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BASIC INFORMATION

Area: 78,865 sq. kilometres
Population: 10,330,000 inhabitants
Capital city: Prague
Official language: Czech
Constitution: president - elected bicameral parliament
Currency: 1 crown (CZK) = 100 hellers
Country identification mark: CZ
Religious affiliation: Predominantly Roman Catholic (39.2%), non-believers (39.7%)
Ethnic composition: 94% Czechs, 3% Slovaks, 1.3% Romanies, 0.6% Poles, 0.5% Germans, 0.6% Others

Climate:
temperate, four seasons, a mix of ocean and inland climate, changeable winters and warm summers.
average temperature: 9,7°C
summer season - July 20°C
winter season - January -2°C

Time: Central European (GMT+1), summer time - Central European +1 (GMT+2)

Largest city: Prague
Highest mountain: Snezka - 1602m above sea level in Krkonose mountains
Lowest point: surface of the river Elbe at the border with Germany - 117m above sea level
Longest river: Elbe - 1165 km (415 km within the Czech Republic)
Deepest chasm: Macocha - 138 m
Largest lake: Black Lake - 40.5 m deep, 18.2 ha
Longest bridge: Zdakov bridge - 541 m

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ABOUT THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic is situated in the heart of Europe, in the area where the cultural influences of East and West were meeting from time immemorial. Most travellers are impressed by the Czech Republic's architectural splendours, which include some of the finest Baroque, Art Nouveau and Cubist buildings in Europe, but Czechs have also excelled at less noticeable art forms, such as illuminated manuscripts, religious sculpture, and marionette & puppet theatre.

At present time, the political, economic and cultural relations are focused on West European countries, and on historically close neighbours - Slovakia, Austria and Poland. The Czech Republic is a full member of NATO. The tourist trade is an important branch of the Czech economy. Visitors from abroad appreciate the wealth, diversity and accessibility of cultural and historical monuments, which are concentrated on a relatively cheap in comparison with most European countries.

Besides Prague, which is a must for every tourist, the Czech Republic has eight other locations that are on the UNESCO list of the world cultural and natural heritage. The beautiful countryside is profoundly reflected in the soul of the nation. The border mountain regions are a paradise for those who enjoy summer hiking or winter sports, whereas the landscape of southern Bohemia, embroidered with a pattern of lakes, offers enchanting venues for long contemplative walks. The most valuable natural areas are protected in four national parks (Krkonose, Sumava, Podyji and Ceske Svycarsko) and in many protected landscape areas and nature reserves. Most protected areas are open to visitors free of charge, no special permission is required. A special kind of landscape is presented by sandstone areas, where millions of years of action by frost, water and wind created deep canyons and imposing rock labyrinths. The Cesky Raj (Bohemian Paradise) is fitting name for one such area. Limestone formations offer a chance to see caves and vast underground spaces; the Moravsky kras (Moravian Karst) north of Brno is the largest of these territories. The highly characteristic Wallachian regions with its wealth of rural folk architecture and the wine-growing areas of southern Moravia have also been much-visited destinations. The people who live there are friendly, hospitable and endowed with a special sense of humour.

Czech music runs the gamut from classical to jazz & punk. Apprentice butcher Antonin Dvorak is generally regarded as the most popular Czech composer. He is noted for his symphony From the New World, composed in the USA while lecturing there. Czech jazz musicians were at the forefront of European jazz after WW II but this came to an end with the communist putsch. Keyboardist Jan Hamr, who escaped to the USA, became prominent in 1970s American jazz-rock under the name Jan Hammer. Since the Velvet Revolution, the jazz scene in Prague has been especially lively. The most famous Czech writer is undoubtedly Franz Kafka, who, with a circle of other German-speaking Jewish writers in Prague, played a major role in the literary scene at the beginning of this century. Internationally renowned modern' Czech novelists include Milan Kundera, Ivan Klima and Josef Skvorecky. Much less well known is the Czech poet Jaroslav Siefert, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1984.

Whether you are looking for a place to relax, for sport or entertainment, if you want to become acquainted with history, art and the beauties of nature or need a suitable venue for congresses, scientific symposia, or commercial and training meetings, then the Czech Republic can certainly offer you a wide choice and favourable conditions.

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PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

UNESCO listed towns
Český Krumlov - the historical centre of the town and the chateau
Holašovice - folk architecture village (peasant baroque)
Kroměříž - Archbishop´s chateau and gardens
Kutná Hora - the historical centre of the town and the Cathedral of St. Barbara
Lednice-Valtice Area - uniquely created landscape in the environs of the Lednice and Valtice Chateaux
Litomyšl- chateau
Olomouc - the Column of the Holy Trinity
Prague - the historical centre of the town
Telč - the historical centre of the town
Žďár nad Sázavou - the church of St. John of Nepomuk

Central Bohemia
Castles - Český Šternberk, Karlštejn, Kokořín, Konopiště, Křivoklát, Nelahozeves, Žleby, Veltrusy, Mělník, Poděbrady
The Bohemian Paradise - the oldest nature reserve
Koněprusy Caves - an extensive system of caves in the Bohemian Karst Nature Reserve
Lidice National Memorial - on 10.6.1942 the Nazis wiped out the entire village
Kutná Hora - UNESCO listed town
Mělník - the centre of the leading wine production area within Bohemia territory
Příbram - important Czech mining town
Poděbrady - spa town
Kolín - known for its "Kmoch's Kolín" festival of brass music

Western Bohemia
Castles - Rábí, Horšovský Týn, Loket, Tachov
Spa towns - Františkovy Lázně, Karlsbad, Konstantinovy Lázně, Lázně Kynžvart, Marienbad, Jáchymov
Domažlice - centre of Chodsko, area with the traditional folklore
Plzeň - the town of beer (Pilsen Urquell)

Southern Bohemia
Castles - Bechyně, Červená Lhota, Český Krumlov, Hluboká nad Vltavou, Jindřichův Hradec, Orlík nad Vltavou, Pelhřimov, Třeboň, Zvíkov
České Budějovice - beer town (Budvar)
Holašovice - folk architecture village (peasant baroque)
Lipno Valley Reservoir
The Bohemian Forest - a large part of this nature formation declared a national park
Tábor - centre of the Hussite religious organisation
Třeboň - spa town
Vyšší Brod and Zlatá Koruna - Cistercian Monasteries

Eastern Bohemia
Castles - Karlova Koruna, Kuks, Lipnice nad Sázavou, Litomyšl, Opočno, Trosky
The Adršpach-Teplice Cliffs - national nature reserve
Broumov - monastery complex
Dvůr Králové nad Labem - zoological gardens built in style of safari park
Havlíčkův Brod - former silver mine
Jičín - an urban conservation area
Pardubice - known with Pardubice gingerbread and the Great Pardubice Steeplechase
Sněžka - the highest mountain in the Czech Republic

North Bohemia
Castles - Bezděz, Děčín, Duchcov, Frýdlant, Litoměřice, Ploskovice, Zákupy
The Czech Switzerland
Říp - the Czech national mountain
Teplice - oldest spa town in Bohemia
Terezín - the baroque fortress used as a Nazi concentration camp 1940-45

Norther Moravia and Silesia
Castles - Bouzov, Helfštýn, Velké Losiny
Nový Jičín - an urban conservation area
Olomouc - the old bishop's and later archbishops' city, UNESCO listed town
Praděd - the highest mountain in Moravia
Rožnov pod Radhoštěm - home to the Wallachian Outdoor Museum

Southern Moravia
Castles - Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou, Kroměříž, Lednice, Mikulov, Pernštejn, Velehrad, Valtice
Rajhrad - the oldest monastery in Moravia
Dolní Věstonice - famous for archaeological findings from the early Stone Age
Moravian Karst
Brno
Jihlava - an urban conservation area
Luhačovice - spa town
Strážnice - museum of folk architecture
Telč - UNESCO listed town
Znojmo - an urban conservation area
Žďár nad Sázavou - UNESCO listed town

Krkonose mountains
The highest summits are Snezka 1,602 m a.s.l., Lucni hora 1,555 m a.s.l., Studnicni hora 1,554 m a.s.l. and Vysoke kolo 1,509 m a.s.l.
Source area of the following rivers - CZ: Labe, Upa, Jizerka and Mumlava; in Poland: Uomnica and Kamienna
Glacier pools - CZ: Mechove jezirko; in Poland: Wielki Staw, Maly Staw and Sniezne Stawki
Waterfalls - CZ: Labsky vodopad, Pancavsky vodopad, Mumlavsky vodopad, Horni Upsky vodopad and Dolni Upsky vodopad; in Poland: wodospad Kamienczyka and wdsp. Szklarki Climate is cold and very humid; dominant direction of winds - west winds from the Atlantic; average temperature is from +6oC to 0oC
Permanent snow cover - app. 7 months; average height of snow cover - 150-200 cm; number of avalanche trails - app. 50
Number of vascular plants species - app. 1,200; dominant trees are Norway Spruce 87%, Swiss Mountain Pine 6,9%, European Beech 2,6% and Larch 0,9%
Number of Vertebrate Species - app. 250; representatives of mammals - roe deer, red deer, fox, marten and badger

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HISTORY

3rd – 2nd century BC A Celtic tribe, the Boii, settles in the region (Boiohaemum = home of the Boii)
5th – 6th century AD Arrivals of Slav tribes
1st half of 7th century Samos´s Empire
833 – 906/7 Greater Moravian Empire
874 - 891 Reign of Prince Borivoj I, the first known Przemyslid ruler
935 Prince Wenceslas murdered, declared the country´s patron saint later in the 10th century
1061 - 1092 Reign of Prince Vratislav II (becomes the first king of Bohemia in 1085)
25.09.1212 Sicilian Golden Bull confirms the inheritability of the crown for Bohemian sovereigns
1253 - 1278 Reign of King Przemysl Otakar II, Bohemia becomes a European power
26.08. 1278 Battle of Marchfeld, death of Przemysl Otakar II
04.08. 1306 King Wenceslas III, the last Przemyslid, murdered in Olomouc
1310 - 1437 House of Luxembourg reigns in Bohemia
1344 Prague becomes an archbishopric, commencement of the construction of St. Vitus´ Cathedral
26.08. 1346 Battle of Crécy, death of King John of Luxembourg
1346 - 1378 Reign of emperor Charles IV of Luxembourg
07.04. 1348 Foundation of Charles University in Prague
06.07.1415 Jan Hus (John Huss) burnt at the stake in Constance
30.07. 1419 First Defenestration of Prague: start of the Hussite Revolution
1471 -1526 Reign of the House of Jagiellonian
29.08.1526 Battle of Mohács, death of Ludwig Jagiellonian, king of Bohemia and Hungary
23.10. 1526 Ferdinand I, a Hapsburg, elected king of Bohemia
1526 - 1918 Reign of the House of Jagiellonian
08.11. 1620 Battle of White Mountain, defeat of the uprising of the Bohemian estates against king Ferdinand II
21.06. 1621 27 Czech lords, members of the Bohemian uprising, are executed
1740 - 1780 Reign of Maria Theresa
1780 - 1790 Josef II is king of Bohemia
02.12. 1805 Battle of the Three Emperors at Austerlitz
1848 - 1916 Reign of Franz Josef I
18.11. 1883 Opening of the National Theatre in Prague
1914 - 1918 First World War
28.10.1918 Establishment of an independent Czechoslovak Republic
29.9.1938 Signing of the Treaty of Munich on the hand-over of border areas to Germany
1939 - 1945 Second World War
16.3.1939 Establishment of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, country occupied by Germany
8.5.1945 End of the Second World War in Europe, restoration of the pre-war Czechoslovak Republic
25.2.1948 Communist take-over
21.8.1968 Invasion of the country by troops of the Warsaw Pact nations: end of the “Prague Spring”
Nov. – Dec. 1989 “Velvet Revolution”: end of Communist Party rule
1.1.1993 Establishment of an independent Czech Republic
12.3.1999 The Czech Republic was admitted to the NATO

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STATE AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

1st January New Year´s Day
  Easter Monday
1st May May Day (Labour day)
8th May National day – Day of Liberation from Fascism, 1945
5th July National Day – Day of Slavic Missionaries Constantin and Methodius
6th July National Day – Master John Huss was burnt at the stake in Constance, 1415
28th September National Day - Day of the Czech State
28th October National Holiday – Foundation of Independent Czechoslovak State, 1918
17th October National Holiday - Day of the fight for freedom and democracy
24th December Christmas Eve
25th December Christmas Day
26th December Boxing Day

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GETTING TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC

By air:
Prague´s Ruzyně International Airport is situated 16 Km (10 Ml) north-west of the centre. Trip time between centre and the terminal is 25-40 min. by taxi or shuttle, 45-60 min. by public transport.

By bus, by train or by car:
The Czech Republic can easily be reached by bus, by car or by train. A number of Czech and foreign companies provide international connections with other European countries. If you would like to know more information about the transport contact our office at web@oktours.cz.

Speed limitation:
50 km/hr.: Is the maximum allowed speed in built up areas 90 km/hr.: Is the maximum allowed speed for cars and buses of up to 3,500 kg on roads 130 km/hr.: Is the maximum allowed speed on motorways

The Czech traffic regulations are almost identical with those in effect in other countries.
The consumption of alcohol is not allowed before or during driving.
Seat belts must be fastened during the entire journey.
The fee for the use of motorways and roads by motor vehicles in the Czech Republic is paid in the form of the so-called motorways stickers.

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FAMOUS PERSONALITIES

Baťa Tomáš 1876 - 1932 Industrialist and businessman (Bata shoes)
Čapek Karel 1890 - 1938 Writer and dramatist, works: The White Illness, Krakatit, War with the Newts
Čáslavská Věra *1942 Gymnast, multiple Olympic champion
Destinnová Ema 1878 - 1930 Opera singer
Drtikol František 1883 - 1961 Photographer, painter and graphic designer
Dvořák Antonín 1841 - 1904 Composer, works: Symphony No.9 “From the New World”, Rusalka, Slavonic Dances
Forman Miloš *1932 Film director, works: One Flew Over the Cuckoo´s Nest, Hair, Amadeus, Man on the Moon
Freud Sigmund 1856 - 1939 Psychiatrist, the founder of psychoanalysis
Gočár Josef 1880 - 1945 Architect, works: the Church of St. Wenceslas in Prague, the Phoenix Palace in Prague
Hašek Jaroslav 1883 - 1923 Writer and journalist, works: The Good Soldier Švejk
Havel Václav *1936 Czech president, prominent playwright and poet, one of the leading intellectual figures and moral forces in Eastern Europe, works: The Garden Party, The Memorandum, Audience, The Increased Difficulty of Concentration
Heyrovský Jaroslav 1890 - 1967 Chemist, winner of the Nobel Prize in 1959, best known for inventing polarography
Hrabal Bohumil 1914 - 1997 Writer, works: Closely Watched Trains, The Gentle Barbarian
Hrozný Bedřich 1879 - 1952 Orientalist, deciphered the ancient language of the Hittites
Jágr Jaroslav *1972 Hockey player, Olympic champion in 1998
Janáček Leoš 1854 - 1928 Composer, works: Her Step-Daughter, The Cunning Little Vixen
Janský Jan 1873 - 1921 Doctor, discoverer of the four basic blood groups
Kafka Franz 1883 - 1924 Prague German writer, works: The Trial, The Castle, America
Kašpar Jan 1883 - 1927 Czech aviation engineer and pioneer
Kotěra Jan 1871 - 1923 Architect, works: the Law Faculty building in Prague
Kubelík Rafael Jeroným 1914 - 1996 Conductor, composer and violinist
Kupka František 1871 - 1957 Graphic artist, painter and illustrator
Lendl Ivan *1960 Tennis player, 270 weeks at the top of the world rankings
Lexa František 1876 - 1960 Egyptologist and archaeologist
Mahler Gustav 1860 - 1911 Composer and conductor, works: symphonies and cycles of songs, Earth Song
Martinů Bohuslav 1890 - 1959 Composer, teacher and violinist, works: Greek Passions, “Špalíček”
Masaryk Tomáš Garrigue 1850 - 1937 Politician, philosopher and the first president of Czechoslovakia (1918 – 1935)
Maxová Tereza *1971 The world known top model
Mendel Johann Gregor 1822 - 1884 Founder of genetics
Mucha Alfons 1860 - 1939 Painter, graphic artist and designer, works: advertising posters, The Slav Epic
Navrátilová Martina *1956 Tenis player, holder of nineteen Wimbledon titles
Purkyně Jan Evangelista 1787 - 1869 Scholar, scientist and philosopher
Radetzky of Radeč, Count Jan Josef Václav 1766 - 1858 Field marshal
Saudek Jan *1935 Photographer
Seifert Jaroslav 1901 - 1986 Poet, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1984
Skupa Josef 1892 - 1957 Designer, puppeteer (creator of the characters Spejbl and Hurvínek) and dramatist
Smetana Bedřich 1824 - 1894 Composer, works: Libuše, The Bartered Bride, My Country
Sudek Josef 1896 - 1976 Artistic photographer
Škoda Emil 1839 - 1900 Industrialist (engineering)
Wichterle Otto 1913 - 1998 Chemist, inventor of soft contact lenses
Zátopek Emil 1922 - 2000 Athlete, multiple Olympic champion
Zítek Josef 1832 - 1909 Architect, works: the National Theatre in Prague

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BASIC TRAVEL COST

food(rest)local: 70 - 200 CZK
bread: 15+ CZK
wine: 50 - 150 CZK
coffee: 20 - 40 CZK
Mineral Water: 1.5lt 13+CZK
Coke (can): 15 +CZK
beer (rest): 15 -30 CZK
breakfast (Cont.): 40 CZK, breakfast(Am) 60-100 CZK, breakfast(local) 20 CZK
ice Cream: 5+ CZK
newspaper(foreign): 60 CZK

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FOOD

A typical Czech meal is central European, with German, Hungarian and Polish influences. Meat is a huge feature, along with big portions of dumplings, potatoes or rice topped with a thick sauce, and a heavily cooked vegetable or sauerkraut. International food options are increasing.

Here is a list of typical national meal:
knedlo-vepro-zelo: dumplings, sauerkraut, and roast pork
veprove: roast pork
svickova: thick sauce with dumplings
bramborak: potatoes pancake
bramborovy salat se sekanou: potatoes salad with mince
gulas s knedliky: goulash with dumplings
Carp & Trout are popular fish options

Deserts:
buchty: stuffed cake (filled with poppy-seeds, jam or cottage cheese)
jablkovy zavin: apple strudel
lazenske oplatky: spa biscuits
ovocne knedliky: fruit dumplings
palacinky: pancakes

Drinks:
kava: coffee - turecka kava - Turkish is the cheapest option
caj: tea
pivo: beer in pubs - Pilsner Urquell, Budweiser or Staropramen
vino: wine, the main producer is Moravia
Becherovka: herb liqueur
Slivovice: plum brandy

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