World Country Guide

General Information

Area
78,866 sq km (30,450 sq miles).

Population
10,203,269 (2002).

Population Density
129.4 per sq km.

Capital
Prague. Population: 1,161,938 (2002).

Geography
The Czech Republic is situated in central Europe, sharing frontiers with Germany, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Austria. Only about one-quarter of the size of the British Isles, the republic is hilly and picturesque, with historic castles, romantic valleys and lakes, as well as excellent facilities to ‘take the waters’ at one of the famous spas or to ski and hike in the mountains. Among the most beautiful areas are the river valleys of the Vltava (Moldau) and Labe (Elbe), the hilly landscape and rocky mountains. Bohemia, to the west, is one of two main regions. Besides Prague, the Czech capital, tourists are drawn to the spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Marinsk Lzne, and to the very beautiful region of south Bohemia. The Elbe flows through eastern Bohemia from the Krkonose/Giant mountains, one of the most popular skiing regions. The eastern part, the rich agricultural area of Moravia offers a variety of wooded highlands, vineyards, folk art and castles. There are many historic towns such as Olomouc, Kromerz and Telc. Brno is Moravia’s administrative and cultural centre.

Government
Republic since 1993. Head of State: President Vclav Klaus since 2003. Head of Government: Prime Minister Stanislav Gross since 2004.

Language
The official language is Czech. English and German are also spoken.

Religion
Mostly Roman Catholic and some Protestant, including churches such as the Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, Unity of Czech Brothers and Baptist. There is a small community of Jews, mainly in Prague. According to the March 2001 national Census, 60 per cent of the population profess no religious beliefs.

Time
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the European/continental summertime).

Electricity
Generally 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Most major hotels have standard international two-pin razor plugs. Lamp fittings are normally of the screw type.

Communications

Telephone
Full IDD is available. Country code: 420. Outgoing international code: 00. There are public telephone booths, including special kiosks for international calls. Surcharges can be quite high on long-distance calls from hotels. Most of the public telephone boxes take phonecards, which can be purchased at all Telecom points of sale and at newsagent and tobacconist shops.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900/1800. Network operators include Cesky Mobil (website: www.oskarmobil.cz), Eurotel (website: www.eurotel.cz) and T Mobile (website: www.t-mobile.cz). Coverage extends all over the country.

Fax
Services are available in most hotels and offices and some shops.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in Prague. Local ISPs include Tiscali (website: www.tiscali.cz). Roaming agreements exist.

Telegram
Facilities are available at all main towns and hotels.

Post
There is a 24-hour service at the main post office in Prague at 14 Jindrissk Street, Prague 1. Poste Restante services are available throughout the country. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800.

Press
The Prague Post and Prague Wochenblatt (both weekly) are published in English. The main Czech dailies include Mlad Fronta Dnes, Moravskoslezsk den, Prvo and Veernk Praha.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.