Geography
The new Czech Republic first appeared on the map at the beginning of 1993, after the division of former Czechoslovakia. It is a landlocked country, situated in the Central Europe. It covers an area of 78,864 km2.
Climate
Moderate with four seasons. In winter the weather is variable, in summer it can be very warm. The average temperature in January, the coldest winter month is -5 degrees Centigrade, in July, the warmest summer month, around +23 degrees Centigrade.
Population
The total population is 10.3 million. The structure of the population is 94% Czech (including Moravians and Silesians), 3% Slovaks, 1.3% Romany, 0.6% Polish, 0.5% Germans, 0.6% others.
Religion
According to the 2001 census, 59% of the country is agnostic, atheist, non-believer or no-organised believer, 26.8% Roman Catholic and 2.5% Protestant.
Language
Czech. Some people also speak German and English.
Time
GMT +1, the same as in Western Europe.
Official Holidays
January - New Year’s Day, Eastern Monday,
1 May - May Day, 8 May - Liberation Day,
5 July - Day of Cyril and Methodius,
6 - July Jan Hus,
28 September – Saint Wenceslas,
28 October –Independence Day,
17 November – Velvet Revolution,
24 December - Christmas Eve,
25 December - Christmas Day,
26 December - Boxing Day.
What to eat and drink
Czech cuisine uses a lot of fried or roasted meat, usually pork or beef, on special occasions game and fish is served with dumplings, potatoes or rice, in a sauce. Everything is prepared simply without strong spices. The most common dishes are pork served with dumplings and sauerkraut and pot-roasted beef in a rich creamy vegetable sauce and cranberries. Sweet dishes, such as fruit dumplings, strudel and pancakes are also very popular. No one misses the chance to taste Czech beer. The best known are Pilsner Urquell, Prague Staropramen and Budweiser Budvar. Moravian wine and Czech spirits Becherovka, Borovička and Slivovice are also old favourites.
What to buy
Bohemian glass, crystal and china, ceramics, wooden toys, local handycraft.
Credit Cards
All major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, AmEx, and to a lesser extent Diners' Club and Discover) are accepted at larger stores and restaurants, especially in Prague. Most larger hotels in the 4*+ category will accept credit cards, too.
Health
There are no health precautions for travel to the Czech Republic and no vaccinations/ inoculations are required. Tap water is safe to drink (though the chlorination may give it an unpleasant taste). Prague has a number of health facilities catering mostly to foreigners (with English-speaking doctors and personnel). New emergency number for MEDICAL, FIRE, POLICE: 112
