Czech Republic: Former Bohemian Republic and Landlocked Country
The Czechs belonging to the Slav race founded the Bohemian Kingdom in the 10th century that lasted till the 16th century. The Czechs were later subjected to Hapsburg rule in the 16th century that got converted into the Austro-Hungarian Empire and lasted till 1912 when Czechoslovakia comprising Slovakia was created. After nearly four decades of communist rule beginning in 1948 the Velvet Revolution took place in 1989 under Vaclav Havel when Czechoslovakia finally shook off the communist yoke. The country was partitioned in 1993 into the present Czech Republic with capital Prague and Slovakia state. The Czech Republic has since made rapid progress, joining NATO in 1999, EU in 2004 and was declared a developed economy in 2006. Recently, in 2008 the Czech government agreed to the U.S. proposal of setting up an anti-missile defence shield on its soil. This move has greatly angered the Russians who view the defence shield as a direct threat to its influence in Central Asia.
Czech Republic Facts:
Czech Republic’s climate and weather is greatly influenced by its location and topography. The country experiences temperate climate with breezy summers and cloudy winters whereas the rainfall is generally influenced by the westerly winds. Prague experiences a temperature range between -1°C to 19°C in January and July respectively.
Czech Republic Economy and Culture:
Czech Republic has witnessed a complete economic turnaround since the Velvet Revolution in 1989 when it discarded orthodox economic principles and wholeheartedly embraced open economy model under its first President Vaclav Havel. The country today boasts of one of the most industrialised and stable economies of the ex-communist regimes. The primary industries of the Czech Republic include iron and steel, machine building, chemical production, electronics, textiles, ceramics and pharmaceuticals.
The Czech Republic population overwhelmingly comprises of Czechs whereas the Slovaks, Poles, Germans and Hungarians bring up the rear numerically. The Czech Republic is highly urbanised with over 75% of the population living in urban areas. Czechs love their sport and the national football team has excelled at the World Cup and the Euro Cup. Czech music features both, the Opera style as well as traditional Bohemian and Moravian music.
The Czechs are particularly partial to meat dishes hence greater emphasis on Pork, Beef and Chicken dishes. However, being a landlocked country fish is quite rare and served mainly during Christmas. Kokola is a unique non-alcoholic Czech soft drink with an uncanny resemblance is taste to coke.
Czech Republic Tourist Attractions:
The Czech Republic has many classical architectural architectures and tourist sites to revel in. Prague, the country’s capital is also Czech Republic’s principal tourists attraction with beautiful churches, towers, cathedrals and bridges. The Czech Republic houses 12 UNESCO world heritage sites such as the Gardens and Castle at Kromeriz, Historic Centre of Prague, Jewish Quarter in Trebic, St John Church at Zelena Hora and many more.
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