Otázka: The Czech Republic and its capital city
Jazyk: Angličtina
Přidal(a): TomLuc
Geographical facts
- Its situated in Central Europe
- Neighbouring states are Poland (north), Germany (west), Austria (south), and Slovakia (east). Borders are mainly firmed by giant mountains with highest point Sněžka, Šumava Mountains, and Jeseníky Mountains. We divide country into three parts. Bohemia, Moravia and Silezia. Main highlands are Bohemie-Moravian highland, Šumava highland, Czech highland and more. Except highlands there are of course lowlands. Lowland in Polabí, Silezian lowland and others. In lowlands usually flows rivers. Labe is the longest river in Czech Republic and flows into Northern Sea, second biggest river is Vltava and third one is Morava. Alongside rivers there are also dams and lakes. Biggest lakes are Orlík and Lipno. Many lakes or ponds are located in south Bohemia. For example Rožmberk, Svět and Spolský rybník.
Climate
- Czech Republic has moderate climate with four seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter. With moderate winters and quite how and dry summers.
Political system
- Since 1933 the Czech Republic has a new constitution. Czech Republic is a parliamentary democratic state with president as a head of state. The parliament consists of his two chambers: the house of Deputies (200) and the Senate (81). The head of the government is the Prime Minister. Except him there are other 14 ministers. Currency is Czech crown.
Population
- Czech republic has about 10,6 million citizens. Scatter of population is even over the area. Except Czechs lives here Romanians, Vietnamese and people from Ukraine. Main language is Czech language but people also understand polish, Slovakian and some of them deutsch.
Towns
- Location
- Size
- Famous for
Economy
- Czech Republic is also really developed country with regard to economy. Big part on economy has agriculture and growing the crops. Also extraction of coal and limestone played and still playing its role. Car manufacture is also typical for our economy. Especially Škoda auto. In history its own role played textile production.
Sports
- For Czech nation is typical passion for sports. Mainly hockey, because our national team is really good and some of the Czech players play in NHL which is the best ice hockey competition in the world. On the second place there is a football. With football is situation same as it’s with hockey.
Historical facts
- First mention about our state is in middle ages. In 13th century we had a kingdom. The most famous king was Charles IV. He established university in Prague. In 1620 there was a battle of the White Mountain, then Czech lands became part of Austria. After the WWI. The Czechoslovakia was established. After the WWII. The communist party won the election and many people had to leave our country. In November 1989 took place Velvet revolution which ended the Soviet reign.
Famous people/celebrities
- Even though we are quiet small country, many famous celebrities came from here. For example sportsman Jágr, Čech, Špotáková, artists Seifert, Čapek and for example Forman
Places of interest/ sightseeing
- Czech Republic is lying in the centre of Europe, so our culture life is I would say mix of many different countries. On the other hand our country can offer many interesting places four tourists. Most popular is capital city Prague where you can visit Prague castle, Carlsbridge, castle Karlštejn also in Bohemian, you can visit spa city Karlovy Vary
The capital city – Prague
- 500 sq. km, 1 200 000 inhabitants
- It is the capital of the Czech Republic, the biggest and the oldest city in the CZ. It lies in the heart of Europe on the river Vltava. It is very beautiful city with many historical buildings and monuments. It’s sometimes called town with hundred towers because of big amount of towers (550)
- Prague is divided into many boroughs (10 parts) – the historical centre is made up by the Old Town, Josefov, the Lesser Quarter, Hradčany, the New Town and Vyšehrad
- Prague is the seat of our President, Czech government, all important state ministries and the Czech Parliament
History
- The oldest settlement of this region dates back 25 000 years
- During the 11th century Prague became the centre of the economic life, Vyšehrad was the seat of Czech rulers
- Prague became the imperial residence of Charles IV in 14th century
- In 1918 Prague became the capital of Czechoslovakia
- In 1939 Prague was occupied by German Troops and in 1942 strongly persecuted after assassination of protector Heidrich
- On August 21st 1968 Prague was occupied by the Warsaw Pact Troops (as well as the rest of our republic) in order to stop democratic reform in the country
- After 40 years of totalitarian depression, on November 17th 1989, the Velvet Revolution took place there. Huge demonstrations started on Národní Street.
Places of interest
- The Prague Castle – a residence of the Czech dukes since 9th century
- The Vyšehrad Castle – connected with old Czech legends, situated on the bank of the River Vltava
- Wenceslas Square – centre of the city
- The statue of the Czech patron – St. Wenceslas
Transport
- The biggest problem is pollution. I think that the public transport is very good, you can get everywhere, you don’t have to wait for so long, and it takes you a lot to get from one to another part of the city sometimes. A lot of busses, trams, underground have three lanes. No trolley-busses
- Problem might be the lack of parking places. You can also use boat to travel, but it is more like tourist attraction than mean of transport.
