Czech Republic

Geographical Location

The Czech Republic lies in Central Europe protected on all sides by mountains and mountain ranges - German Bavaria to the west, German Saxony to the north-west, the Polish voivode-constituencies of Jelenia Gora, Walbrzych, Opole, Katowice and Bielsko-Biala in the north, the Slovak Republic (middle andwesten Slovakia) to the east and Lower and Uper Austria in thesouth. The Czech Republic's three primary regions are descendant from the historical lands of the Emperor's Crown - Bohemia, Moravia anda small part of Silesia. Together they cover an area of 78,864 sq. km.

Government Administration System

The Czech Republic was formed from the three historical land of the Emperor's and Royal Crown - Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, now administratively divided into 14 dostricts. The Capital Praha (Prague) an independent municipal district. The Republic is governed by a president elected for a five-year term and the govermental and parlimentary bodies are elected for four years.

Official Language

The Czech language (however, it is possibile to communicate in English as well as German).

Population

The population of the Czech Republic is relatively homogeneous. The total population is 10.3 milion of which 94 % is Czech, 4 % Slovak, a small Polish minority living in the area near Ostrava and 150,000 Germans living mainly in western Bohemia. The Capital city Prague has a population of 1.2 milion; other large cities are Brno, Ostrava and Olomouc.

Currency

The Czech crown has been a convertible currency since 1996. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and stores.

Climate

The Czech Republic lies in a Temperate Zone. Winters are cold and damp, summers are hot and spring and autumn usually arrive of a sudden. During winter, thick fogs may confront drivers.

Telephone

When using public telephones, you may use either coins or telephone cards. Machines where you can use both are slowly being introduced. It is advised that you purchase a telephone card if you need to make frequent calls during your stay, cards cost between 150-500 Czech Crowns (CZK) and they are available in all post offices and newsagents. The country coud number for the Czech Republic is +420, then dial desired number. More detailded inforamtion (in English) may be found the Yellow Pages (Zlaté stránky).

Source: Hotel Guide 2006