands” or in Central Europe. On January 1, 1969, the Czech Socialist Republic was officially formed in the federalization of Czechoslovakia, and on March 6, 1990, the current name was assigned - the Czech Republic. On January 1, 1993, in connection with the collapse of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic became a full-fledged subject of international law and on the same date the first constitution of the Czech Republic came into force. The Czech Republic is a parliamentary republic, a democratic state governed by the rule of law with a liberal government regime and a political system based on free competition of political parties and movements. The head of state is the president. The only supreme legislative body is the bicameral Parliament of the Czech Republic. The state supports the basic principles of liberalism, capitalism, market economy and free markets. The Czech Republic is on the list of developed countries. According to economic, social and political indicators such as GDP per capita, human development index, press freedom index, freedom from internet censorship index, the Czech Republic was given a very high rating among world countries. Economically, the World Bank has ranked the Czech Republic among the 31 richest countries in the world with the highest financial income. The Czech Republic has one of the best indicators of any country in the proportion of its population living below the poverty line. The Czech Republic has relatively low levels of inequality between rich and poor, and a relatively balanced distribution of wealth among the majority of the population. The unemployment rate is low compared to other developed countries. The environmental damage index is significantly lower than the European average.
| Date of independence (from Czechoslovakia) | January 1, 1993 |
| Motto | Pravda vítězí (Truth triumphs) |
| Hymn | “Kde domov můj” (Where is my home) |
| Capital | Prague |
| Other major cities | Pilsen, Brno, Czech Budijovice, Ostrava, Olomouc, Pardubice, Hradec Hradec Kralov, Liberec, Usti nad Labe |
| Square | 78,867 sq. km. (2% of water surface) - 115th place in the world |
| Highest point | Mount Snezka (1602 m) |
| Timezone | +2 hours from Moscow time |
| Population | 10,505,445 people (as of January 1, 2012) |
| Population density | 133 people/kW.km (82 people/kW.km is the global figure) |
| Human Development Index | ▲0.873 (very high) (28th place 2013) |
| Official language | Czech |
| Other languages | Slovenian, Polish, Russian, German, Ukrainian, English |
| Religion | No faith 34.2%, Catholics 56%, Orthodox 3.6%, other 6.2% |
| State system | Parliamentary republic |
| The president | Milos Zeman |
| Currency | Czech Koruna (CZK) |
| GDP per capita: | $26,125 (18th place in the world) |
| Telephone code | +420 |
| ISO code | CZ |
| Internet domain | .cz |
The Czech Republic is a member of the United Nations, NATO, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, European Customs Union, European Union, Schengen Area, European Economic zone, member of the Visegrad Group and other international structures.
Today the Czech Republic consists of lands (parts) of historical Czech Republic, which were a significant part of history under the control of the Czech Crown: Bohemia, Moravia (in 1920 the lands of Czech Austria were also annexed), as well as part of Silesia. Currently the area Czech Republic is 78,867 km 2. Currently, the country is a landlocked European state, bordered in the west by Germany (border length 810 km), in the north by Poland (762 km), in the east by Slovakia (252 km) and in the south by Austria (466 km). km). Administratively, the Czech Republic is divided into 14 administrative districts (regions). The capital is the city of Prague, which is also one of the 14 districts. In 2012, approximately 10.5 million people were registered in the Czech Republic. The vast majority of people living in the Czech Republic consider themselves to be of Czech or Moravian nationality.
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| 6. Largest cities in the Czech Republic by population | ||||
| 7. Political system in the Czech Republic | ||||
| 7.1. Parliamentary political parties of the Czech Republic | ||||
| 7.2. Government of the Czech Republic | ||||
| 8. Administrative divisions of the Czech Republic | ||||
| 8.1. Territorial regions | ||||
| 8.2. Districts | ||||
| 8.3. Municipalities and counties | ||||
| 8.4. NUTS | ||||
| 8.5.
Army |
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| 9. Economy | ||||
| 9.1. Economic development | ||||
| 9.2. Mining and agriculture | ||||
| 9.3. Industry | ||||
| 9.4. Services | ||||
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9.4.1. Telecommunication | ||
| 9.4.2. Tourism | ||||
| 10. Transport | ||||
| 10.1. Air Transport | ||||
| 10.2. Trucking | ||||
| 10.3 . Railway transport | ||||
| 10.4. Water transport | ||||
| 10.5. Transportation of energy resources | ||||
| 11. Culture | ||||
| 11.1. Literature | ||||
| 11.2. Theater | ||||
| 11.3. Movie | ||||
| 11.4. Music | ||||
| 11.5. Fine Arts | ||||
| 12. Other characteristics of the Czech Republic | ||||
| 12.1. The science | ||||
| 12.2. Education | ||||
| 12.3. Sport | ||||
| 12.4. Kitchen | ||||
| 12.5. Vacations and Holidays | ||||
1. History of the formation of states on Czech soil.
The first documented state structure on the territory of the current Czech Republic was formed in the second half of the 9th century - Greater Moravia. When Great Moravia (circa 907) disappeared under the onslaught of nomadic Hungarian tribes, the state's focus of development shifted to the Czech Republic (Bohemia). Local rulers from the Přemyslid family built the medieval "Přemyslid" state, also called the Czech State, and from the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries, part of the Holy Roman Empire. From 1526, the Czech lands were gradually incorporated into the Habsburg Empire, whose rulers used the victory at White Mountain (1620) to finally eliminate the last vestiges of former independence. From 1749 until the end of the First World War, namely until 1918, the crowned lands of the Habsburgs remained the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Moravian Margraviate, the Upper Duchy and Lower Silesia, which, however, were not connected to each other. Since 1804, these lands were part of Austria, and then, from 1867, the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1918, after military-political actions, on the basis of cultural and linguistic proximity, the state of Czechoslovakia was created, which included the Czech and Slovak lands. Immediately after its emergence, Czechoslovakia limits the freedom of its lands, which, with the exception of Slovakia, had their own laws, charters, parliaments, and becomes a strictly centralized state. The Czech lands were part of it until 1992, that is, until the collapse of Czechoslovakia. The Czech Republic was officially created on January 1, 1969 under the federalization of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic under the name Czech Socialist Republic. Revolutionary political changes after November 1989 meant not only changing the name of the federation (Czech and Slovak Federal Republic), but also the Czech Republic (March 1990 Czech Republic, after the adoption of the Constitution the word “socialist” was removed). The disintegration of Czechoslovakia took place without a referendum; on January 1993, the agreement on the formation of the Federation was terminated. The legal successors of Czechoslovakia were the states of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. At the same time, he entered into the first in history, his own, constitution of the Czech Republic.
2. Titles and state symbols of the Czech Republic
The territory on which the Czech Republic is now located is usually referred to as the “Czech Lands”, which is an auxiliary historical-geographical term that is used as a general term for the corresponding geographical Czech Republic (that is, the three historically Czech lands - Bohemia (Bohemia), Moravia and the Czech part of Silesia). The term is based on the traditional, historical, geographical division of political entities on the territory of the modern Czech Republic, which lasted from the Middle Ages until 1928 (when Moravia and Czech Silesia were united into one region Moravskoslezské), after 1948 when the Moravskoslezské region was abolished, the "Lands Czech" already designated the Czech part of the state of Czechoslovakia. The concept of "Czech Lands" was now expanded to include parts of Czech Austria, which until 1919 were part of "Lower Austria".
The official name of the country according to the constitution is the Czech Republic, the one-word name “Czech Republic” is not used in the constitution. Czechs are not used at all, part of the society of the Czech Republic refuses to use the word “Czech Republic” as a designation of the state. The first use of the expression "Czech Republic" dates back to 1777 as a synonym for "Bohemia", as the official designation of the Czechoslovak Federation, the word appeared in Czech in 1978. During the national revival, the form “Czech” was also used, derived from the word “Czech Republic” (and the use of the word “Czech” was considered incorrect); in general, the word “Czech Republic” is a translation from the Latin word “Bohemia”. Due to tradition, the words “Czech Republic” are still used in circulation, as well as the adjective “Czech”.
The state symbols of the Czech Republic are the large and small coat of arms, the state flag (the Czech Republic, after the collapse of the Czechoslovak Federation, took over the original flag of Czechoslovakia, since Slovakia was not interested in the further use of this attribute), the standard of the president, the state seal, the state colors of the republic and the national anthem “Where is my home?” State symbols point to the traditions of the medieval Czech state (symbol), the Hussite movement (slogan on the presidential standard), national revival (anthem) and democratic Czechoslovakia (flag).
The name "Czech" was a simplification of the word "Czesko", derived from the adjective "Czech", (although historically the original spelling read "Czechi", which is the Latin word for "Bohemia"). The documented entry "Czech Republic" dates back to the 18th century, and since the 19th century it has also been referred to as the name of the "Czech Lands". In this status, the word “Czech Republic” was used by the Moravian linguist Frantisek Travniček in 1938. In the dictionary of the literary Czech language of 1960, the word "Czech Republic" is used both as a designation of the state and as a designation of the region "Bohemia", at the same time it is called obsolete. The 1978 dictionary uses the word “Czech Republic” only as the region “Bohemia”. In the spring of 1993, the Czech Office of Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre, on behalf of the government, appointed to use the word "Czech Republic" as an abbreviation for the "Czech Republic". After fierce debate in support of the Czech Geographical Society and despite the opposition of President Havel and other figures, the term was significantly expanded, but not given official status.
3. STORY
3.1. PervonAinitialsettlements
Presumably, the territory of the current Czech Republic was inhabited by humans about 750,000 years ago. About the settlement of people in the territory of the Czech Republic starting from 28000 BC. confirmed by a number of archaeological finds. From the third century BC. This area was inhabited by the Celts (Boii), and in the first century AD. German tribes came (Marcomanni and Quads).
From the end of the fifth century, the first Slavs appeared on the territory of what is now the Czech Republic. In the 7th century, Slavic tribes formed the state of "Samo" (ca. 623-659), although the state of Samo was more like a large union of tribes. Between 830 - 833, on the lands of Moravia, Slovakia, Hungary in the north and west of Transcarpathia, the Great Moravian Empire was created, which gradually subjugated the Czech Republic (890 - 894), Silesia, Lusatia, Lesser Poland and the rest of Hungary. Great Moravia was the first state formation on the territory of the modern Czech Republic. In 894, the Czech Republic left the control of Great Moravia, and in 906 or 907 it was subjected to a devastating attack by the Hungarians.
3.2. Middle Ages and Modern Times
The origins of the Czech state date back to the second half of the 9th century, when the first documented Czech prince of the Přemyslid dynasty, Borživoj I, was baptized. During the 10th and 11th centuries, the state was consolidated due to which there were The territories of Moravia were annexed. The Czech Principality gradually developed signs of a more or less independent state within the medieval Holy Roman Empire (the bishopric of Prague was founded in 973, St. Wenceslas became the national saint).
The Czech kingdom appeared only in 1198, when the German king recognized the heredity of the Czech royal title, which was then recognized by the emperor, the pope, and in 1212 the document Golden Sicilian Bull was signed which assigned the king of the Czech Republic Přemysl Ottokar I his royal title and established his heredity, and also granted other privileges to the Czech Kingdom. The Czech ruler was henceforth to be freed from all obligations towards the Holy Roman Empire, including participation in imperial meetings. Přemysl Otakar II significantly expanded his possessions, which now extended beyond the Alps all the way to the Adriatic Sea. Wenceslas II turned his attention to the north and east, where he managed to acquire the lands of Poland with access to the Baltic Sea, and his son Wenceslas III annexed the Hungarian territories. The Czech Kingdom reached its maximum greatness during the reign of the last of the Přemylovich family and Charles IV. (1316-1378), who in 1348 secured the borders of the Czech Crown Lands and annexed Brandenburg (in 1415), Lusatia (in 1635) and Silesia (in 1742).
After the burning of Master John Hus in 1415 in Konstanz, Germany, the rivalry between Catholics and Hussites turned into open hostility and events led to the Hussite Wars. The Hussites founded the city of Tabor, which became the center of the Hussite revolution. Jan Žižka from Trocnov and Prokop Goly were able to repel all four crusades in the Czech Republic. The war was ended after the signing of an agreement between the Council of Basel and the Hussites in 1436.
In 1526, the Habsburg dynasty ascended the Czech throne, which incorporated the country into the Habsburg monarchy. In 1547 and 1618, armed uprisings took place for the sovereignty of the Czech Protestant state. The defenestration (throwing out of a window) of the imperial governors in 1618 was the cause of the Thirty Years' War. The troops of the Czech state were defeated in the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, and the remnants of the captured troops were publicly executed in Prague. The forced re-catholization (re-conversion to the Catholic faith) of Czech Protestants began. Most of the Czech nobility and intelligentsia became loyal to the Habsburg supporters. Until the mid-17th century, the population declined in Bohemia and Moravia from 2.6 million to 1.5 million. In 1627, a new set of laws was adopted in the Czech Republic, according to which the Habsburg family received a royal hereditary title, the Catholic one was declared the only permitted religion, and the German language received the status of a second state language on par with the Czech language.
The proclamation of the lands of the Czech Crown was canceled in 1749 by Maria Theresa, but Czech kings continued to be crowned within the framework of the Czech Kingdom. In 1781, the reforms of Joseph II led to the abolition of serfdom, and also gave rise to religious tolerance in society. From the 17th century to the beginning of the 19th century, processes took place that led to the centralization of the monarchy. This centralization helped the German language become dominant in government and church administration. In response to the Germanization of culture and language, the end of the 18th century marked the beginning of the “Czech National Revival”, attempts were made to restore Czech culture and language, and then to gain a political force representing the interests of the Czech ethnic group. In the second half of the 19th century, an important economic and cultural upswing took place in the Czech Republic. The majority (about 70%) of Austria-Hungary's industry was concentrated in the Czech Republic.
3.3. Pre-war Czechoslovakia
In the First World War, 1,500,000 people fought, recruited from the Czech regions, of which 138,000 were killed defending the monarchy and about five and a half thousand people fought as part of the foreign legions. More than 90,000 volunteers formed the Czechoslovak Legion in France, Italy and Russia, where they fought against the Central Powers and later the Bolsheviks. After the defeat of Austria-Hungary on October 28, 1918, the Czech lands, part of the Kingdom of Hungary, and Carpathian Rus' united, creating the new state of Czechoslovakia. Despite the fact that the state was formed primarily on a national basis, nevertheless, the state also included Germans, Hungarians, Poles, as well as Romanians (as part of national minorities). After Czechoslovakia gained independence, there were border conflicts on the border with Poland and Hungary, as well as unrest in the German regions of the country (Sudeten Germans). Tomas Garrick Masaryk was elected the first president of Czechoslovakia. From the founding period until the dissolution of the First Republic, Czechoslovakia was a unitary state and remained the only democratic state in Central Europe.
The German population in the border areas, as a result of the Great Depression, mass unemployment and intense, radical Nazi propaganda, began to demand separation from Czechoslovakia. The greatest efforts in this area were made by the Sudeten-German Party, led by Konrad Henleine. Under pressure from Nazi Germany and the European powers, in September 1938, Czechoslovakia, under the Munich Agreement, was forced to cede the Sudetenland to Germany. Czechoslovakia ceded the southern regions of Slovakia and Carpathian Rus to Hungary, a small part of Czechoslovak territory (in particular, the region of Cieszyn Silesia) went to Poland, and thus the “second republic” of Czechoslovakia appeared.
3.4. Protectorate of Bohemia (Czech Republic) and Morava
On March 14, 1939, Slovakia declared its independence, and after occupation by German troops on March 15, 1939, the remaining part of Czechoslovak territory (that is, the Czech Republic without the Sudetenland, annexed in 1938 by Germany, and in the eastern part the region of Cieszyn Silesia, which in 1938 it was also annexed by Poland) Bohemia and Moravia was declared a protectorate (a very small part of Czech Silesia around the cities of Ostrava and Fridku remained on the territory of the protectorate; the remaining lands, including the eastern part of the Czechoslovak Tiszyn Silesia, were annexed to Germany). The German occupation of Czechoslovakia was met with massive resistance from the country's population (Czech sources) and groups supported from abroad, to which the Nazis responded with terror. During the war, the Nazis implemented a policy of forced labor of Czech labor in Germany, as well as the destruction of the Jewish diaspora in the protectorate. Despite this, it should be noted that the Czech Republic made a very impressive contribution to Germany’s successes in the first years of the war. The lion's share of Germany's weapons, incl. and tanks were produced in factories located in the Czech Republic and where Czechs worked, and cases of sabotage in factories were isolated and did not make any significant contribution to the disruption of production. Also, a large number of citizens of the former Czechoslovakia served voluntarily in the SS troops. So, for example, Knispel Kurt, one of the greatest tank aces in Germany, who destroyed 168 enemy tanks, was from Czechoslovakia. It is worth noting that the partisan movements in the Czech Republic, which appeared almost immediately after the occupation, did not make any significant contribution to the liberation of Czechoslovakia. Unfortunately, it is not possible to reliably determine the mood of the population of the Czech Republic on the day of the occupation, but based on the measures taken or not taken to stop the occupation, we can confidently say that the Czechs were not against the inclusion of their country in Germany and considered this as a logical continuation of Germanization countries. The only exception can be considered the heroic act of Captain Karel Pavlik, who on March 14, 1939, with his company, offered armed resistance to the occupying German forces. He was the only officer who violated the order and resisted.
3.5. Post-war Czechoslovakia
In May 1945, Czechoslovakia was completely liberated by the Allies, marking the official restoration of the democratic state of Czechoslovakia. However, during this period strange political phenomena occurred in the Czech Republic, such as the expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia to Germany and Austria or restrictions on party competition, extensive nationalization of key enterprises in the fields of heavy industry, energy, film industry, banking, insurance companies, large construction companies, and etc.. In February 1948, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia came to power in Czechoslovakia, the country became a totalitarian state and part of the Soviet bloc (Eastern bloc). The structures of civil society were suppressed, ranging from self-government of regions (1949) to the suppression of freedom of speech, the press and the abolition of market relations in the economic life of the country. State nationalization and monetary reform (1953) led to the fact that millions of citizens lost their property. In 1960, a new constitution changed the country's official name to the "Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (CSSR)". In the late 50s - 60s there was a gradual liberalization, which reached its peak in 1968. The period during which movements aimed at liberalizing Czechoslovakia took place is known as the Prague Spring. The Prague Paddle was suppressed by the invasion of the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact countries on August 21, 1968. After the invasion, an outflow of Czech intellectuals began, with many educated people emigrating to democracies in Europe and to the United States, further accelerating the economic decline in a country that had undergone a violent process of joining the Soviet bloc. At that time, Czechoslovakia was occupied by the Soviet Army, which finally withdrew from the country only in 1991, i.e. the “normalization” process, which lasted more than 20 years, completely suppressed the sense of freedom among Czech citizens.
Post-war Czechoslovakia was not a completely unitary state, but had an asymmetrical structure. On the territory of Slovakia, the legislative body was the “Slovak National Council”; until 1960, the executive body was the “Assembly of Representatives”, while in the Czech Republic there were no such bodies. While the mutual borders of the Czech Republic, Moravia and Silesia were subject to regional division in the post-war period, the border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia was prohibited at the legislative level from being changed, i.e. The borders of Slovakia remained untouched and remained a single entity until the very end. Some Czechoslovak laws and regulations adopted were limited to the territorial coverage of the Czech region. An example is state environmental law. The Slovak National Council adopted Law No. 1/1955 “Protection of State Natural Resources”, valid only for the Slovak region.
3.6. The Socialist Republic of the Czech Republic and the Czech Republic as part of the federation.
The most lasting state-legal consequence of the Prague Spring was the federalization of the Czechoslovenian Socialist Republic, established on January 1, 1969, when the unitary state became a federation of two sovereign states - the Czech and Slovenian Socialist Republics.
The Velvet Revolution, launched on November 17, 1989, overthrew the communist regime and provided an opportunity for democratic reforms and the restoration of free enterprise, but also contributed to a sharp increase in crime rates, a large public debt and provoked the collapse of the Federation. In 1990, the word “socialist” was removed from the name of each federal state and the Czech Republic received its own state symbols. Disagreements soon began to emerge between the two groups of federal subjects, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, and a split emerged between the two republics, which ultimately led to the rapid collapse of the unified state. Czechoslovakia peacefully ceased to exist on December 31, 1992, and the new republics divided the assets and liabilities of the former Czechoslovakia among themselves. Since this period, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have existed as two independent states.
3.7. Independent Czech Republic
The Czech Republic became a subject of international law on January 1, 1993, after the collapse of the federation. The Czech Republic joined Western European political structures. On March 12, 1999, the Czech Republic was admitted to NATO and on May 1, 2004, it joined the European Union. In 2004, it joined the Schengen Agreement, and on this basis, on December 21, 2007, it became part of the Schengen zone.
The existence of the Czech Republic as a subject of international law is recognized by the vast majority of countries in the world. From its creation until July 13, 2009, the Czech Republic was recognized as an independent state only by Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein seeks, as a precondition for the recognition and establishment of diplomatic treaty relations with the Czech Republic, to resolve issues of a property nature (property disputes have existed between Liechtenstein and Czechoslovakia since the founding of Czechoslovakia, disputes related to the expropriation of Liechtenstein property according to the Benes Decree). Liechtenstein made significant efforts to prevent the Czech Republic from joining international organizations, but this activity was not successful.
4. Geography
The Czech Republic is located in Central Europe and borders four countries: Germany to the north, Poland to the north, Slovakia to the southeast and the southern border shared with Austria. The length of the western border with Germany is 810.7 kilometers, with Austria 466.1 kilometers, with Slovakia 251.8 kilometers and with Poland in the north 761.8 kilometers. The total area of the Czech Republic is 78,867 km², of which 2% is water surface. The Czech Republic has mountains and hilly terrain around its perimeter, the highest mountains are in the north, the Krkonose Mountains. The highest point in the Czech Republic is Mount Snezka (1602 meters above sea level). The Elbe (Laby) and Vltava rivers flow in the western part of the Czech Republic, while the Oder River has its sources in the eastern part. Thanks to the rivers, the Czech Republic has access to the North, Baltic and Black Seas. The climate in the Czech Republic is mild, only a week a year it is “very” hot and a week a year it is “very cold”, the rest of the time the temperature and weather are always comfortable, without sharp fluctuations (in summer the average temperature is +20 degrees, in winter -3). This ideal climate is achieved due to maritime and continental influences. Due to the fact that the Czech Republic is surrounded by mountains along its entire perimeter, the negative influence of winds is significantly reduced, and a significant amount of snow falls in the mountains, which makes the Czech Republic a ski country.
4.1. Geology,geomorphologyand soil
Most of the territory belongs to the geologically stable Czech massif, formed in the fourth geological period of the Paleozoic era by the Hercynian fold. The region of the Western Carpathians, in the east of the territory, was formed in the last era of tectogenesis by Alpine folding.
From a geomorphological point of view, the Czech Republic is located on the border of two mountain systems. The central and western parts of the Czech Republic are located on the “Český masiv” mountain range, mainly consisting of hills and mountains (Šumava, Český Les, Krusne Mountains, Jizerske Mountains, Giant Mountains, Orlice Mountains, Kralicky Snezik, Jeseniky), and in the east of the Czech Republic there are Western Carpathians (Beskids). An area of 52,817 km2, which is 67% of the total area of the Czech Republic, is located at an altitude of up to 500 meters above sea level, 25,222 km2 (32%) are at an altitude of 500 to 1000 meters, and only 827 km2 (1.05%) are at altitude above 1000 meters above sea level. The highest place in the Czech Republic is the Sněžka mountain, 1602 meters above sea level, and the lowest is the Labe River near the town of Hřensko, 115 meters above sea level. The average altitude above sea level is 430 meters.
The country's soil cover is varied. The most common soil type in the Czech Republic is “Brown soils”, fertile black soils on the plains.
4.2. Hydrology and climate
The main European watershed separating the Northern, Baltic and Black Sea basins passes through the territory of the Czech Republic. The main river axes are in Bohemia - Labe (370 km) with the Vltava (433 km); in Moravia - the Morava rivers (246 km) with the Taya (306 km); in Silesia Odra (135 km) with Opawou (131 km).
The climate in the Czech Republic is mild, transitional between continental and oceanic types. An alternation of four seasons is typical. Western winds and intense cyclonic activity predominate. Maritime influence is manifested mainly in Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia are more susceptible to continental climatic influences. The greatest influence on the climate in the Czech Republic is exerted by altitude and relief.
4.3. Flora and fauna
The flora and fauna in the Czech Republic is a classic manifestation of the Central European fauna, which demonstrates the interpenetration of guiding principles. Forests, mostly coniferous, cover 33% of the total land area.
4.4. Environmental protection
The preserved pristine nature is protected in national parks and reserves. The highest authority dealing with the protection and preservation of the environment in the Czech Republic is the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Czech Republic. There are four national parks in the Czech Republic: Šumava National Park, Krkonoše National Park, Czech Switzerland National Park and Podyje National Park. Protected areas include: National Parks (NP), Protected Landscape Areas (CHKO), National Nature Reserves (NPR), Nature Reserves (PR), National Natural Monuments (NPP), Natural Attractions (PP).
| Population changes in the Czech Republic according to data from the Czech Statistical Office. | ||
| Year | Total population | Changes |
| 1857 | 7,016,531 | - |
| 1869 | 7,617,230 | +8,6% |
| 1880 | 8,222,013 | +7,9% |
| 1890 | 8,665,421 | +5,4% |
| 1900 | 9,372,214 | +8,2% |
| 1910 | 10,078,637 | +7,5% |
| 1921 | 10,009,587 | -0,7% |
| 1930 | 10,674,386 | +6,6% |
| 1950 | 8,896,133 | -16,7% |
| 1961 | 9,571,531 | +7,6% |
| 1970 | 9,807,697 | 2,5% |
| 1980 | 10,291,927 | +4,9% |
| 1991 | 10,302,215 | +0,1% |
| 2001 | 10,230,060 | -0,7% |
| 2011 | 10,526,214 | +2,9% |
5. Population
The birth rate in the Czech Republic is one of the lowest in the world, in 2012 there were 1.27 children per woman. The total population, according to the Czech Statistical Office, decreased slightly in the years 1995 to 2002, currently the overall growth is around zero (-0.08 in 2003 and + 0.9% in 2004) due to increased immigration from abroad, although natural increase has always been negative since 1994. Average life expectancy continues to slowly increase and exceeds 72 years for men and 79 years for women (2004 estimate). 71% of the population lives in cities.
In the last census in 2011, 63.7% of Czech citizens classified themselves as having Czech nationality (86% of those who classified themselves as having some nationality), which predominates in all regions of the Czech Republic, 4.9% of the population classified themselves as Moravian nationality and 0.1% to Silesian nationality, although both nationalities use exclusively Czech for communication. According to the Czech Statistical Office (CSU), we are talking about the consequences of the division of the Czech nation, as a result of intense media coverage and politicization of the Moravian national question, as the Moravian political party actively uses this issue for its political purposes. Before the 1991 census, it was virtually impossible to identify nationalities, since there was no column in which this could be indicated, therefore it is not possible to trace the complete demographic situation among each nationality. In the 2011 census, 26% of the population, in the nationality column, did not enter any information, i.e. left the field empty.
5.1. Religion
The Czech Republic has one of the least religious populations in the world. In the Eurobarometer Project surveys in 2005, 19% of respondents responded that they believed in God, 50% believed in the power of spiritual life, and 30% Not believe in religion. According to the latest census in 2011, about 3.6 million people do not belong to any religion. This is 34.2% of the population. Almost 1.5 million people (13.9%) considered themselves to have different religions. Approximately 707,000 people (6.7%) identified themselves as believers, but not identifying themselves with any of the existing religions. In general, about 2,100,000 people or 20.6% of the Czech population considered themselves believers (regardless of religion). A total of 4,700,000 people (45.2%) in this voluntary column did not complete the census form.
The most common religion in the Czech Republic is Christianity. The largest religious group is the Roman Catholic Church, which has 1.1 million believers (10.26%), which is significantly lower compared to 2001, with a total of 2.7 million people classifying themselves as believers (26.8%). A high proportion of believers is still in the Orthodox Church, which has a total of 27,000 believers, supporters of Jediism - 15,000 people, Jehovah's Witnesses - 13,000. More than 700,000 people indicated that they were religious but did not identify themselves with any organized church. The number of adherents of Judaism is about 1,500 inhabitants, Islam is preached by almost 3,500 people. 6,100 people identified themselves as belonging to various branches of Buddhism. 1075 people classified themselves as Atheists, 863 people declared paganism.
The share of people who declared themselves religious, compared with previous censuses, decreased significantly in 2001. The number of people who have not declared any religion has decreased significantly. An innovation of the 2011 census was the opportunity to register as believers without belonging to a particular church, this opportunity was used by almost 7% of the population, but the percentage of people who chose not to answer the question regarding their religion also increased. The largest number of religious people live in the eastern part of the Czech Republic - Moravia.
5.2. Ethnographic groups
In the Czech Republic there are several ethnographic groups closely related to the region where they live, which in the past had cultural differences, as well as dialect characteristics. In Bohemia these are: Chody, Plzenatsi, Blatatsi, Duleby, in Moravia: Horatsi, Hanaks, Moravian Croats, Moravian Slovaks, Podluzatsi, Wallasi, Lashi and others in Silesia, for example, Guraly. Differences between ethnographic groups began to blur after the "Second World War", but some regional characteristics are still maintained. In addition to these geographically diverse ethnographic groups, it is necessary to note groups that are not geographically tied to the place of residence, but are also significant, these are: the Roman and Israeli ethnographic group.
5.3. Foreigners
Overall, in the Czech Republic, the number of foreigners in 2011 decreased compared to 2010 by almost 8,000 people to 416,700 people (4%). Prague and the Central Bohemian Region account for more than half of the total number of foreigners living in the Czech Republic. Most immigrants came from Slovakia (1.4%), Ukraine (0.5%), Poland (0.4%), Vietnam (0.3%), Germany (0.2%), Russia (0.2% ) and Hungary (0.1%). Compared to other European countries, the Czech Republic remains a relatively homogeneous country, for example neighboring Germany has the largest number of foreigners living in the EU, i.e. 7.2 million foreigners (9% of the population), Austria 10.8% and Spain 12% . An undeniable advantage is the fact that in the Czech Republic such ethnic groups as Turks and Blacks are represented in small numbers and are not a problem for the state, unlike Germany and France.
Where it all began
The second name of the Czech Republic is Bohemia. It originated from the ancient Celtic tribe of Boii, who inhabited the territory of modern Northern Bohemia in prehistoric times. Then the Celts were replaced by the Germanic 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 at 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 fairly impressive territory (it included Slovakia, Bohemia, as well as part of what is now Austria and Hungary), this state had already collapsed by the beginning of the 10th century. Great Moravia was a Christian country; its baptizers, just like in Rus', were the apostles Cyril and Methodius.
“I see a golden hail!”
Thanks to the efforts of the first Czech princely dynasty, the Přemyslids, a new unification of the country took place between the 10th and 14th centuries. 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 emergence of the capital of the Czech state, the city of Prague, is associated with the same period. 
According to an ancient legend, this event was predicted by Princess Libuše, 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 rise 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 Přemyslovich-Borževoy moved his residence here.
Despite the fact that Bohemia (which is what 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 escape the subordination of the German Empire and establish autocracy in Bohemia, but also to expand the borders of his possessions, annexing Austria, Styria, Carinthia and Carniola to the Czech lands. True, Přemysl’s triumph 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 Vaclav III, was killed in the Czech city of Olomouc. The dynasty ceased to exist. The question of who should rule next was soon resolved: in 1310, the wedding of 14-year-old John of Luxembourg to Wenceslaus III's 18-year-old daughter Eliska (Elizabeth) took place. 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 lands of the Czech crown.
John of Luxembourg was a good king, but he had one fatal weakness: he loved to fight. When there were no wars or clashes in his own state, he went to other countries to get them. Naturally, this passion did not lead to anything good: in 1346, John died in the Battle of Crecy, speaking against 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. 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 that Charles IV is sometimes confused with his son, who also bore the name Wenceslas IV.
Charles IV came to the throne when he was 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 insidious minions, he learned the Czech language in a very short time and took the reins of power 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 City Hall reads: “Prague head of the empire.” The Emperor came up with a plan for the Prague New Town and personally supervised the construction; Karlštejn Castle and the Karlovy Vary spa were also named after Charles IV. Karl's achievements include 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 preconditions for these conflicts arose under Charles IV. The fact is that, being a very pious man 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 help 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. He became a theology teacher at the University of Prague, Jan Hus. In his sermons, which took place in the Bethlehem chapel, Hus condemned the corruption of the clergy, called for depriving the church of property and subordinating it to secular power, demanded church reform, and spoke out against German dominance in the Czech Republic. The further fate of Jan Hus is known to everyone. At first he was excommunicated from the church, but despite this, he continued to preach secretly in Czech towns. Then, by decision of a church council, which took place in the German city of Constance, Hus was sentenced to death. Hus's execution 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 said after he was asked for the last time 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 supporters of the Reformation, the church fulfilled only social, not religious demands.
Habsburgs
In 1526, the Austrian 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 noticeable 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 a passionate art enthusiast and mystic. Rudolf amassed a very large collection of paintings, including works by the geniuses of the Italian Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. Rudolf's passion for everything related to supernatural forces led to Prague becoming the world capital of alchemy for almost thirty years. Magicians and alchemists from all over Europe flocked here in the hope of receiving 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, so 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 Church of Loreta and the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. In 1611, under pressure from his relatives, Rudolf II was forced to abdicate the throne 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 that the loyal and democratic Rudolf II had been so generous with were canceled. 
In 1618, the political situation in the country became so tense 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 from the windows of the royal palace. This uprising was one of the reasons for the start of the Thirty Years' War - Protestant Bohemia rebelled against Catholic Austria. The decisive battle in this war was the Battle of White Mountain, which the Protestants lost. More than 30,000 Protestant families were forced to leave the country, and Prague became a provincial city for many years. A “dark era” of economic and cultural stagnation began in the history of the Czech Republic. During this period, German became the official language of the state, all key positions in the state were transferred to the Germans, and they also occupied leading positions in the economy. Many Czech nobles and intellectuals are leaving the country.
Awakening of the Nation
The period of the reign of the Austrian Archduchess Maria Theresa was marked by the awakening of national consciousness, and peasant uprisings swept the entire country. Under Emperors Joseph II and Leopold II, a revival of Czech culture took place: theaters staged plays in the Czech language, and the works of the historian Frantisek Palacky were published. Well aware of the threat created for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Emperor Franz Joseph tries to stop the revolutionary sentiments in the country, but he fails to do this.
World War I and the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Already during the First World War, such prominent Czech political figures 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, Tomas Masaryk, was elected. In 1935, he was replaced in this post by Eduard Benes.
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 captured the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia, populated predominantly 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, Red Army troops liberated the Czech Republic from German invaders. Shortly after World War II, the Czechoslovak Republic fell into the Soviet sphere of influence. The democratic parties failed to resist the communists, who received 40% of the votes in the 1946 elections.
Among the many 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 into Czechoslovakia.
Regime change and 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. 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 followed different political courses: while Slovakia was guided by the policies of Moscow, the Czech Republic was aligned with European countries. In 1999, the Czech Republic joined NATO, and in 2004 became a member of the EU. 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 cities and villages of other European countries that are part of the above-mentioned agreement. By train or by renting a car. The latter option, of course, is better, since it allows you to independently develop an interesting route option for you, change the scenario during the trip and generally feel freedom from any schedules and whims of strangers during your own vacation. It is best to travel around Germany and Austria, combining visits to large cities with small provincial ones in order to fully experience the flavor of local life.
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