Czech Republic facts
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Czech Republic factsBasic information Capital: Prague; population: 1.2 million; area: 496 sq km/191.5 sq mi GeographyThe Czech Republic is located in central Europe. Neighboring the Czech Republic are Germany in the southwest, west and north, Poland in the north and east, Slovakia in the east and southeast, and Austria in the south. The principle rivers are the Vltava (Moldau) and Elbe. The highest mountain is called Sněžka (1602m/5256 ft), in the Krkonoše Mountains. There are 3 regions: Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. Brief history In the 5th century Slavic tribes settled in the region of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. The Přemyslid dynasty ruled in Bohemia and Moravia from the 10th through 13th centuries. The Golden age of Prague was the 14th century during the reign of Charles IV. Charles IV was the second king of Bohemia from the House of Luxemburg. He is considered to be the 'Father of the Czech nation' and was named Holy Roman Emperor in 1355. At that time Prague was larger than London or Paris. He founded Charles University, the oldest university in Central Europe (1347), New Town, Wenceslav Square, Charles Square, Emauz Church, Charles Bridge, St Vitus Cathedral, Karlštejn Castle and Karlovy Vary, the most famous spa town in the Czech Republic. The third dynasty in Bohemia was the Jagellon dynasty from Poland (1471-1526) and the last dynasty was the Habsburg dynasty from Austria. (1526-1918). Under the Habsburgs, Czech lands became part of the Austrian - Hungarian Empire. Full independence from the Habsburgs was achieved in 1918 after the end of World War I.  In 1918 the Czech nation became one of the two parts of the newly formed Czechoslovakian Republic and the first president became Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk In March 1939 Germany occupied Czechoslovakia. Slovakia became the Independent State of Slovakia and the Czech area was called the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia for the duration of World War II. On the 8th of May 1945 the Czechs were liberated by two armies – American and Russian and became Czechoslovakia again. When elections were held after the war, Communists became the main political party; the Communists seized power in 1948 and formed a Soviet style state. In 1968 the 'Prague Spring' reform movement tried to humanize communism; this failed when armies from the Warsaw Pact (led by the Soviets) invaded. In the 1980s as communism weakened and Mikhail Gorbachov instituted reform policies, the almost bloodless 'Velvet revolution' occurred in Prague on the 17th of November 1989.  Václav Havel, a playwright, essayist and dissident, was elected as president. He was the 10th and the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic. On the 1st of January 1993, Czech and Slovak political leaders agreed to separate Czechoslovakia into two independent states – Czech Republic and Slovakia. President Václav Havel left his office after 13 years in 2003. He is a symbol of moral authority and courage. In 2003 Václav Klaus, a conservative economist, was elected as the new president. On the 1st of May 2004, the Czech Republic became part of the European Union. |