Tourism plays an important role in the economy, every year the Czechs earn more than 100 billion dollars from tourists. is 5.5% of the country's GDP. The tourism sector employs about 170,000 people, although this figure is clearly underestimated, because it does not include bartenders and waiters, shop assistants, and all these establishments work both for tourism and for the local population.

The Czech Republic receives about 9 million visitors a year. According to statistics for 2016, German citizens are in the lead among travelers - 1,880,000. Tourists come from Slovakia (645,000), Poland (543,000), USA (511,000), Great Britain (470,000). The Russians in this list are in 6th place - 406,000 tourists in 2016.

The attendance of the Czech Republic by tourists from China, South Korea, and Japan is growing at a tremendous pace. Do not be surprised if by 2020 in Prague you will see Chinese characters on shops and currency exchange offices.

What attracts tourists to the Czech Republic? What is the country proud of? What surprises visitors?

First, historical centuries-old monuments. Although not as long as the Greek, Chinese or Egyptian ones, there are a lot of monuments preserved here, and most of them are in excellent condition.

Having a thousand-year historical path behind it, the state is full of architecture of different styles and trends. These are more than 2 thousand castles, their ruins and palaces, among them the most popular are: Litomysl, Pardubice Castle, Jindrichuv Hradec, Star Summer Palace, Kromeriz Castle, Wallenstein Palace, Kinsky Palace.

Religious monuments in the Czech Republic fascinate with their grandeur and unique architectural solutions. This is the Cathedral of St. Wenceslas in Olomouc, the Church of St. James the Elder, and many others, like pearls scattered throughout the country. There are 11 Catholic cathedrals in the country.

Medical tourism is another strength of the Czech tourism industry. The healing springs of Karlovy Vary are famous all over the world. It is believed that the resort was founded here by Emperor Charles IV in 1350. Other destinations: Poděbrady, Jáchymov, peloid springs in Bechyn and Trebon, sulphurous-ferrous peloid springs in Lazne-Touseni, natural warm and hot water in Teplice and a few others.

The Czech Republic is one of the European "Meccas" of gastronomic tourism. Beer tours are in particular demand, when tourists are taken to breweries and tastings. However, there are so many types of beer in the Czech Republic that even during the longest beer tour you won’t be able to taste all of them.

Gaining momentum ski vacation. Unfortunately, the country cannot boast of high mountains, in this area it is difficult for the Czechs to compete with neighboring Austria and Switzerland. There are mountains in the Czech Republic - these are the Sudeten Mountains, the highest point of the country is Mount Snezhka (1602 meters). Some ski resorts are located in the hills of Moravia. most developed ski resort The country is now Pec pod Snezkoy.

How it all started
The second name of the Czech Republic is Bohemia. It originated from the ancient Celtic tribe of Boi, who inhabited the territory of modern North Bohemia in prehistoric times. Then the German tribes of the Marcomanni came to replace the Celts, and in the 5th century they were replaced by the Slavs, from whom the modern Czechs descended.
The Slavic state, which reached its peak by the beginning of the 11th century and was called Great Moravia, has a very strange fate. Firstly, none of the historians can say exactly where the capital of this state was located. Secondly, despite the fact that Great Moravia had a rather impressive territory (it included Slovakia, Bohemia, as well as part of present-day Austria and Hungary), this state 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, in the period from the 10th to the 14th century, a new unification of the country takes place. One of the most significant figures of this dynasty was Prince Wenceslas I, who was later canonized and considered the heavenly patron of the Czech Republic. The emergence of the capital of the Czech state, the city of Prague, is associated with the same period. According to an old legend, this event was predicted by Princess Libuse, the mythological founder of the Přemyslid family. Looking from the steep bank of the Vltava River at the place where Prague is now located, she prophetically exclaimed: “I see a golden city, its glory will ascend to the stars!” Of course, a legend is a legend, and historians, as always, have their own opinion on this issue: they believe that Prague became the capital after Prince Přemyslidovich-Borzevoy moved his residence here.
Despite the fact that Bohemia (namely, as the Czech Republic was called in the old days) had its own princely dynasty, it was part of the German Empire. The situation changed in the second half of the 12th century, during the reign of Prince Přemysl Ottakar II. He managed not only to get out of the subordination of the German Empire and establish autocracy in Bohemia, but also to expand the boundaries of his possessions, adding Austria, Styria, Carinthia and Krajina to the Czech lands. True, the triumph of Přemysl did not last long: the prince died in the war for the German crown that followed these events.

Luxembourg
Following Přemysl Ottakar II, another representative of the Přemyslid family, Prince Wenceslas III, was killed in the Czech city of Olomouc. The dynasty has ceased to exist. The question of who should rule next was soon resolved: in 1310, the wedding of 14-year-old John of Luxembourg took place to the 18-year-old daughter of Wenceslas III Eliska (Elizabeth). Despite his young age, which, however, was in the order of things, John annexed Cheb and a significant part of Silesia to Bohemia. All together, the new regions began to be called the lands of the Czech crown.
John of Luxembourg was a good king, but he had one fatal weakness for himself: he loved to fight. When there were no wars and skirmishes in his own state, he went after them to other countries. Naturally, this passion did not lead to anything good: in 1346, John died at the Battle of Crecy, opposing the British on the side of the French.
The throne passed to John's son Charles IV, who was crowned Holy Roman Emperor. The personality of this ruler is so interesting that it deserves a separate discussion. Charles was a more practical and less ambitious ruler than his father, and took a keen interest in all the political affairs of his country. The biography of Charles IV is full of interesting facts. So, for example, few people know that the Czech king had a completely different name: at birth he was called Wenceslas IV, but since he was brought up at the French court, they began to call him Charles there. Incidentally, this fact is the reason why Charles IV is sometimes confused with his son, also named Wenceslas IV.
Charles IV came to the throne, almost a child. He did not know the Czech language at all, and he was immediately surrounded by many evil advisers who wanted to usurp power, formally leaving the young king to rule. However, despite his age, Karl turned out to be a very subtle and intelligent politician. Having unraveled the plans of his treacherous henchmen, he learned the Czech language in a very short time and took the reins of government into his own hands.
Charles IV is called the father of the Czech people. Indeed, this wise and enlightened ruler did a lot for his country, and the times of his reign became the zenith of the power and prosperity of the Czech Republic. It was under him that the first Charles University in Central Europe was created, the Charles Bridge and the magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague were built, as well as many churches and monasteries throughout the Czech Republic. In those days, Prague was considered the third city of the Christian West after Rome and Constantinople. A gilded plaque on the Old City Hall reads: "Prague the head of the empire." The emperor came up with a plan for the Prague New Town and personally supervised the construction; Karlštejn Castle and Karlovy Vary Spa were also named after Charles IV. Among the merits of Charles should be attributed to the beginning of winemaking in the Czech Republic.

Period of the Hussite Wars
After the death of Charles IV, his eldest son Wenceslas IV became the owner of the Czech crown. The period of his reign was marked by economic, national and religious conflicts. The prerequisites for these conflicts arose under Charles IV. The fact is that, being a very pious person and, moreover, having influential friends in Vatican circles, Charles actively supported the clergy. At the end of his reign, it had such wealth and privileges that it could not but cause discontent among the population of the country.
In order for these public sentiments to develop into something more, an ideological leader was needed. And such a person soon appeared. Jan Hus, a teacher of theology at the University of Prague, became them. In his sermons, which took place in the Bethlehem chapel, Hus condemned the corruption of the clergy, called for depriving the church of its property and subordinating it to secular power, demanded reform of the church, and opposed German dominance in the Czech Republic. Further fate Jan Hus is known to everyone. At first he was excommunicated, but despite this, he continued to secretly preach in Czech towns. Then, by decision of the church council, which was held in German city Constance, Hus was sentenced to death. The execution of Hus took place on July 6 (now this day is a public holiday in the Czech Republic). Every Czech first-grader knows the last words of the great reformer, which he uttered after he was last asked to abandon his ideas: “I will not renounce!” The execution of Jan Hus was the spark that ignited the flames of the 20-year Hussite wars. This revolution left a deep mark on the history of the country, but did not lead to any significant results. By compromising with the Reformationists, the church fulfilled only social, not religious, demands.

Habsburgs
In 1526, 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 visible and striking mark in the history of the Czech Republic was Rudolf II. Of course, he was a man with an extraordinary and interesting character. He kept a lion as a pet and was an art lover and mystic. Rudolph 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 connected with the supernatural led Prague to become the world capital of alchemy for almost thirty years. Magicians and alchemists flocked here from all over Europe in the hope of obtaining the patronage of the emperor.
Rudolf II was the only representative of the Habsburg dynasty who wished to move to Prague (the rest of the Habsburgs ruled the country from Vienna). As once under Charles IV, and during the reign of Rudolf, the capital of the Czech state became the cultural center of the Holy Roman Empire. Many Baroque buildings were built here, including the Loreta Church and the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. In 1611, under pressure from relatives, Rudolf II was forced to abdicate in favor of his brother Matthias. The fact is that the emperor suffered from a severe form of syphilis, accompanied by dementia.
Subsequent representatives of the Habsburg family began to pursue a policy of tightening the screws: one after another, all the liberties for which the loyal and democratic Rudolf II was so generous were canceled. In 1618, the political situation in the country escalated so much that it resulted in an event called the “Second Prague Window Throwing”: a group of 27 Bohemian nobles threw two imperial governors and their secretaries out of the windows of the royal palace. This uprising was one of the reasons for the beginning of the Thirty Years' War Protestant Bohemia rebelled against Catholic Austria. The decisive battle in this war was the battle of the White Mountain, which the Protestants lost. More than 30,000 Protestant families were forced to leave the country, and Prague turned into a provincial town for many years. In the history of the Czech Republic, a "dark era" of economic and cultural stagnation began. During this period, the German language becomes the official language of the state, all key positions in the state pass to the Germans, they also occupy a leading position in the economy. Many Czech nobles and intellectuals are leaving the country.

Awakening the nation
The reign of the Austrian Archduchess Maria Theresa was marked by the awakening of national identity, the whole country was engulfed by peasant uprisings. Under the emperors Joseph II and Leopold II, Czech culture was revived: performances in the Czech language were staged in theaters, and the works of the historian Frantisek Palacky were published. Well aware of the threat created for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Emperor Franz Joseph is trying to stop the revolutionary mood in the country, but he fails to do so.

World War I and the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Already during the First World War, such prominent political figures of the Czech Republic as T. Masaryk, E. Beneš and M. Stefanik found refuge first in Switzerland and then in Paris. They manage to convince the allies of the need to create an independent Slavic state between Germany and Austria.
At the end of the war, on October 28, 1918, a significant event took place: the Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed in Prague. On November 14 of the same year, its first president, Tomasz Masaryk, was elected. In 1935, Eduard Benes replaced him in this post.

The Second World War
However, the newly formed state did not last long. After the conclusion of the so-called Munich Treaty of 1938, Nazi Germany seized the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia, populated mainly by Germans. On March 14, 1939, Slovakia declared its independence, and the very next day, fascist troops invaded the territory of the Czech Republic. More than 300,000 Czechs and Slovaks died in the camps of the Third Reich, and 200,000 Czechoslovak Jews were killed by the invaders.

The period of communism and the "Prague Spring"
On May 5, 1945, the Red Army liberated the Czech Republic from the German invaders. Shortly after the Second World War, the Czechoslovak Republic fell into the sphere of influence of the USSR. The democratic parties failed to resist the communists, who received 40% of the vote in the 1946 elections.
Among the 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 to the territory of Czechoslovakia.

Regime change and the collapse of Czechoslovakia
Mass protests and demonstrations that swept the country in the late 80s of the twentieth century were called the "Velvet Revolution". A general strike followed, leading to regime change. The playwright and former dissident Vaclav Havel became the new president of Czechoslovakia.
On January 1, 1993, due to "insurmountable contradictions", the Czechoslovak state was peacefully divided into two independent Republics - the Czech Republic and Slovakia. These states have always adhered to different political courses: while Slovakia was guided by the policy of Moscow, the Czech Republic was equal to the European countries. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and became a member of the EU in 2004. On December 21, 2007, the Czech Republic joined the countries that are members of the Schengen Agreement. This means that with Czech visa you will be able to freely travel around the cities and villages of other European states included in the above agreement. By train or by renting a car. The latter option, of course, is better, because it allows you to independently develop an interesting route option for you, change the scenario during the trip and generally feel free from any schedules and whims of strangers during your own vacation. It is best to drive around Germany and Austria, combining visits to large cities with small provincial ones in order to fully experience the flavor of local life.

Official country name: Czech Republic

National flag: stripes of white and red with a blue triangle.

National holiday- October 28 - exit from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the foundation of an independent state of the Czech Republic.

Capital of the Czech Republic - Prague, with a population of over 1,250,000

The largest cities in the Czech Republic:

• Brno - about 390,000 inhabitants;
• Ostrava - about 330,000 inhabitants;
• Pilsen - about 175,000 inhabitants;
• Olomouc - about 106,000 inhabitants;
• Usti nad Labem - about 106,000 inhabitants;
• Liberec - about 104,000 inhabitants.

The population of the Czech Republic about 11 million people.
National composition- 81.3% Czechs, 13.7% inhabitants of Moravia and Silesia, 3.1% Slovaks, 0.6% Poles, 0.5% Germans, 0.3% Gypsies, 0.2% Hungarians.
Official language: Czech, belonging to the group of West Slavic languages ​​related to Russian.
Territory: 78,864 sq. km
Geographically, the Czech Republic is located in the central part of the European continent. Between the cities of Pilsen and Cheb, there is even a granite obelisk with the inscription "Center of Europe".
It borders: in the north - with Poland, in the east - with Slovakia, in the south - with Austria and in the west - with Germany.
The Czech Republic includes the historical regions of Moravia, Bohemia and Silesia, characterized by an unusually beautiful landscape. Low mountain ranges stretch along all the borders of the Czech Republic.
The largest river in the Czech Republic is the Vltava, which is 440 km long.
Administrative division- 73 regions and 4 municipalities.
The country has a long and rich history.
The first Czech state arose already at the end of the 9th century, when the process of unification of Slavic tribes began on the territory of the Czech Republic. Despite its rather turbulent history, often associated with both medieval and modern wars, about 2,500 ancient castles and towns have survived to this day in the Czech Republic.
Politically, the Czech Republic is a parliamentary republic. The highest official in the Czech Republic is the President of the Republic, elected by Parliament for a term of 5 years (since February 1993 - Vaclav Havel, re-elected in 1998, the next elections in 2003).
The President approves the composition of the Czech government proposed by the Chamber of Deputies.
The bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
Both chambers are directly elected by the people.
Deputies are elected for 4 years, and senators - for 6 years, while every 2 years 1/3 of the senators are re-elected.
Citizens of the Czech Republic over the age of 18 have the right to vote. Citizens of the Czech Republic from 21 years old - to the Parliament, and from 40 years old - to the Senate have the right to be elected.
IN settlements also every 4 years elections are held for local councils (representative bodies) and elders (in large settlements they are called "primators").
The highest executive body is the government. The head of government is the Prime Minister (currently Milos Zeman).
In 1995, the Czech Republic became a member of the International Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Since the autumn of 1997, active preparations have been underway for accession to the European Union.
On March 12, 1999, the Czech Republic joined NATO.

Czech Republic \Geography

The Czech Republic is located in the very center of Central Europe.
In the north it borders on Poland (the length of the border is 658 km), in the north and west on Germany (the length of the border is 646 km), in the south - on Austria (the length of the border is 362 km), in the east - on Slovakia (the length of the border is 214 km). .).
The total length of the border is 1,880 km.
The total area of ​​the country is about 80,000 sq. km.
The territory of the country includes the historical regions of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, which are distinguished by a diverse landscape.
Low mountain ranges stretch along almost all the borders of the Czech Republic. The Krkonoše stretches for 40 km. across the territory of Bohemia, creating a natural border between the Czech Republic and Poland. The highest peak of Sniezka (1602 m). Several other peaks exceed 1500 m.
In the north and northwest, the natural boundary is the Ore Mountains.
The second highest mountain range in the Czech Republic is the Hrubý Jesenik, the highest high point- Praded Peak (1491 m), located in northern Moravia.
The third highest mountain range in the Czech Republic is the Šumava, the highest point is Plechy Peak (1373 m). Šumava stretches for 125 km. into southwestern Bohemia and creates a natural border with Germany.
Inside this peculiar ring there are two large lowlands - Polabskaya in the northwest and the valley of the Morava River (part of the Middle Danube Plain) - in the southeast. Between them is a low (up to 836 m) Bohemian-Moravian Upland.
Main rivers: Vltava (length 440 km.), Morava, Laba (Elbe), Oder.
The Czech Republic is not very rich in minerals. On its territory there are reserves of coal, various types of clay used for the production of ceramics, bricks, as well as reserves of building stone, deposits of semi-precious stones (garnets, agates). Of great importance are deposits of glass sands, which are used in the manufacture of the famous Czech glass and crystal.
In the bowels of the country is a large number of healing mineral waters, which led to the development of resorts.
Climate
The climate of the Czech Republic is temperate continental, and the continental character of the climate intensifies in an easterly direction.
The ruggedness of the relief has a significant impact on the climate of individual regions. The differences in summer temperatures are especially great. So, if in the Danubian and Potis lowlands the average July temperature reaches 20 degrees, then in the elevated areas of the Czech massif it does not exceed 13-15 degrees.
The average January temperature drops to -7-8 degrees in the mountains, on the plains and uplands it is -2-4 degrees.
In general, in most parts of the country falls annually from 500 to 700 mm. precipitation.
Vegetable world
Coniferous-wooded type of vegetation prevails in the mountains. On the flat terrain, deciduous forests of oak, beech, ash, and maple are more common.
Animal world
Among the representatives of the relatively poor fauna, one can single out a brown bear, a fox, a wild boar, a wolf, and a chamois.

Czech Republic \State Administration

The Czech Republic is a presidential republic.
The head of state is the president (since February 1993 - Vaclav Havel, re-elected in 1998).
The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The President is elected for a term of five years by a joint session of both Houses of Parliament. Continuous tenure as President of the Czech Republic can be no more than two consecutive terms.
He has the power to veto any decree passed by Parliament, with the exception of constitutional decrees.
Legislative power belongs to the Parliament, which consists of 2 chambers - the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. Parliament approves all decrees valid on the territory of the Czech Republic, authorizes the most important acts of the state such as declaring war or approving the deployment of foreign armies on Czech territory.
The Chamber of Deputies has 200 representatives who are elected for a term of four years. The President may dissolve the Chamber of Deputies in cases specified by the constitution.
The Senate consists of 81 senators who are elected for six-year terms. One third of the Senate is re-elected every two years. The Senate cannot be dissolved. Elections to the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate are held by closed ballots on the basis of general, equal and direct voting.
The Chamber of Deputies is elected on the basis of proportional representation. Political parties must receive at least five percent of the popular vote to win seats in the House.
The Senate is elected by majority vote. All citizens of the Czech Republic over the age of 18 are eligible to vote.
Candidates for the Chamber of Deputies must be at least 21 years of age, while candidates for the Senate must be at least 40 years of age.
The highest executive body is the government. It consists of the Prime Minister and ministers who coordinate the activities of ministries and central bodies of state administration throughout the state. The government has an exclusive legislative initiative within the limits of the state budget.
There are more than 80 political parties and movements in the country. There are more than 200 youth organizations.
The Supreme Audit Organization is an independent control agency that implements the use of state property and the implementation of the state budget. This organization reviews the ways in which the state budget of the Czech Republic is created and used.
The Czech National Bank is the central state bank of the Czech Republic. The main goal of the bank is to maintain and stabilize the purchasing power of the currency and, in fulfilling this goal, the bank does not depend on the Cabinet of the Czech Government. The president and executive bodies of the bank are appointed by the head of state.
The Constitutional Court is founded to protect constitutional rights. The Court consists of 15 judges appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate for ten years.
The Supreme Court is the highest legal body for all matters within the jurisdiction of the courts.

Czech Republic \Population

The population of the Czech Republic at the beginning of 2001 is about 10,272,000 people, which is 0.08% less than in the previous year.

Average life expectancy in 2000 was:

• for men - 71 years old,
• for women - 78 years.

The infant mortality rate is 5.6%, 1% less than in 1999, which is one of the lowest levels in Europe.

By ethnic composition:

• Czechs - 81.2%,
• Moravians - 13.2%,
• Slovaks - 3.1%,
• Poles - 0.6%,
• Germans - 0.5%,
• Silesians - 0.4%,
• gypsies - 0.3%,
• Hungarians - 0.2%,
• other ethnic groups - 0.5%.

Population density - 130 people. per sq. km.

The working-age population is 5,389,000 people, the unemployment rate is 9%.

33.1% of the able-bodied population is employed in industry, 6.9% in agriculture, 9.1% in construction, 7.2% in the transport sector, and 43.7% in the service sector.

The most widely spoken languages ​​are Czech and Slovak, which belong to the West Slavic language group.

75% of the population lives in cities, including:

• in Prague - about 1,300,000,
• in Brno - 390,000,
• in Ostrava - 330,000,
• to Pilsen - 175,000.

IN last years immigration from the republics of the former Soviet Union has become a big problem for the Czech Republic. Moreover, the bulk of the visitors are illegal immigrants. According to various estimates, their number is about 3-4% of the main population. This influx of immigrants competing in the labor market with the native population, and the growth of organized crime associated with immigrants, led to a tightening of the state's immigration policy.
In 1999, a new law on the stay of foreigners in the Czech Republic was adopted (entered into force on January 1, 2000), according to which, in particular, a foreigner can obtain a permanent residence permit in the Czech Republic after 10 years of residence in the country upon fulfillment a range of conditions. In addition, it contains a number of other fairly stringent restrictions on the stay of foreigners. This law caused a negative reaction from the European Commission of Human Rights.
Currently, the Czech Parliament has prepared amendments to this law, which will somewhat soften the requirements for visitors to the country. They will come into effect in mid-2001.

Czech Republic \Religion

The Czech Republic is a secular republic.
The history of the Czech Republic as an independent state is dramatic. She lost her sovereignty for a long time as a result of becoming part of stronger states that imposed their religion on her, which ultimately led to the fact that the Czech Republic is the most atheistic state in Europe. According to a survey by the world's largest sociological service "Gallup International", 55% of the Czech population do not identify themselves with any Church. The Czech Republic ranks 2nd in the world and 1st in Europe in terms of the proportion of atheists out of 60 countries where the survey was conducted.
27.1% of the inhabitants of the Czech Republic, according to a pan-European survey in 1991, trust the church - this is the lowest figure among all European countries (and almost twice as low as in neighboring Slovakia).
The main denomination in terms of the number of believers is the Catholic Church - 86.6% of the total number of believers.
Catholicism finally took shape as a creed after the separation of the churches in 1054. The Catholic Church is strictly centralized, has a single center in the state of the Vatican, a single head - the Pope, a strict church hierarchy and discipline. Catholics recognize (unlike Protestants) as the source of doctrine not only Holy Scripture, but also Holy Tradition, which in Catholicism (unlike Orthodoxy) includes both the decrees of the ecumenical councils of the Catholic Church and the judgments of the popes. The clergy in Catholicism take a vow of celibacy (celibacy). A feature of Catholicism is also the veneration of the Mother of God, the recognition of the dogmas of her immaculate conception and bodily ascension, the addition of the filioque to the creed (from the Latin Filioque - "and from the son"). An addition made in the 7th century by the Western Christian Church to the Christian "Creed" of the 4th century, in the dogma of the Trinity: about the procession of the Holy Spirit not only from God the Father, but also from the Son. The Orthodox Church did not accept the Filioque, which later served as one of the reasons for the division of the churches. Thus, the Catholic Church claims that the Holy Spirit proceeds from "the Father and the Son." The Orthodox Church believes that the Holy Spirit only fulfills the will of God the Father, the dogma of purgatory.
The second largest confession in the number of believers is Protestantism - 11.1% of the total number of believers.
Of these, about 7%, according to the latest data, belong to the Hussites, evangelical reformers - 4%, Lutherans - 0.1%.
Protestantism is a collection of numerous and independent churches and sects, connected only by their origin. The emergence of Protestantism is associated with the Reformation - a powerful anti-Catholic movement in the 16th century in Europe. In 1526, the Reichstag of Speyr, at the request of the German Lutheran princes, adopted a resolution on the right of everyone to choose a religion for themselves and their subjects. The Second Reichstag of Speyr in 1529 reversed this decree. In response, there was a protest from five princes and a number of imperial cities, from which the term "Protestantism" is derived. Protestantism shares Christian ideas about the existence of God, his trinity, about the immortality of the soul, hell and heaven, rejecting, however, the Catholic idea of ​​purgatory. At the same time, Protestantism put forward three new principles: salvation by personal faith, the priesthood of all believers, and the exclusive authority of Holy Scripture. A clergyman is deprived of the right to confess and forgive sins, he is accountable to the Protestant community. In Protestantism, many sacraments are abolished (with the exception of baptism and communion), there is no celibacy. Prayer houses have been freed from altars, icons, statues, and bells. There are no monasteries and monasticism. Worship in Protestantism is simplified as much as possible and reduced to preaching, prayer and singing psalms and hymns in the native language. The Bible is recognized as the only source of dogma, and sacred tradition is rejected.
A feature of the religious life of the Czech Republic is the Czech Reformed Church (Hussite). Supporters of the Reformation in the Czech Republic and Slovenia in the 1st half of the 15th century were members of the Hussite movement and followers of Jan Hus and other popular preachers.
As an independent denomination, it was formed in 1920 after a break with the Pope. In 1920, Rome was adamant in condemning Jan Hus and his teachings, which served as a signal for the formation of the Hussite church immediately after Czechoslovakia gained independence. Now many Czech Catholics are coming to the conclusion that it is necessary to canonize Hus in order to preserve and increase the influence of the Catholic Church.
The Czech Orthodox Church, to which 1.7% of the total number of believers belong, is part of the Churches of Ecumenical Orthodoxy (Ecumenical Orthodoxy is a collection of local Churches that have the same dogmas and a similar canonical structure, recognize the sacraments of each other and are in communion), founded on the territory of the Czech Republic (in Moravia) in 863 by the work of Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius. After their death, Orthodoxy remained only within the boundaries of the Diocese of Mukachevo, but in 1649 this diocese also entered into union with the Catholic Church. Only in 1920, thanks to the Serbian initiative, Orthodox parishes under Serbian jurisdiction reappeared in the Carpathians. After World War II, they turned to the Moscow Patriarchate for help and were organized first into an exarchate, and from 1951 into the Autocephalous (independent) Czechoslovak Orthodox Church.
Orthodoxy arose on the territory of the Byzantine Empire. Initially, it did not have a church center, since the church power of Byzantium was concentrated in the hands of four patriarchs: Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem. As the Byzantine Empire collapsed, each of the ruling patriarchs headed an independent (autocephalous) Orthodox Church. The most important postulates of Orthodox doctrine are the dogmas of the trinity of God, the incarnation, redemption, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. It is believed that dogmas are not subject to change and clarification, not only in content, but also in form. Orthodoxy is characterized by a complex, elaborate cult. Divine services are longer than in other Christian denominations, and include a large number of rituals. The main service in Orthodoxy is the liturgy. The main holiday is Easter. Divine services are conducted in national languages; some denominations also use dead languages. The clergy in Orthodoxy is divided into white (married parish priests) and black (monastics who take a vow of celibacy). There are male and female monasteries. Only a monk can become a bishop.

Czech Republic \Politics

Until 1989, there were two ruling pariahs in Czechoslovakia: the Communist Party and the National Front.
On November 17, 1989, the "Velvet Revolution" began in Czechoslovakia, when student youth gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Jan Opletal, a student killed by the Nazis. The student demonstration led to the start of a strike, which in turn led to the founding of the "Civil Forum", a social movement that brought together all the opposition currents in Czechoslovakia. The future president of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel, was at that moment the recognized leader of the dissident movement.
"Civil Forum" became a political body that won the next elections. It became the basis for the formation of all the main political parties of today's Czech Republic.
On November 29, 1989, the Czechoslovak Parliament abolished the article of the constitution on the leading role of the Communist Party in society.
On January 1, 1993, the Czech Republic becomes an independent parliamentary republic.
The president in the Czech Republic is elected by the parliament, and only the person who receives the most votes in each of the chambers can become president.
On December 29, 1989, Vaclav Havel was elected president of Czechoslovakia, in 1989-1993 he was president of the Czechoslovak Federation, since 1993 - the Czech Republic.
Vaclav Havel - playwright, philosopher, dissident, was born on October 6, 1936 in one of the richest families of the first ("bourgeois") Czechoslovak Republic. In the early 60s, he became a well-known playwright in the theatrical environment, appeared in the samizdat press, and after 1968 became one of the leaders of the dissident movement in Czechoslovakia. He was repeatedly arrested and spent several years in prison. One of the founders of the platform of independent thinking - "Charter-77", which was signed by 241 people.
There are currently two ruling parties in the Czech Republic: the Social Democratic and the Civil Democratic. in the 2000 elections. The Social Democratic Party surpassed the Civic Democratic Party in popularity.
According to the Constitution, the Senate, the upper house of the Czech Parliament, does not control the activities of the government.
Most of the senatorial seats following the November 2000 Senate elections belong to the so-called "Coalition of Four" - a coalition of opposition parties - the Freedom Union, the Christian Democrats, the Civic Democratic Alliance and the Democratic Union.
As a result of the disappointment of some part of society in economic and democratic reforms, the Communist Party of the Czech Republic has strengthened its position: in the polls of the last months of 2000, it has the sympathy of 20% of the population.
The only parliamentary religious party, the Christian Democratic Union - the Czechoslovak People's Party, has only 20 seats out of 200 in parliament, behind even the not particularly influential Communist Party in the Czech Republic. The Christian Democrats maintain their influence in the Czech Republic through a merger in 1992 with the Czechoslovak People's Party, which existed in 1918-1938 and was part of the National Front in 1948-1989.
There is an Ecological Party in the Czech Republic, its radical part is especially active. In addition to her annual fight against the Temelin nuclear power plant, there were also the largest demonstrations in Eastern Europe against multinational corporations, which resulted in street clashes with the police.
Currently, there are more than 80 different parties and about 200 youth organizations in the Czech Republic.
Article 3 of the Czech Constitution of 1992 states that the "Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms" is part of the constitutional order of the Czech Republic.
The principle that allows everyone to do everything that is not prohibited by law is written in part 4 of article 2 of the 1992 Czech Constitution.
In the Czech Republic, a law on lustration (the law on crime under the communist regime) has been adopted and is in force. The extension of its validity refused to sign the President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel. However, this refusal was overcome by a qualified majority of the Czech parliament, after which the law came into force. In the years since the Velvet Revolution, there has not been a single case when a former functionary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia became a government official.
The European Commission concluded that Czech legislation is inconsistent with the so-called axis, that is, with the set of European norms that act as "umbrella norms" in the countries of the European Union. One of the comments to the Czech Republic is the existence of a law on lustration.
The results of a sociological survey conducted by the Sofres-Faktum agency in April 2000 showed that 53.5% of those polled voted for Havel's early resignation.
In 2002 elections of deputies of the House of Representatives of the Czech Parliament will take place.
Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Milos Zeman was born on September 28, 1944 in Kolin. During the events of the "Prague Spring" in 1968, he joined the Communist Party led by Dubcek, after the occupation of Czechoslovakia he was expelled from it for his sharp criticism of the "normalization" regime. During the Velvet Revolution of 1989, he was active in the center-left wing of the Civil Forum. In 1990 he was elected to the Federal Assembly. In 1992, he joined the ChSDP and was re-elected a deputy of the Federal Assembly from this party. June 26, 1996 became

Czech Republic \Economy

Since the middle of the 19th century, the Czech Republic has been one of the most industrialized countries in Europe. The leading industries were textile, food, mining, metallurgical, machine-building. In 1861, the length of the railway network was about 700 km, and in the 90s it was already 4596 km. In 1869, the first proper Czech bank was opened - Zivnostensky Bank.
In the twentieth century, the industrial development of the Czech Republic continued.
Mechanical engineering, metalworking, the electrical industry, the chemical industry, as well as the textile and clothing industry are the most developed industries in the Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic is considered the richest country in Central Europe, the most industrialized and with the smallest share of agriculture in its gross domestic product. According to 1997 data, per capita GDP in the Czech Republic was $5050 (for comparison: in Hungary - $4415, in Poland - $3512). Among the post-communist states, the Czech Republic currently ranks second in terms of living standards after Slovenia.
The level of consumer prices in the Czech Republic in 2000 increased by 4% compared to 1999. Currently, the average family spends from its budget on: food - 21.3%, transport - 12.2%, rent - 10.8%, water, electricity, gas - 10.4%, recreation and culture - 9, 9%, alcoholic beverages - 9%, clothing and footwear - 6.7%, visiting restaurants and household services - 5.2%, home improvement - 5.2%, other household services - 5.1%, post and telecommunications - 2%, maintaining health - 1.2%, education - 0.5%.
In the Czech Republic, there are 358 cars per 1,000 people.
About 500 thousand people are regular Internet users (the population of the Czech Republic is 10.2 million people).
The Czech industry is equipped with modern equipment and a skilled workforce. However, in terms of growth rates, the Czech Republic is seriously behind Hungary and Poland and cannot expect to join the European Union with them in 2004. The average monthly salary in the Czech Republic as of March 2000 was 354 in US dollars (for comparison: in Slovenia - 881, in Croatia - 608, in Poland - 487). The unemployment rate in December 2000 was 8.8%.
After the "Velvet Revolution" in 1989, the country carried out large-scale economic reforms, which were based on voucher privatization of enterprises, attraction of foreign investors, liberalization of prices and foreign trade, devaluation of the Czech crown. As a result of the reforms, there has been an increase in industrial production, and the pace of investment has increased. However, the mistakes made in the process of reforms led to a significant decline in the development of the economy and a decline in GDP.
In 1997, the growth of the Czech economy slowed down, the country entered a period of stagnation, in which it is currently.
To stabilize the development of the economy, the leadership of the Czech Republic took a number of measures aimed at raising industrial production, increasing investment inflows and increasing exports. Thus, in April 1999, the government adopted an industrial plan to stabilize the situation at about ten vital enterprises of the country. The list of companies eligible to participate in the program included: Aliachem, CKD Praha, Spolana, Skoda Plzen, Tatra, Vitkovice, Zetor and ZPS Zlin.
A maximum favored nation regime has been created to increase investment in the Czech economy. Investors who allocate more than 10 million USD to the development of the industry are exempt from taxes for up to 10 years, receive grants in the amount of 100 USD for each job created, and have the right to import equipment duty-free. Special benefits are provided for companies intending to make long-term investments. As a result, 47,000 foreign companies operate in the republic.
In total investment in the Czech economy, the share of the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is 97%, EU member countries - 68% and G7 countries - 57%. According to experts, at the beginning of 2000, the volume of foreign direct investment in the Czech economy amounted to 15.5 billion USD. So, in 1997 they received 1.3 billion USD, in 1998 - 2.5 billion USD, in 1999 - 3.5 billion USD.
Most investments were directed to the transport and communications industry (24%), production of transport equipment (16%), consumer goods (13%), construction (9%).
During the reforms, the indicator of gross financial accumulation to GNP in the Czech Republic reached 24%, while in the EU countries this value is 20%.
The banking system of the Czech Republic is based on the principles adopted in the economically developed countries of the world. The Czech People's Bank (CNB) does not depend on the instructions of the government, which has affected the effectiveness of the entire monetary policy in the country.
The foreign exchange reserves of the CNB in ​​1999 amounted to 12.4 billion US dollars.
Industry is the most developed and important sector in the Czech economy, accounting for 40% of national income. By the beginning of 1999, after the privatization program, the private sector of industry exceeded 80%. Stably operating enterprises include food industry enterprises (partners Danone and Nestle), electrical engineering (ETA, partners Bosch and Moulinex), paint and varnish (partners Union carbide and BASF), household chemicals and detergents (partners Henkel and Proster & Gamble), aviation ( McDonnall Douglas partners), automotive (bus production - Karosa, Renault partner),
Skoda-Avto (purchased by Volkswagen), whose exports in 1999 increased by 45% compared to 1998. in addition, the small sub-suppliers of the plant also improved the quality of their products. At present, to implement plans to expand production, it is planned to build a plant worth 560 million USD to produce engines and transmissions that will be used not only in Skoda, but also in Volkswagen cars manufactured in other countries.
The share of agriculture in the GNP of the Czech Republic is 4.5%, 5.5% of the population is employed. Czech agriculture is a developed industry with a high level of automation and mechanization, fully meeting the country's basic needs for agricultural and livestock products and exporting products to the EU (37%), Slovakia (23) and the CIS (14%).
Measures to liberalize foreign trade and attract serious foreign investment have significantly improved the balance of foreign trade turnover and the structure of exports. Most of it falls on the countries that are members of the European Union (63%, of which 43% - to Germany).
The trade deficit in 1999 was $2.6 billion, $3.2 billion less than in 1996.
The improvement in the structure of exports was expressed, first of all, in an increase in the share of engineering products, in 1999 it amounted to 47%.
A fundamentally new article has appeared - the export of licenses and the construction of industrial facilities abroad based on them, for example: in Russia - the production of cars under the license of the Skoda company, in Kazakhstan - the production of explosives for industrial and mining operations, in Georgia - pharmaceuticals, in Ukraine - trams and trolleybuses, in China - turbines for hydro and thermal power plants.

Czech Republic \Education

The Czech Republic is famous for its high level of education.
Pre-school education of children in the Czech Republic begins in a developed network of kindergartens. Children are admitted to kindergartens from the age of 3. The fee for their maintenance depends on its affiliation (state, departmental, private) and on the area where the kindergarten is located.
Education in public schools is free.
Primary school caters for children from 7 to 10 years old.
From the age of 11 to 19, they receive their secondary education in gymnasiums or, if desired, after graduating high school, from 16 to 19 receive secondary specialized education in colleges.
When entering a Czech lyceum, gymnasium or college, you need to pass entrance exams.
Upon completion of studies in lyceums, gymnasiums and colleges, it is necessary to pass an exam for a matriculation certificate. At the same time, this gives the right to enter a university or other higher educational institution.
At the end of elementary school, 52% of students continue their education in gymnasiums and colleges, and 48% go to secondary school.
Starting from the middle classes, all subjects studied are divided into compulsory and optional, that is, studied at the choice of the students themselves.
Schools are subdivided into ordinary, general education and specialized, with in-depth study of mathematics, physics, foreign languages, physical culture, and music.
There are several paid international schools where education is conducted in English, the training program in them is fully consistent with the programs Western countries(England, USA), and after graduating from such a school, the student receives a Western-style diploma.
University education is received by about 7.2% of Czechs.
Higher education in the country is paid, but the fee is rather symbolic - about $100 a year.
Since January 1, 1999, teaching in the Czech language at universities has become free.
Higher education in the Czech Republic is divided into two main types: university and non-university.
University education includes bachelor's, master's, doctoral studies, while non-university education mainly takes students to the bachelor's degree.
Bachelor's degree is intended for those who seek to get the so-called "short-term education" - the term of study in this case is 3-4 years. Upon completion, a bachelor's degree is awarded - this is the necessary basic knowledge.
Education in the master's program lasts 5-6 years, depending on the specialty.
The third level of education - doctorate - is intended for individual creative activity and scientific research. It corresponds to our graduate school and here you can get the degree of candidate and doctor of science by passing certain disciplines and defending a dissertation.
There are about two dozen universities and over a hundred institutes in the Czech Republic.
One of the most famous - Charles University, was the first institution of higher education in Central Europe. It was founded in 1348 by the Czech king and Roman emperor Charles IV. The university became famous for the fact that Master Jan Hus taught there, world-famous writers Karel Capek and Franz Kafka came out of its walls, professor of philosophy T.G. Massaryk and professor of sociology E. Benesh, who later became presidents of the Czech Republic, taught there.
Charles University has 16 faculties: 3 theological, legal, medical, pharmaceutical, philosophical, natural history, physics and mathematics, pedagogy, social sciences, physical culture and sports.
There are daytime, evening and correspondence departments, a department for foreign students, preparatory courses, postgraduate and doctoral studies.
To enter the university, you must have a certificate of secondary education and successfully pass the entrance exams. A three-year course of study provides a bachelor's degree and the opportunity to start a professional career. To obtain a master's degree, you need to study for 5 years and defend a thesis.
The country's oldest universities include: the University of Olomouk, founded in 1573; Czech Technical University, leading its lineage from the School of Engineering, founded in 1707, which marked the beginning of the development of higher technical education in the Czech Republic.
Among the economic universities, the most famous is the Economic University in Prague.
Every major city in the Czech Republic has its own university, and they all have a high level of education.

Czech Republic \Medicine

The healthcare system and medicine in the Czech Republic has developed, as well as in other European countries, and has a fairly long history.
Back in 1880, the First Congress of Czech Physicians and Naturalists took place in Prague.

In the pre-war Czech Republic, as well as throughout Europe, the healthcare system was mostly private and paid. This did not prevent her from making certain discoveries in the field of medicine.
As an example, we can cite the experiments of the Czech doctor J. Jansky, who in 1907 found that the blood serum of some people causes the accumulation of red blood cells in other people in a certain regular order, however, these experiments were forgotten and only in 1930 was the discovery recognized Austrian immunologist K. Landsteiner about the division of red blood cells into 3 groups.

After the Second World War, with the creation of the Czechoslovak Republic, the healthcare system was no different from the one we were used to under socialism: free medical care, a local doctor, symbolic prices for medicines in pharmacies, but at the same time, not very high level of medical services.
After the "velvet revolution" cardinal changes took place. The healthcare system in the Czech Republic was reorganized and became non-state, but with state guarantees.

In the Czech Republic, medicine again became paid, medical institutions were privatized.

However, the selected insurance system with a network of health insurance companies is very expensive, as evidenced by the increase in healthcare costs in the Czech Republic.

The country has introduced a system of universal health insurance, according to which a patient who regularly pays insurance premiums does not worry about the cost of medical services and medicines - the insurance company pays for it.

Entrepreneurs pay a percentage of earnings, the owner of the enterprise pays for hired workers, and children and pensioners receive insurance from the state.

The cost of health insurance depends on gender and age. The largest contributions are set for 68-70 year olds.

For foreigners in the Czech Republic, emergency treatment and non-stationary ambulance are free of charge. Any other inpatient care is paid.

For a foreigner in the Czech Republic, there are three options for obtaining medical services:

1. Do not pay for insurance, but pay for each visit to the doctor and each medical procedure separately. At the same time, very simple services can require very significant amounts.
2. Contractual form of insurance. Under a health insurance contract, a foreigner has the right to receive basic medical care in a polyclinic and be treated in a hospital. Under the insurance, he is provided with discounts when buying medicines, he has the opportunity to be treated at Czech spas by prescription of a doctor for a lower fee compared to uninsured spa guests. The advantage of contractual insurance is a wide network of medical institutions in the Czech Republic.
3. The system of insurance, which is compulsory for employment, is connected with the conclusion of wages and gives the right to medical care equal to that of Czech citizens.

In the Czech Republic, the system of spa treatment is historically developed.
The resorts of the Czech Republic are equipped with the latest diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, are specialized in the treatment of specific diseases, have a network of dietary canteens, cultural and public institutions.
Most of the Czech resorts are unique due to the use of the healing properties of the springs. mineral water, combined with the most modern physiotherapy equipment

Czech Republic \Culture

The oldest written monuments appeared in the Czech Republic in the second half of the 10th century, when it was part of the Great Moravian state. They are connected with the activities of the Slavic enlighteners Cyril and Methodius, who spread Slavic writing throughout the territory of the entire state. These are spiritual and martial songs, such as "Lord, have mercy on us", "Saint Wenceslas", etc.
Since the end of the tenth century, the Czech Republic was already part of the "Holy Roman Empire" and the only written language of the Czechs is Latin. The "Chronicle of Bohemia" by Cosmas of Prague (1045-1125) belongs to this period.
At the end of the 13th century, secular, “knightly” literature (“Alexandreida”) appeared, satirical and didactic genres related to the life of the city developed (the drama “The Seller of Healing Ointments”, the dialogue “The Groom and the Schoolboy”, etc.).
The flourishing of Czech literature in the 14th century was also facilitated by the opening of a university in Prague in 1348.
The end of the 14th - the beginning of the 15th centuries is characterized by the influence of the Reformation movement on literature. At this time, new literary forms appeared: anti-Catholic sermons (Jan Hus, Jan Zhevlinsky); epistolary works (Jan Hus, Jan Zizka); poetic appeals ("Budishinskaya manuscript"). After the defeat of the radical wing of the Hussites (1434), the writer and thinker Piotr Khelchitsky (1390-1460), the author of the theological work "The Web of Faith" comes forward. An important event of this period was the beginning of printing in the Czech language (1468).
After the loss of independence by the Czech Republic (1620), the development of literature took place under pressure on Czech culture from foreign nobility and the Roman Church. During this period, Czech literature is represented by émigré writers. One of them is a humanist teacher Ya.A.Kolensky.
A new upsurge in the literature of the Czech Republic came at the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th centuries during the period of national revival. The genre of scientific and journalistic treatises has become widespread. An important role in Czech literature was played by the works on the history of language and writing by the philologists J. Dobrovsky (1753-1829), J. Jungman (1773-1847), the works of the poets I. Tam (1765-1816) and others
At the beginning of the 19th century, a trend of romanticism was formed in Czech literature (J. Jungman, J. Kollar, F. L. Chelakovsky and others). The French Revolution of 1830 and the Polish uprising of 1830-1831 had a significant impact on Czech literature in the middle of this century. Critical realism, which flourished in the second half of the century, was reflected in the work of such writers as J. Neruda, V. Galek, S. Cech and others.
In 1890 the Czech Academy of Letters and Arts was founded.
The 20th century was one of the most difficult periods in the history of the Czech Republic. World War I, the creation of the Czechoslovak Republic, World War II, the formation of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, each of these events influenced the development of Czech literature, changing its styles and directions from decadence and symbolism to socialist realism. During this period, such famous writers and poets as J. Gashek, A. Sova, K. Chapek, M. Puimanova and others worked.
Fine arts and architecture of the Czech Republic began their development in the Stone Age and the Bronze Age (sculpture, ceramics, metal jewelry, etc.).
In the 10th century, Prague occupied the main place in the artistic life of the country, where in the first half of the 10th century the rotunda of St. Vitus was built in the Castle.
In the 10th - 12th centuries, Romanesque architecture developed, the church of St. George was built. Book miniatures (manuscripts "Humpold's legend of St. Wenceslas" around 1000) and frescoes (image of sovereigns from the Přmyslovich family in the chapel in Znojmo (1134) are being developed.
In the 13th - 14th centuries, with the growth of cities, the development of crafts and mining, the Gothic style was established in the art of the Czech Republic (Anezhki Monastery (1230) and the Tinsky Church, in Prague, etc.).
In the middle of the fourteenth century, realistic tendencies were developed, which were embodied in the work of the art school of P. Palerzh (1330-1399), he built the Charles Bridge and created a number of sculptures.
In the 15th century, late Gothic art was represented by B. Reit (1454-1536), the creator of the unique star vaults of the Vladislav Hall in the Prague Castle.
The 16th century in the Czech Republic is the Renaissance. Artistic glassmaking is flourishing, art collections are being collected.
In the 15th and 18th centuries, realistic painting developed - K. Shkret (1610-1674), engraving - V. Hollar (1607-1677). The Baroque style is represented in architecture by K.I. Ditzenhofer (1690-1751), in sculpture - by F.M. Brokov (1688-1731) and M.B. In painting - P. Brandl (1668-1735) and V.V. Reiner (1689-1743) and others. In 1799, the Academy of Arts was established.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, realism was represented in painting by: A. Mahek (1775-1844), K. Manes (1828-1880), A. Kosarek (1830-1859), A. Bubak (1824) -1870), J. Manes (1820-1871) and others. The building of the National Theater in Prague, built in 1868-1883 by J. Zitek (1832-1909), based on Renaissance tendencies, was an architectural achievement. F. Zhenishek (1849-1916), V. Brozhik (1851-1901), V. Ginais (1854-1925) took part in the scenic design of the theater. Sculpture - J. Myslbek (1848-1922) and others.
At the end of the 19th century, Czech graphics began to develop widely; M. Shvabinsky (1873-1962), J. Preisler (1872-1918) and others worked in this genre.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Art Nouveau style with the use of new structures was spreading in architecture - J. Koter (1871-1923), in painting - realism is present in the work of landscape painters: A. Slavicek (1861-1910), J. Uprk ( 1861-1940), compositional paintings - M. Iranek (1875-1911), etc. In sculpture - J. Shturs (1880-1925), B. Kafka (1878-1942), etc. The middle of the century is characterized by the development in architecture of such styles as constructivism and functionalism.
Czech musical culture developed on the basis of rich folk art. In the middle of the 11th century, festive folk dances were accompanied by playing flutes and drums. In the XIII century, trumpets, timpani, zithers are mentioned in the annals, harps and psalteriums were also widely used.
A major role in the development of musical art in the Czech Republic belongs to the Faculty of Liberal Arts of the University of Prague. Since the second half of the 14th century, many outstanding Czech musicians have studied there, among them Master Zawisz (1360-1411), the author of liturgical chants and the first Czech lyric song that has come down to modern times.
The era of the Hussite wars was the heyday of songwriting, which are distinguished by their original melody and rhythm.
In the 16th century, Czech polyphonic art developed, its prominent masters: J.T. Turnovsky, J. Rikhnovsky, J.S. Klatovsky and others.
After the loss of independence, the country was flooded with foreign musicians. In the work of Czech composers of the 15th - 18th centuries, the influence of foreign music is manifested. Among them stand out Ya.D.Zelenka (1679-1745), B.Chernogrsky (1684-1742) and others.
In the 18th century, Czech composers mastered complex polyphonic vocal and instrumental genres and successfully worked in the symphony genre. Outstanding musicians of this period were: F.W.Michi (1694-1744), J.Stamitz (1717-1757), J.Myslivechek (1737-1781) and others.
The development of Czech music in the 19th century was facilitated by the opening of a conservatory in Prague in 1811. The first opera in the Czech language, "Drotar", was written by F. Shkroup (1801-1862). This period was marked by the work of the world famous classical composers: B. Smetana (1824-1884) and A. Dvorak (1841-1904). Major masters were also: Z. Fibich (1850-1900), L. Janacek (1854-1928), J. Suk (1874-1935) and others.
In 1861 the National Theater was opened, in 1901 the Czech Philharmonic.
In the 20th century, the traditions of great Czech musicians were continued by V.Novak, J.B. Foerster, V.Dobiash, Z.Blazhek, J.Hanush and others.

Czech Republic \Massmedia

There are 90 national and regional daily newspapers published in the Czech Republic.

The most popular daily newspapers include:

• Mlada Fronta Dnes(daily circulation - 425,000) - the largest independent national daily newspaper, formerly a youth newspaper, now has a modern style and is designed for a wide range of readers;
• Shine(daily circulation - 300,000) - published seven days a week, once a week a glossy magazine is published along with a newspaper;
• Pravo- Formerly titled Rude Pravo (daily circulation 260,000), formerly a publication of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, now strives to give an objective and independent interpretation of events, does not openly belong to any political party, but has a left-wing political bias and focuses on the discussion of social problems, has a reputation for being highly professional newspapers;
• Zemske noviny- formerly Ceske moravskoslezske Zemedelske Noviny (daily circulation - 160,000) - is the heir to the daily newspaper Zemedelske noviny (l945-1990), published as a national newspaper, but more designed for rural and provincial readers;
• Hospodarske noviny(daily circulation - 125000) - daily economic newspaper, tries to follow the style of economic daily newspapers such as the newspaper "Financial Times" or Handelsblatt;
• Lidove new(daily circulation - 80,000) - is an independent daily newspaper aimed at a liberal reader with a higher education, known as a dissident newspaper.

The political freedom established after 1989 caused a huge upsurge in all kinds of media that had previously been subject to censorship. Numerous new periodicals, radio stations, and television channels have emerged at the national and regional level.

The main periodicals of the Czech Republic have a very large share of foreign investors - mainly Switzerland and Germany, among which it is necessary to single out the Swiss syndicate "Ringier" and the German Passauer Neue Presse.

Along with daily newspapers, many weeklies are popular. Western influence is also evident here in their quality and design. The most widely read periodicals are weeklies like Kvety, Reflex, Tyden and Mlady Svet.

Two English weeklies are published in Prague: The Prague Post and The Central European Business Weekly. One glossy business magazine, La Tribune De Prague, is published in French and English. The Prager Zeitung is published in German.

They contain weekly news, features and analysis of economics, politics and culture in the Czech Republic, Eastern Europe and the European Union.

Radio and Television

The Czech Republic has both public and private television and radio broadcasting networks.

State-owned Radio Czech Republic and Czech Television are funded by the government.

Broadcasting licenses in the Czech Republic are issued by the Radio and Television Broadcasting Council. He is elected by parliament and is independent of the government.

So far, more than 70 broadcasting licenses have been issued by the Council, and about 150 radio stations are already operating in the Czech Republic.

The largest of them include:

• Radio KISS 98 World Cup;
• impulse;
• Radio Frekvence 1;
• Radio Evropa 2;
• BI - BI - SI (BBC World Service);
• Radio Free Europe (Radio Free Europe).

In the Czech Republic, 52 television licenses have also been granted. There are two public and two private television stations (Nova and Prima) broadcast throughout the Czech Republic.
In addition, there are 118 small TV stations in the country.

REFERENCE INFORMATION

Administrative division of the country

In November, elections to the regional parliaments will be held in the Czech Republic for the first time. The administrative division of the country is changing. Instead of 7 areas, 14 edges will appear. The Parliament adopted a package of laws that define the competence of the regions, allow the creation of regional legislative bodies.

Although formally the new division of the country is effective from January 1, in fact, it will come into force only after the elections of the regional parliaments and the formation of executive authorities.

Zemstvo reform stands on a solid legislative basis. A law was adopted on regions, communities, district administrations, on the capital Prague, on the competences of regional authorities, and on elections to regional parliaments.

The new government will initially have the right to form the regional policy in the field of education, health care, culture, transport, and in the social sphere. Significant expansion of the competencies of the new authorities will follow in 2003, when the existing regional administrations cease their work.

The composition of the regional parliaments will be elected for 4 years. This year, the elections will not concern only Prague (it is also an independent region). The composition of the Prague magistrate, elected the year before last, will work until 2002.

Zemstvo reform will cost the country about 5 billion crowns. What will change after the election of regional parliaments in 2000? The territory of the country will be divided into 14 regions. Each region will have a representative body consisting of 45-64 people, the council (9-11 people) will be at the head of the region, and the council will elect a hetman.

A 5% barrier is introduced for political parties in parliamentary elections. Residents of the region who have reached the age of 18 can become regional deputies.

It is curious that in those communities where at least a fifth of the inhabitants belong to any national minority, street names can be written in the language of the minority if at least half of the inhabitants belonging to the national minority so request.

The leaders of the regional authorities will be called Hetmans (Hejtman). In the state authorities in the Czech lands, the positions of hetmans existed for about 100 years from the middle of the last century. These were the leaders of the districts and they were appointed by the Ministry of the Interior.

The new hetmans will become leaders of local self-government. Their salaries are fixed. They are quite high. The hetman will receive 57,000 kroons per month, members of the regional council - 48,400 kroons.

New administrative division of the country (see map)

edge	Center	Area km sq.	Population	Number of communities
Karlovy Vary	Karlovy Vary	3315	305086
Kralove Hradecki	Hradec Kralove	4757	553827
Ustetsky	Usti nad Labem	5335	825074
Liberec	Liberec	3163	428974
Olomouc	Olomouc	5139	645804
Pilsen	Pilsen	7560	305 086
Prague	Prague		1 209 855
Middle Czech	Prague	11014	1106738	1147
Pardubice	Pardubice	4519	510 072
Ostrava	Ostrava	5555	1 289 002
Budeevitsky	Ceske Budejovice	10056	626 897
Jihlava	Jihlava	6925	522 846
Brno	Brno	7067	1 141 172
Zlinsky	Zlin	3965	600 617

The Czech Republic has developed from three geographical regions - Moravia, Silesia, Bohemia. Bohemia is the largest region and, in turn, it is also customary to divide it into parts - Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western. The administrative division of the Czech Republic does not quite coincide with the geographical. Prague and its environs belong to Central Bohemia.
Each region has its own pearls, information about the most interesting of them you will see on the following pages.

§ 3. Formation of the Czech state

As a result of the collapse of the Great Moravian association, an alliance of Czech tribes emerged from it, which later became the basis on which the Czech pre-feudal state arose. The territory inhabited by the Czech tribes was a quadrangle bounded by the Bohemian Forest, the Ore or Ore Mountains, the Sudetes and the Giant Mountains (Giant Mountains) and the Bohemian-Moravian Heights. It was irrigated by the Laba River and its main tributaries, the Vltava and Ogra.

The Czech tribes, like other Slavic peoples, lived in a tribal system, but in the 9th-10th centuries. the tribal system was already in a state of decay. This was connected with the development of productive forces, mainly with the success of agriculture.

Significant material values ​​were concentrated in the hands of tribal elders. Owning slaves (lads), the tribal nobility had the opportunity to process land located outside the territory, which was considered the property of the clan. The new conditions contributed to the economic strengthening and increase in the political significance of the tribal nobility. She became the force that led the life of her tribe. In the IX-X centuries. the descendants of the tribal nobility were called princes, zhupans and governors. In connection with the disintegration of the tribal system, the right of ownership of real estate and the instruments of production is being strengthened. In contrast to the tribal nobility, who sought to secure individual plots for individual use, the bulk of the population continued to maintain collective ownership of the land. The clan was divided into separate large consanguineous families - zadrugi. From the composition of the latter, individual members stood out, who organized their own economy. In the future, these individual farms formed a community - a brand. The land continued to be in common ownership of the community, but the cultivated plots were gradually transferred to individual use. The wastelands continued to be in common ownership. These forms of land ownership continued until the thirteenth century.

Traces of the tribal system were preserved for a long time in Czech customary law. The community paid for the head of the murdered found on its territory, if the culprit was not found. She took part in the search for criminals in the so-called vault. The collective oath at the trial was also an indicator of the remnants of the tribal system. On the territory of tribal associations there were "grads" - political, military and trade centers, to which the nearest settlements gravitated. The territory of tribal unions was divided into separate urban areas - zhups. These territorial associations were already political associations. Among them, the leading place belonged to the Czech territorial-political association, as it occupied the central part of the territory and was located at the intersection of the most important land river routes.

By the middle of the X century. the most important of the cities of this association, Prague, on the Vltava River, was in the possession of the Přemyslids. They united under their rule separate Czech tribes living west of the Laba River. The eastern part of the territory, inhabited by Czech tribes, belonged to the Slavnikov family. Their political center was Libice.

The growth of the political influence of both cities was determined by their economic importance. Trade routes crossed in Prague, passing through the central part of the territory from north to south and from west to east, in the Black Sea and the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov. The main trade route to the northeast to the Polish lands passed through Libice, and from there to Kievan Rus and the trade route to Hungary, Pannonia and the Balkans. The city of Libice was a serious economic and political rival of Prague. The Slavnikov clan was a strong opponent of the Přemyslids. The possessions of the Slavniks extended west of the Vltava and cut off the trade routes going to the Czech Republic from the Danube. The long struggle between the two political centers ended in the victory of the Prague prince, who united most of the tribes under his rule and had significant material resources.

The unification of the Czech tribes led to the fact that the elders of individual tribes - voivodes and župans - had to recognize the authority of the central voivode or prince (dux). But it was a long and complicated historical process. Although the Czech prince managed to subjugate other tribes, but initially his power over them was not great. The governors of individual tribes did not want to recognize the power of the central prince. The Czech state was born in the struggle of the prince with the governors and tribal nobility. The struggle was tense, and it took a lot of effort to break the resistance of the governors and the nobility of individual tribes. In addition, the internal struggle in the Czech principality itself weakened the power of the central prince, strengthening the position of his opponents. The intervention of German feudal lords in the internal affairs of the Czech Republic also delayed the unification of the Czech tribes into one state. The first historically known prince was Burivoy from the Přemyslid family (874–879). Together with his wife Lyudmila Buriva, he converted to Christianity in the capital of Moravia, Velehrad. Already under the grandson of Burivoy - Wenceslas (923-935), the situation in the Czech Republic became tense. Under him, the influence of the German clergy increased, which, as in Moravia, began a struggle against the Slavic Church. Wenceslas supported the Catholic clergy, which occupied a dominant position in the country. The victory of the Catholic Church over the Slavic Church strengthened the position of the social leaders. However, the dominance of the Latin language in writing delayed the development of writing in the Czech language for a long time.

The German feudal lords vigilantly followed the internal situation in the country in order to subjugate the Czech Republic to their power. When Wenceslas was in a fight with Radislav, the prince of the Zlichan tribe, who relied on German feudal lords, King Henry I took advantage of this to invade the Czech Republic. He went all the way to Prague. Wenceslas was forced to make an agreement with Henry, recognized himself as a vassal of the king and pledged to pay tribute. The governors and Lechs took advantage of the difficult external situation and raised an uprising against Wenceslas. The uprising was pacified, but Wenceslas himself soon died at the hands of his brother Boleslav, prince of the Pshovan tribe. Bolesław I (935–967) waged an unsuccessful war with Otto I for many years for independence. The common threat from the Magyars brought Bolesław I closer to the empire. The united German-Czech army in 955 defeated the Magyars in the battle on the Lech River, and thus the Czech Republic was freed from the threat of the Magyar invasion. After the defeat of the Magyars, Moravia with part of Silesia, in the upper reaches of the Oder, and Krakow was annexed to the Czech Republic. Boleslav got the opportunity to control the trade routes that passed through Libice. In order to strengthen the foreign policy position of the Czech Republic, Boleslav became close to the Polish prince Mieszko (960–992) and married his daughter Dubravka to him.

Boleslav laid a solid foundation for the Czech state. In this regard, Boleslav is the successor of the traditions of the Great Moravian princes Rostislav and Svyatopolk. His power extended to all Czech tribes, with the exception of the possession of Slavnik, with its center in Libice. The victories cost Boleslav great efforts, and he was not shy in choosing means. No wonder he got the nickname "Cruel" (Ukrutny).

Boleslav took vigorous measures to strengthen his country. Most of the Czech nobility was interested in strengthening their economic position and therefore supported Boleslav and his unifying policy. The material resources that Boleslav had at his disposal allowed him to maintain a squad, which he used to fight the Germans and Magyars, and with its help he subjugated the recalcitrant tribes. Only one prince of Libice, Radislav Slavnik, had not yet submitted to the prince and continued to fight against the unifying policy of the Czech princes. Relations between the princes of Prague and Libice became especially aggravated under Boleslav II the Pious (967–999). In order to free the Czech Church from subordination to the highest German Catholic hierarchy, Bolesław II achieved the establishment of a separate bishopric in Prague, which remained in canonical dependence on the Archbishop of Mainz. The establishment of a bishopric in Prague strengthened Boleslav's position, since the power of the Prague bishop extended to the whole of Bohemia. This dealt a political blow to Slavnik and his family. In order to stop the further strengthening of the power of the Prague prince, Slavnik achieved the appointment of his son Vojtech as the bishop of Prague under the name of Adalbert. The policy of the new bishop undermined the authority of the princely power. Clashes broke out between Boleslav II and Vojtech. In the end, the Prague bishop was forced to leave the see. Under the auspices of the Polish prince, Vojtech went to the Prussians to spread Christianity among them, but was killed by them in 997 during his missionary work. Bolesław II emerged victorious in the fight against Prince Radisław Slavnik of Libice and his sons. Although the Libice prince relied on the German emperor Otto III, the latter could not provide him with significant assistance. In 995, Boleslav occupied the capital of Slavnikov - Libice. During the capture of Libice, the entire male and female population was killed. The entire family of Slavnikov was destroyed. Their lands and property were confiscated in favor of the Czech prince. Thus, the East Bohemian lands passed into the hands of the Přemyslids, and all the Czech lands were united under the rule of one prince. This is how the Czech state was created.

The chronicler Kozma of Prague approves of the personality and work of Boleslav II. “This prince,” says Kozma, “was a Christian husband, father of orphans, protector of widows, comforter of those who weep, patron of clerics and wanderers, founder of the churches of God. Under him, no one received either a spiritual or a secular position for money. And in battles he was the bravest, he treated the vanquished mercifully, but most of all he valued calm and peace. He had a lot of wealth and military weapons. Already by this time, Prague had become a major center of international trade, about which the Arab traveler Ibrahim Ibn-Yakub, who visited the Czech Republic under Boleslav I, wrote as follows: “The city of Fraga (Prague) is built of stone and lime, and it is the richest of the cities in trade. Rus and the Slavs come to him from Krakow (Krakow) with goods, and Muslims and Jews and Turks come to him from the countries of the Turks, as well as with goods and Byzantine calicos, and take out flour, tin and various trifles from them. Their country is the best of the countries of the north and the richest in life supplies. And in the city of Prague, saddles and bridles and shields are made for use in their countries. After the death of Boleslav II, the young Czech state had to endure deep internal and external upheavals. Against Boleslav III, nicknamed the Red (999-1003), the tribal nobility rose up, unwilling to reconcile with the loss of their independence. At the head of the tribal nobility was the Vrshovich family. Boleslav III was forced to flee to Germany. The temporary victory of the tribal nobility was associated with its support by the Polish prince Boleslav I the Brave (992–1025). The latter, taking advantage of internal complications in the Czech Republic, captured the beautiful Czech capital, and then Moravia, Krakow and Silesia.

In order to keep Bohemia under his rule, Bolesław I the Brave helped Bolesław III in his struggle against the brothers Jaromir and Oldřich; with his assistance, Boleslav III returned to Prague and brutally cracked down on his opponents. Then the hostile to Boleslav III Lehi and lords also turned to the Polish prince for help. Boleslav III, during a meeting with Boleslav I the Brave, was treacherously captured and blinded, and then put in a Polish fortress, where he was kept until his death. Boleslav I the Brave went to Prague, and " wonderful country Czech became a province of the Principality of Poland, cheerful Prague became the capital of Boleslav. However, Prague did not long remain under the rule of the Polish prince. Emperor Henry II, fearing his strengthening, assisted Oldrich and Jaromir in the return of Prague. However, Moravia and Silesia remained with Bolesław I the Brave. Only in 1021 Moravia was freed from the power of Poland, and Oldrich (1012–1034) gave it to his son Bretislav as an inheritance.

Under Bretislav (1034–1055), the Czech state was strengthened. The resistance of the feudal nobility was broken. Nevertheless, the external position of the Czech Republic remained extremely tense. Bretislav was not alien to the idea of ​​uniting the Slavic peoples under his rule, like Boleslav I the Brave. Therefore, Bretislav, taking advantage of the feudal struggle that began after the death of the Polish prince Mieszko II (1025–1034), son of Boleslav I the Brave, captured Krakow in Lesser Poland and Gniezno in Greater Poland.

The extension of Bretislav's power to Poland strengthened the external position of the Czech Republic in relation to the German Empire, which continued to be the main enemy of the Czech state. The German emperor did not want to allow the strengthening of the Czech Republic. To this end, Henry III in 1040 undertook a campaign against the Czech Republic, which ended in failure. The Emperor was defeated at the Battle of Domazlice, in Western Bohemia. The following year, Henry III undertook a new campaign, which ended successfully, and Bretislav was forced to recognize the fief dependence of the Czech Republic on the empire. With the help of this diplomatic act, the Czech lands remained under the rule of Bretislav.

But Bretislav failed to unite all the Czech lands under his rule. He owned only part of Moravia. The region on the left bank of the Danube, up to the lower reaches of the Morava River, went to Bavaria. Ethnically and linguistically related to the Czechs, the Slovaks fell under the rule of the Magyars.

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Czech Republic is the most detailed information about the country with a photo. Sights, cities of the Czech Republic, climate, geography, population and culture.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a small state in Central Europe. This is one of the most distinctive and attractive countries for tourists in the European Union with rich history, many interesting sights, castles and cultural monuments. The Czech Republic borders Poland in the north, Germany in the west and northwest, Slovakia in the east, and Austria in the south. It is a parliamentary republic. The official language is Czech.

What comes to mind when we talk about the Czech Republic? These are the Gothic spiers of Prague and the streets of Prague, this is the ancient Charles Bridge across the Vltava, these are hundreds of castles and churches in cozy old towns, this is excellent beer and delicious food. All this is true, but there is something else. The Czech Republic is an atmosphere of calm and silence, cordiality and slowness local residents, measured life, beautiful natural landscapes: leisurely rivers, fields and picturesque wooded hills. Interestingly, the country is also one of the safest in Europe and has one of the lowest levels of corruption.

The country is located almost in the center of the former Austria-Hungary - in the past it was one of the largest and most powerful states in Europe. The Czech Republic occupies historical regions - Moravia, Bohemia and part of Silesia. The turbulent past has left a colossal historical legacy, and low prices for food and hotels make the Czech Republic one of the cheapest countries for tourists in Europe.

Helpful information

1. The official language is Czech.
2. Currency - Czech crown.
3. Visa - Schengen.
4. The capital is Prague.
5. The population is 10.5 million people.
6. Area - 78.9 thousand square meters. km
7. The standard of living is high.
8. On the territory of the Czech Republic, the Central European time UTC +1 is valid.
9. Driving in the Czech Republic is on the right. The speed limit in populated areas is 50 km, outside the city - 90 km, on highways - 130 km. When driving on motorways, you need to buy a vignette. The consumption of alcohol by drivers is strictly prohibited. Car headlights should always be on. From November to the end of March, all cars must be driven on winter tires.
10. High season - May, July, August. Low - January, February.
11. Shops are open from 9.00 to 17.00 on weekdays. In large cities, shops are open until 20.00 and even on weekends. Shopping centers and large supermarkets are open from 9.00 to 21.00. Museums and attractions are often closed on Sundays.
12. The kitchen in restaurants and cafes is usually open until 21.00 - 22.00. Tipping is not included in the bill and is 5-10% of the bill.

Geography and nature

Despite its small size, the Czech Republic is a geographically diverse country. Here you can find mountains and hills covered with forests, fields and plains. The country has no access to the sea. The western and eastern parts are mostly hilly and mountainous. Central - predominantly hilly plain. The highest peak is Mount Snezhka (1602 m).

Several fairly large rivers flow through the territory of the Czech Republic - Vltava, Odra, Laba, Morava. The nature of the Czech Republic is very picturesque - hills and low mountains covered with deciduous and coniferous forests interspersed with agricultural land. Castles and fortresses rise on high hills and rocks - a legacy of the past. Roe deer and deer graze in the fields, running away as soon as they stop.

Best time to visit

The Czech Republic can be visited all year round. The most comfortable time is the period from May to September. Atmospheric in the Czech Republic for the Christmas holidays. The lowest season is from January to March.

Climate

The climate of the Czech Republic is temperate, with warm but not hot summers and fairly mild winters. The four seasons are clearly defined. Spring is cool with an average temperature of 8-12 degrees. Precipitation falls 150-200 mm. Summers are warm with a fairly comfortable temperature of 15-20 degrees. Heat doesn't happen often. But it's often cold here. Therefore, when visiting the Czech Republic in the summer, we recommend taking light jackets with you. Precipitation is the most during the summer. Autumn is quite warm with an average temperature of about 10 degrees. Winter lasts from December to February. The temperature is kept within zero degrees. There are both thaws and frosts.

Winter in the mountains of the Czech Republic

Story

The historical name of the Czech Republic is Bohemia. This territory includes several historical regions - Bohemia, Moravia and part of Silesia.

Human settlements on the territory of the Czech Republic existed as early as the Stone Age. At the beginning of our era, Germanic tribes lived here. The Slavs came to these lands in the 6th century. The legend about the three Slavic leaders-brothers - Ruse, Lyakh and Chekh is well known. Each of them became the founder of the people. Although the etymology of the name of the country and people is still controversial among scientists.

The unification of the Czech Slavs and the creation of the Czech state date back to the 9th-10th century. Initially, the center was Budec. In the 10th century, the center of the state moved towards modern Prague. At this time, the Vysehrad fortress was founded and Prague Castle. Czechs were baptized in the 9th century.

The Czech Principality gained its independence under the first Přemyslids. From the 11th to the 14th centuries, Bohemia was under the rule of the Frankish emperors. In 1241, the united Czech army successfully repelled the invasion of the Mongols.

The main heyday of the Czech Republic and Prague in the Middle Ages came at the time of the legendary King Charles IV. Karl not only expanded the Czech lands, but also developed agriculture and winemaking, began building the famous bridge across the Vltava in Prague, founded the University, Karlštejn Castle, St. Vita. Charles also issued a law on succession to the throne - when the throne is inherited by the eldest son. A woman can become head of state only if there are no male descendants.

The development of the Czech Republic was suspended in the 15th century. This process and the loss of independence provoked the Hussite movement that arose at the beginning of the 15th century. Despite the fact that Jan Hus (one of their leaders) was burned as a heretic, the Hussite war broke out. After it, the time of monarchless rule first came. Later, the Czech state lost its independence and became part of the possessions of the Habsburgs. The Czech Republic remained under their control until 1918.

After the end of the First World War, the country gains independence. A new state is formed - Czechoslovakia. Masaryk becomes the first president. Czechoslovakia lasted until 1993.

In 1939 the country was occupied by German troops. Liberated in 1945 by the Red Army. After the war, the Czech Republic was part of the socialist camp under the influence of the USSR.

In 1989, after the Velvet Revolution, Soviet troops left the Czech Republic. In 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into two independent states. Since 1999, the Czech Republic has been a member of NATO, and since 2004 - in the EU.

Administrative division

The Czech Republic consists of the capital and 13 regions. The krais are divided into districts (okres) and statutory cities (district centers).

• Central Bohemia - includes the capital - Prague, Kutna Hora.
• Western Bohemia (Pilsen and) - a wooded and mountainous area, picturesque nature, resorts and excellent beer.
• Northern Bohemia (Liberec and Usti nad Labem) is a mountainous and industrial region.
• Eastern Bohemia (Hradec Kralove and Pardubice) - mountain range Giant Mountains and highest peak Czech Republic - Mount Snezhka.
• South Bohemia (Ceske Budejovice) - hills and forests, the upper reaches of the Vltava.
• Northern Moravia (Ostrava and) is an industrial region. Although here you can find beautiful nature and interesting sights.
• South Moravia (Brno) - hills and forests, agricultural land and winemaking. These are the warmest regions of the Czech Republic.

Population

The population of the Czech Republic is over 10 million people. Given the area of ​​the country, it can be classified as densely populated. About 95% of the population are ethnic Czechs. Large diasporas - Ukrainians, Russians, Slovaks, Vietnamese, Germans.

The official language is Czech, which belongs to the West Slavic group of languages. Czechs can easily understand Slovaks and vice versa. Also, the Czech language has common roots and words with other Slavic languages ​​- Russian, Polish, Ukrainian. The Czech language has a large number of colorful words: lepidlo - glue, letushka - stewardess, letadlo - plane. The stress is almost always on the first syllable.

The Czechs themselves are a calm, hospitable, polite people. They respect traditions, are reasonable and unhurried.

Transport

Located almost in the center of Europe, the Czech Republic has good transport accessibility.

International airports are located in Prague (the largest in the country), Brno, Ostrava, Karlovy Vary and Pardubice.

The main means of transportation in the country are trains, buses and cars. It should be noted that the condition and quality of roads in the Czech Republic lags behind neighboring Austria and Germany. Although the country has highways that connect major cities and neighboring countries and pass near Prague, Pilsen, Brno and Ostrava.

Accommodation

Accommodation in the Czech Republic is much cheaper than, for example, in Germany, Austria. A double room in a three-star hotel with breakfast can be found for 30-50 euros even in Prague. Of course, it all depends on the location of the hotel (it is logical that the closer to the center, the more expensive), the season, etc. Large cities usually have a wide range of accommodation options from hostels to luxury hotels. It is better to take care of accommodation in the high season in advance. Rooms in Czech hotels are usually quite clean and very basic.

Kitchen

Czech cuisine is very high in calories. Traditional dishes: voles (various soups), garlic (garlic soup), boar knee (pork), meat dishes (mainly pork, beef, chicken, duck) with dumplings, fish dishes (carp), fried cheese (Germelin), seasonal vegetables (greens), potatoes (bramborak) and, of course, beer. In restaurants, food is usually prepared until 21.00-22.00. Tips are not included in the bill. If you liked the food and service, then you can leave 5-10% of the bill.

Beer is a separate pride of the Czech Republic and its main drink. It is one of the best in the world here. At the same time, beer is often the cheapest drink and often cheaper than Coca-Cola. Beer brands such as Krusovice, Budweiser, Pilsner, Radegast, Bernard, Gambrinus are brewed here. There are also a huge number of small breweries. Beer is usually divided into light (light) and dark (tmawe). Dark beer has a richer taste.

Czech cities

most popular and beautiful city Czech Republic is the capital - Prague. Often it is called the "city of a hundred spiers" and "golden". Prague is located almost in the center of the Czech Republic. Is largest city countries. The historic center of the city is listed world heritage UNESCO, and attractions such as Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town Square and Tyn Church, Vysehrad are real symbols of the country.

Brno

The second in importance and size is the capital of Moravia - Brno, which has a compact and beautiful Old city and has long competed with Prague economically and culturally.

Nearby is the student city of Olomouc, often referred to as "Little Prague". The city has wonderful architecture and many interesting sights (one of them is included in the UNESCO list).

To the north is the industrial capital of the Czech Republic and one of its largest cities - Ostrava.

Located near Prague small town Kutná Hora with several well-known sights (Kostnica, St. Barbara's Cathedral).

In the west, the famous Czech resort - Karlovy Vary - stands out. And in the northwest - Liberec.

The main city of the south is České Budějovice with a wonderful old center. Not far from it is one of the most beautiful towns in the Czech Republic - the old town of which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Sights of the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a country rich in sights and monuments of history and culture. Despite the turbulent past, the Czechs managed to preserve their historical heritage.

The enumeration of interesting sights of the Czech Republic can take up a whole book, so we will limit ourselves to the most iconic ones.

In Prague, the most famous sights are Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town Square and Vysehrad.

In Kutná Hora, UNESCO sites: the beautiful Gothic Cathedral of St. Barbarians and the gloomy Ossuary.

In Olomouc, this is one of the most significant monuments of the Czech Baroque, the column of the Holy Trinity.

One big attraction is the town of Cesky Krumlov in the south of the Czech Republic.

Of the natural beauties, a prominent place is occupied by the Czech Paradise reserve, national park Krkonoše and Šumava, Macocha gorge.

On the territory of Chekhov there are many beautiful castles. Here, almost every ancient town rises mighty fortresses or romantic ruins. Many castles are perfectly preserved and can tell us a lot about the history and culture of the past.

• Prague Castle
• Karlstejn
• Pernstein
• Loket
• Deep-over-Vltava
• Blatna
• Bouzov
• Orlik-nad-Vltavou
• Zvikov
• Kokorzhin
• Krivoklat
• Miller
• Mikulov

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