CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe and a member state of the European Union. The country has borders with Poland to the north, Germany to the northwest and west, Austria to the south, and Slovakia to the east. The historic city of Prague, a major tourist attraction, is its capital and largest city. Other major cities include Brno, Ostrava, Zlín, Plzen, Pardubice, Hradec Králové, Ceské Budejovice, Liberec, Olomouc, and Ústí nad Labem.

Location

The republic is bounded in the west by Germany, north by Poland, east by Slovakia and south by Austria.

Geography

Landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe.

Capital

Prague

Population

10,235,455 (July 2006 est.)

Climate

Temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters.

Language

Czech

Monetary Unit

Koruna

Largest Cities

Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Plzen

Principal rivers

Elbe (Labe), Vitava (Moldau), Morava

Places to Visit

Berno, Ostrava, Prague, Tatras Mountains, Karlovy Vary

Air Ports

Ruzyne International Airport (Prague), Mosnov Airport (Ostrava)