Czechia

Czech Republic
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: Kde domov můj
Location of Czechia (dark green) – in Europe (green & dark grey) – in the European Union (green)
Capital and largest city	Prague
Official languages	Czech
Ethnic groups	63.7% Czechs, 4.9% Moravians, 1.4% Slovaks, 30% others/unspecified
Government	Unitary parliamentary republic
• President	Petr Pavel
• Prime Minister	Petr Fiala
Legislature	Parliament
• Upper house	Senate
• Lower house	Chamber of Deputies
Area
• Total	78,871 km2 (30,452 sq mi) (115th)
Population
• 2021 estimate	10,693,939
• Density	136/km2 (352.2/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2021 estimate
• Total	$482.5 billion
• Per capita	$45,944
GDP (nominal)	2021 estimate
• Total	$281.6 billion
• Per capita	$26,835
Currency	Czech koruna (CZK)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+420
ISO 3166 code	[[ISO 3166-2:CZ |CZ ]]
Internet TLD	.cz

The Czech Republic, also known by its short-form name Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Germany to the west, Austria to the south, Slovakia to the east, and Poland to the northeast. The capital and largest city is Prague.

History

The area now known as Czechia has been inhabited for thousands of years. The Czech lands were part of the Holy Roman Empire and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1918, following World War I, the Czechoslovak Republic was established. After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell under the influence of the Soviet Union and became a communist state. The Velvet Revolution in 1989 led to the end of communist rule, and in 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into two countries: the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Geography

Czechia is characterized by its diverse landscape, which includes mountains, forests, and rivers. The country is divided into three historical regions: Bohemia, Moravia, and Czech Silesia. The highest point in Czechia is Sněžka, which stands at 1,603 meters (5,259 feet) above sea level.

Government and Politics

Czechia is a parliamentary republic with a multi-party system. The President is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The Parliament consists of two chambers: the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

Economy

Czechia has a high-income economy with a GDP per capita that is above the European Union average. The country is known for its industrial sector, particularly in automotive, machinery, and electronics. Major companies include Škoda Auto and ČEZ Group. Tourism is also a significant part of the economy, with millions of visitors coming to see landmarks such as Prague Castle and Charles Bridge.

Demographics

The population of Czechia is approximately 10.7 million people. The majority of the population are Czechs, with minorities including Moravians and Slovaks. The official language is Czech, and the predominant religion is Christianity, although a significant portion of the population is non-religious.

Culture

Czech culture has a rich history in literature, music, and the arts. Notable figures include writers like Franz Kafka and composers like Antonín Dvořák. The country is also known for its traditional cuisine, which includes dishes such as svíčková and goulash.

Related Pages

• Prague
• Bohemia
• Moravia
• Czech Silesia
• Czechoslovakia
• Velvet Revolution
• Škoda Auto
• ČEZ Group