Czech what a country. All about the Czech Republic

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.

Following the collapse of this state after World War I, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Subcarpathian Ruthenia united to form the independent Republic of Czechoslovakia in 1918. The country had a large enough ethnic German minority that it was the reason for the dissolution of Czechoslovakia when Germany achieved annexation of the Sudetenland as a result of the 1938 Munich Agreement, leading 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 nominate judges for the Constitutional Court, to dissolve parliament under certain conditions, and 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 recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Among all 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, forestry, and mining is insignificant and continues to decline.

The monetary unit of the Czech Republic is the crown (1 crown = 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 exchange rate relative to major world currencies has increased significantly.

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. Its result was an increase in foreign debt and a jump in unemployment. The crisis was 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 Czech Republic's economic growth accelerated noticeably and, despite the largely populist economic policies of several Social Democratic governments, reached 6-7% per year. The share of industry in GDP, which reached 62% by 1990, having initially decreased by half, is currently growing and reaches 38%, which is quite a rare phenomenon 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 resources (oil and gas). In terms of foreign trade per capita, the country is one of the leaders, ahead of countries such as Japan, Great Britain, France or Italy.

Population

The building of the Consulate General in St. Petersburg

The bulk of the population of the Czech Republic (95%) is made up of ethnic Czechs and speakers of the Czech language, which belongs 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 are Ukrainians, of whom 126,500 lived in the country at the end of 2007. In second place are Slovaks (67,880), many of whom remained in the Czech Republic after the division in 1993 and make up approximately 2% of the population. In third are citizens of Vietnam (51,000). They are followed by citizens of Russia (23,300) and Poland (20,600). Other ethnic groups include Germans, Roma, Hungarians and Jews. The border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia is open to citizens of the former Czechoslovakia.

By language, the Czechs belong to the West Slavic peoples. The early works of Czech writing of the 13th-14th centuries were based on the language of central Bohemia. But as the influence of the Catholic Church, German feudal lords and the urban patriciate increased in the country, the Czech language began to be oppressed in favor of the German and Latin languages. But during 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 Germanization of the subject Slavic peoples (by the middle of the 19th century, 15% of the population spoke Czech; 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 most densely populated countries. 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 areas are the areas of large urban agglomerations - Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Pilsen (up to 250 people per 1 sq. km). The areas of Cesky Krumlov and Prachatice have the lowest population density (about 37 people per 1 sq. km). As of 1991, there were 5,479 settlements in the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic is a highly urbanized country: 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 thousand inhabitants (as of December 31, 2006; the population of Prague has been slowly decreasing since 1985). As of 2006, in the Czech Republic there are 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 with more than 20,000 inhabitants.

The total population of the Czech Republic, having reached a post-war maximum in 1991 - 10,302 thousand people - subsequently 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 people - mainly due to an increase in the flow of migrants (primarily from Ukraine, Slovakia, Vietnam, Russia, Poland and the countries of former Yugoslavia). Natural population growth was negative in the period 1994-2005; in 2006, some positive growth was observed 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 population reproduction (about 1.2 children per 1 woman of reproductive age). In recent years, the Czech Republic has become one of the countries with the lowest infant mortality rate (less than 4 people per 1000 births). Since 1990, the Czech Republic has seen a constant decrease in the number of abortions and cases of induced termination of pregnancy.

The majority of the population - 71.2% - is of productive age (from 15 to 65 years), while 14.4% of Czech citizens are under 15 years of age, and 14.5% are over 65 years of age. At the productive age, the number of men slightly exceeds the number of women, but in the post-productive age women significantly predominate (there is one man for every two women). The average age of the Czech population 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).

Most of the adult population is married, although the proportion of unmarried people is relatively high: one in five men and one in eight women are unmarried. Currently, men get married at 28 years old, women at 26 years old, which is approaching the European trend (for comparison: in 1993 these figures were 23 and 19 years old, respectively). The first child appears in a family most often 6 months after the wedding. Czech families are characterized by a high divorce rate. Currently, almost every second marriage ends in divorce, resulting in almost 80% of all children under the age of 15 living 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 makes up 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 service sectors - healthcare, education, trade and public 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 higher than in 1990-1997. (3-5%), but noticeably less than in 1999-2004. (up to 10.5%).

A significant part of Czechs live outside the Czech Republic - in Austria, Germany, the 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 coup of 1948 and the occupation of 1968.

Illiteracy in the Czech Republic is practically non-existent (occasionally found among older Roma people). A high level of literacy was typical for 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 significantly. 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. The typical worker has at least intermediate vocational training. The high qualifications 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 share of the population with completed secondary and higher education.

Culture

Orlik Castle

Main article: Czech culture

• 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 (CRC) is a humanitarian organization operating throughout the Czech Republic. In its activities, the ChKK focuses on humanitarian issues and the provision of medical and social assistance to the population.

Currently, the number of CHKK members reaches 70,381 people working in 1,712 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 services of the armed forces.

The status of the CCK 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 CCRC was recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and on October 25, 1993, accepted as a member of 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 (founded on September 5, 1868) and the Czechoslovak Red Cross Cross (founded February 6, 1919).

As an independent organization of the Czechoslovak Red Cross, 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)

The history of the Czech Republic goes back more than ten centuries. The lands of this state, located in the central part of the European continent, have always performed an important task.

The history of the land on which the Czech Republic is located begins with a mention of the most ancient population - the Celts. They inhabited the lands since the 4th century. From the 6th century, Slavic tribes settled in the territory, creating the principality of “Samo” in the 7th century.

Since 820, the territory of the present Czech Republic was occupied by the state of Great Moravia. The spread of Christianity in this territory is associated with its population. The ancestors of today's Slovaks and Czechs lived in Great Moravia.

Hungarian raids on the Great Moravian Empire led to the fall of the state. This happened at the beginning of the 10th century.

After the fall of Great Moravia, power passed into the hands of the Premysli family, which held it until 1306 (more than 400 years). During this period, the history of the Czech Republic develops in a direction that presupposes the formation of a state formation. The unification of the Czech state was achieved by 995 by the princely Přemyslid dynasty.

Emperor Frederick 2 (ruler of the Sacred Church signed the Sicilian Bull decree in 1212. In it, the Czech Republic was recognized as a kingdom.

The history of the state from the mid-12th century was marked by the beginning of cultural and economic development, which was actively supported by German colonists.

In the period from 13th to 13th century the kingdom was significantly strengthened. The history of the Czech Republic in this era testifies to the economic power and significant expansion of the state's territory.

In the 14th century, the Luxembourg dynasty took over the Czech crown. The first representative on the throne is John of Luxembourg, who ascended the throne in 1310. However, the new king did not pay much attention to the development of the state. His first son Wenceslas (the future Emperor Charles 4) was brought up at the French royal court. In 1346, John was killed at the Battle of Crecy. After the death of his father, Charles IV ascended the throne.

The history of the Czech Republic under the new ruler is characterized as a period of extraordinary growth. The main goal pursued by the new ruler was to strengthen the power and strength of the kingdom. During his reign, the history of Prague began. The ruler erected the New City of Prague and built the famous Charles Bridge. In addition, Charles 4 founded an archbishopric and the first university in the empire. The ruler attracted a huge number of artisans and artists to Prague and began rebuilding St. Vitus Cathedral.

After Charles 4, his son, Wenceslas 4, ascended the throne. During the reign of the new king, the Czech lands experienced economic depression.

The territorial boundaries of the state have remained virtually unchanged. Other lands became part of the country temporarily.

In the first half of the 16th century, against the backdrop of European opposition to the pressure of Turkey, the Czech classes were engaged in choosing a new ruler. As a result, the choice fell on Ferdinand 1 of Habsburg, who was a member of a very powerful family.

Except for the 12th century (the period of Czech independence), the country was under Austrian rule. The royal court was moved from Prague to Vienna.

The ruin of the Czech Republic occurred as a result of the confrontation between Czech Catholics and Protestants. As a result, by 1650, about 700 thousand inhabitants remained in the country (out of 2.5 million in 1618), thousands of settlements were destroyed and never recovered.

During the reign of Emperor Rudolf II, the royal court was again moved to Prague. Thus, the city again received the status of a capital.

In the Czech Republic, it began during the reign of her son Joseph 2. Thanks to the latter, in 1781 several reforms were carried out in the country to ease the situation of the population in villages.

The Austrian Empire was proclaimed by hereditary rights in 1804 by Franz 2. In 1848, after the suppression of the revolution, an absolute monarchy was established in the empire. However, some time later, in 1867, an agreement was signed between the Austrian Empire and Hungary. According to him, Austria-Hungary was formed. The Czech Republic did not receive autonomy.

The 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 from different eras.

From time immemorial, the country lay at the intersection of trade routes, which allowed it to absorb a great variety of unique traditions, the brightness and unusualness of music schools.

Amazing nature and a mild continental climate allow you to find thousands of opportunities for an unforgettable vacation.

Climate and weather

Like any other country located in the center of Europe, the climate in the Czech Republic is moderate. Only in winter are light frosts possible. There is little snowfall, which will guarantee the absence of slush in the off-season. However, in the mountains there will be plenty of snowdrifts for winter sports - at ski resorts there is snow for about six months. Summer in the Czech Republic is usually warm.

Nature

The nature of the Czech Republic will easily surprise even the most experienced tourist with its incredible diversity. The country's borders are represented by a chain of impassable mountain ranges. Traveling deep into the Czech Republic, you can observe uniquely beautiful mountain passes, giving way to vineyards, and endless meadows with crystal lakes. In short, the Czech Republic is ideal for lovers of sweet romance.

Attractions

The attractions of the Czech Republic are truly diverse. It's no wonder that it is one of the ten most visited countries in the world. Here there is everything that the soul of an inquisitive tourist can strive for: ancient cities with memorable architecture, magnificent nature, nature reserves and unique healing springs... It is pointless to list all the attractions of this country - it may take several days. Let's try to briefly look at the most popular ones.

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 where 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 visit” list. When locals say “Kutná Hora”, they first of all mean Church of All Saints. In this unique church, a 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! It is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, whose main attraction is Church of St. John. This ancient building is remarkable because it houses an ancient but still noteworthy organ. And the painted ceilings of the church are still its unique feature. In addition to the above-mentioned 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 resort where the entire Czech nobility recovered their health for many centuries. Two large factories are located here - Jan Becher and Krusovice. Is it worth introducing the drinks they produce - Karlovska Becherovka and the delicious Krušovice beer?

Nutrition

There is a lot to try in the Czech Republic! Czech cuisine is truly hearty and very varied. In a whole network of restaurants nestled along Prague's cobbled streets, you're sure to find a dish that suits your taste. These include various types of fried meat, aromatic 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 is worth highlighting 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, and 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 groomed hotel rooms.

Entertainment and relaxation

Agritourism. This type of entertainment arose relatively recently, but has already gained enviable popularity among sophisticated and not-so-sophisticated tourists. In the Czech Republic, only foreigners adhere to the strategy of holidays on farms, among whom houses on the border region with Austria and Germany are in greater demand.

By the way, Czech farmers make every effort to make such a vacation as comfortable and interesting as possible. Fishing, camping, hiking or horseback 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 recreation on the water. 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 fishing lovers. There are enough rivers and lakes in the country that are ideal for professional fishing.

Children's holiday. Prague Zoo is most popular among the youngest tourists. The establishment is located in one of the most prestigious areas of Prague - in Three. Here, wildlife lovers will be able to observe animals exotic for this area. Elephants and hippos, tigers and cheetahs, seals and giant turtles, giraffes and other equally amazing species are presented behind an ornate fence Prague Zoo.

Winter activities- this 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

When going to the Czech Republic, do not forget to calculate your budget for shopping trips. This truly amazing country can offer you a truly wide selection of luxury boutiques and branded clothing stores. Fans of “wild” shopping will appreciate the entire chain of discount stores selling European perfumes and cosmetics. In addition, the country still has small and cozy shops, coffee shops and bakeries that attract people with their national flavor.

Traditional souvenirs for tourists are considered to be Bohemian crystal, lace, beer mugs, embroidered clothes.

Transport

The most accessible and easiest way to get to the desired place here is to take an international or intercity bus and hit the road. However, it is worth noting that European public transport is expensive. By the way, a bus trip from Prague to Brno will cost 5.4 € and will 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 bus or train ticket online on specialized websites.

Taxi in the Czech Republic they are free, from 5 € per 1 km and the taxi driver will charge another 10 € for landing.

Connection

Mobile communications in the Czech Republic are no less accessible than in the CIS countries. Cooperation with a mobile operator would be optimal for tourists. Vodafone. You can buy a SIM card with a balance of 200 CZK for approximately 8 € at any newsstand.

Note that other operators offer a wider range of services and provide higher quality service, but have quite aggressive prices.

Safety

Anyone, especially novice tourists, should note that money, valuables and documents should be stored in a hotel safe or in a proper bank branch. Even though the Czech Republic is a safe country, cases of robbery are still possible. As a rule, gypsies and laborers engage in such illegal activities. In order to protect yourself from such precedents, avoid night walks in gypsy neighborhoods, and carry photocopies of securities and documents with you.

Let us remind you that medical and property insurance is mandatory for every tourist entering the country.

Business climate

Modern economic policy in EU countries involves government intervention in the market environment. It is generally accepted that this contributes to the economic growth of the country. The conditions for business development in the Czech Republic are quite favorable, because... The government is pursuing a completely adequate policy that does not impede the emergence of entrepreneurship. One of the most attractive advantages for Czech businessmen is the minimum of bureaucracy. Tax reduction for owners of developing small businesses is another undeniable advantage in this market segment.

Real estate

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, about 5 thousand €. A noteworthy fact is that utility bills in the Czech Republic are cheaper than in the CIS countries.

• When buying expensive souvenirs, keep your receipts, which you will need when crossing the border to prove that you are not exporting antiques.
• The good news is that when you purchase more than 100 € in Tax-free Shopping supermarkets, you can get back up to 22% of the amount spent.
• In the Czech Republic, it is customary to leave generous tips - from 10% of the total amount.

Visa information

The Czech Republic is part of the Schengen countries. If your passport contains a valid Schengen visa, you can cross the country’s borders by any type of transport without any obstacles.

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 specific country, which can only be reached through the territory of the Czech Republic. A long-term visa will be necessary if your goal is a long stay in the country. A short-term visa is the best option for tourist trips.

The package of documents for obtaining a visa is standard, but its submission is carried out only by appointment. The visa processing time is about five working days.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic can be found at: 123056, Moscow, st. Yu.Fuchika, 12/14.

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.

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.

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 (Sumava, Český Les, Krusne Mountains, Jizerske Mountains, Krkonoše Mountains, Orlícke Mountains, Kralický Snezík, 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).

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 prevails 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.

Several years ago, Prague earned the right to be called the center of European shopping. Local stores offer clothes and shoes at very reasonable prices, even in the city center. On Wenceslas Square in the Czech capital, tourists will find several dozen shops with a varied assortment at affordable prices. Fans of designer clothes and luxury brands will be able to dress up on Parizhskaya Street. It is very profitable to be in the Czech Republic during seasonal sales; prices are reduced by 2-3 times.

A wide variety of goods are brought from the Czech Republic, primarily, of course, beer and the famous liqueurs “Becherovka” and “Slivovitz”, absinthe. Indispensable souvenirs are beer mugs of all shapes and sizes. Unique Bohemian crystal is in constant demand. Those with a sweet tooth stock up on delicious Czech waffles with fillings. Jewelry lovers will find beautiful silver and garnet items here. When buying a magnificent Czech garnet, be sure to have a certificate confirming its authenticity.

Tourists are happy to buy ceramics, porcelain, and lace. Fashionistas and fashionistas will not ignore the hats from the Tonak factory, which have been sewn here since the end of the 16th century. Many people buy here exact copies of the hats of famous personalities, for example, Winston Churchill.

Ladies will not be able to pass by the amazing costume jewelry of the Preciosa factory, which is considered elite.

Children will be delighted with a variety of toys - puppets, porcelain dolls in national clothes, and they will be especially delighted with the plush mole, a famous cartoon character.

Women who want to get pregnant buy a figurine of the baby Jesus, called Ezulatko, it will help the woman fulfill her dream and will protect her child.

Medicinal salts are brought from Karlovy Vary, and romantics get an unusual and original souvenir - a salt rose, soaked in salts of mineral waters and frozen forever. At the resorts you can purchase medicinal cosmetics and original glassware for drinking mineral water from the springs.

When purchasing expensive items, do not forget to keep your receipts until customs control - they will prove that you are not exporting antiques.

A nice bonus - if you purchased goods worth more than €100 in stores with a Tax-free system, you will be refunded up to 25% of the purchase price, do not forget to fill out the necessary documents.

Kitchen

Beer is the calling card of the Czech Republic. Sophisticated connoisseurs of the foamy drink enjoy it in drinking establishments near breweries, for example, in Pilsen, Prague and Budujevice, and in the villages of Velkopopovice and Krušovice. In addition to breweries, many restaurants can boast of brewing beer.

From May 16 to June 1, Prague becomes a Mecca for beer lovers, who come here for the beer festival. At this time, you can get acquainted with the taste and hop qualities of more than 70 types of beer. The Czechs claim that their beer is as medicinal as their legendary mineral springs, and drink large mugs of it at any time of the day.

Each type of beer has its own characteristic taste, so it is very difficult to single out one as the best.

In ancient times, brewers settled at least a mile apart so as not to compete with each other. And if the public passed a verdict that a brewer’s beer was bad, then he was subjected to physical punishment and a serious fine. Thanks to such harsh measures, Czech beer has always been of excellent quality.

Beer in the Czech Republic is always served chilled to 6-10 degrees; it is believed that it is at this temperature that the intoxicating drink is tastier and more aromatic. The most common and famous varieties of Czech beer are Urgent Pilsner, Gambrinus, Staropramen, Krusovuce, Ferdinand. But in every establishment they will consider it an honor to let the guest try a unique variety, prepared only here: nettle, cherry, wheat and even coffee beer.

Beer in the Czech Republic is not just a drink. It is used in the preparation of many dishes, soups, dough is kneaded on it and sauces are made from it.

The popularity of Becherovka liqueur, infused with 42 herbs, has long gone beyond the borders of the Czech Republic. The liqueur is named after the pharmacist Joseph Becher, who created this drink in 1805 for medicinal purposes for use in stomach diseases. But the unique mild taste of the liqueur was appreciated not only by patients, and soon the drink became very popular. Only Karlovy Vary water is used in its production.

The most popular spirits are plum vodka and 72-proof absinthe with wormwood flavor.

Czech cuisine is quite diverse and has incorporated both elements of pan-European cuisine and national features. Tourists' favorite national dishes are goulash, fried sausages, onion or garlic stew, roast goose, meat rolls, sweet palachinka pancakes stuffed with chocolate mousse or jam. We also recommend trying stewed cabbage soup, soup baked in a loaf of bread, beef goulash with dumplings and the famous apple strudel. And with beer, take the famous bacon!

Czech cuisine is famous for its flour products, especially dumplings. Dumplings can serve both as a side dish and as a separate dish filled with minced meat or jam. A popular dish among Czechs is pork with stewed cabbage and dumplings.

• There is a funny landmark in Prague - a sculpture of two men pissing. Computer-controlled water jets display phrases from famous Prague residents.
• The famous polka dance is not of Polish, but of Czech origin. The name is derived from the Czech word for “half”, since the musical time signature of the dance is 2/4.
• In Prague you can walk along the Royal Route - here the Czech kings walked “to work” and back.
• Czech grammar is considered the most difficult in the world.
• The highest point in the Czech Republic is Mount Snezka with a height of 1602 meters.
• The Czech Republic has the highest level of beer consumption per capita - 160 liters per person per year.
• Prague Castle is the largest castle in the world.
• Every year in June, from the 19th to the 21st, the small town of Cesky Krumlov hosts a real carnival in honor of the Five-Petal Rose Festival, at which time the city plunges into the real Middle Ages. Historical costumes are brought here from all over the country, in which all the townspeople, young and old, dress up. Tourists can also take part in costumed events, torchlight processions, and buy unique souvenirs at the fair.

Tourist Information

To visit the Czech Republic you need a Schengen visa.

The country's currency is the Czech crown.

Grocery stores are open from 6 am, universal stores - from 9 am. Banks are open only on weekdays, and exchange offices are open daily.

Historical sites and museums are closed on Mondays and days following holidays.

Czech time is 2 hours behind Moscow time.

Important - smoking is prohibited in the country at bus stops and in public places. The fine for violating the ban is 42 €.

When visiting cafes, bars and restaurants, it is customary to leave the same tip as everywhere else in Europe - no more than 10%.

You can import into the country no more than 200 cigarettes, a liter of strong alcohol and 2 liters of wine, no more than 50 ml of perfume or 250 ml of eau de toilette, and medicines for personal consumption.

The Czech Republic is a completely safe country, where law and order is ensured by numerous police officers. But, as in any major tourist centers, no one is safe from theft of a wallet or valuables, so be vigilant.

Most streets in historical centers are paved with cobblestones, so it would be wise to stock up on comfortable low-heeled shoes.

When exploring cities on your own, be sure to purchase a map - not all buildings have numbers, but a map will allow you not to get lost and find the necessary attractions.

Transport

The country has developed intercity bus service. Bus passengers are required to wear seat belts.

The country also has an extensive railway network; all major cities can be reached by train or train. 50% discount on children's tickets.

Drivers with an international license and over 21 years of age can rent a car. You need to pay a deposit for the car. Remember to wear your seat belts and turn on your headlights during daytime.

You can get around the cities by public transport, which runs exactly on schedule. There is a metro in Prague. When traveling by taxi, it is advisable to agree on the price with the driver in advance, in order to avoid mutual misunderstanding at the end of the route.

Hotels

Czech hotel service meets European standards, its level directly correlates with the category of the hotel. Hotel rooms with one or two stars do not have bathrooms; they are shared by several rooms. Regardless of the category and size of the hotel, for breakfast you will always have muesli, coffee, tea, bagels with butter, cheese and several types of sausage.

Each hotel must confirm its rank every 4 years, so hotel owners take care of the appropriate quality.

In the Czech Republic there are fashionable hotels of global hotel chains, youth hotels, hostels, and private boarding houses; shelter can be found for any income, the main thing is to take care of accommodation in advance at the height of the tourist season.

Lovers of antiquity can stay in romantic castle hotels with their own ponds, gardens, and royal rooms for newlyweds. But this pleasure is not cheap - from 300 €.

In Prague, the cost of hotels is directly proportional to their proximity or distance from the center of the Czech capital.

Travelers by car are offered more than 200 campsites, modern and well-equipped, with running water, electricity, and laundry facilities on their territory.

Holidays

The most “important” holiday in the Czech Republic is Christmas, and the most fun and noisy holiday is Maslenitsa (in the rural outback it is celebrated jointly by all village residents). The celebration of the end of the harvest is called Dozhinok. In southern Moravia, the beginning of autumn fishing is celebrated in numerous ponds, many of which are over 400 years old.

Public holidays include:

• January 1 - New Year.
• Good Friday.
• Easter Monday.
• May 1 - Labor Day (in the Czech Republic this day is called the “holiday of love”).
• May 8 is the Day of the Czech Republic's liberation from fascism.
• July 5 is the Day of the Slavic Apostles Cyril and Methodius.
• July 6 is Jan Hus Memorial Day.
• October 28 - Independence Day. On this day in 1918, the Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed in Prague.
• December 25 and 26 - Christmas; on these days the shops are closed (and on December 24, Christmas Eve, they are open only until 14.00).

How to get there

Several Aeroflot and Czech Airlines planes fly from Russia to the Czech Republic every day from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Nizhny Novgorod. Ekaterinburg and other large cities. The most popular cities of arrival are Prague, Brno, Karlovy Vary. A train departs daily from the Belorussky Station in Moscow to the Czech Republic, the journey time is 32 hours.