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Czech Republic in 10 points
| 1. |
Capital: |
Prague |
| 2. |
Population: |
10,3 million |
| 3. |
Ethnic profile: |
- |
| 4. |
Borders: |
Austria, Germany, Poland and Slovakia |
| 5. |
Main language: |
Czech |
| 6. |
Currency: |
Koruna |
| 7. |
Local delicacy: |
Meat, dumplings and sauerkraut with thick sauce |
| 8. |
Country profile: |
This landlocked country, nestled in between Poland, Slovakia, Austria and Germany, has long played a pivotal role in the history of central Europe. The Czech Republic consists of three historic regions - Bohemia, Moravia and the Czech part of Silesia. The regional government of Silesia has signed an agreement with the National Assembly of Wales to develop mutual projects. After World War II, a truncated Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize Communist party rule and create "socialism with a human face" during the Prague Spring under the leadership of the reformist Alexander Dubcek. Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following year ushered in a period of harsh repression. The communist system finally collapsed in the "Velvet Revolution" (link) of 1989. After more than forty years of communist dictatorship former playwright and dissident Václav Havel was elected President of Czechoslovakia, symbolising the re-emergence of democracy in the Czech lands. |
| 9. |
Culture: |
Czech Republic's location and history have formed the national character and culture, which have both Germanic and Slavic elements. Prague, the capital, has through the centuries acquired an unrivalled richness of architectural treasures which have earned it a place on UNESCO's world culture heritage list. The Czech Republic has made a significant contribution to European culture. Czech composers include Antonin Dvorák, Bedrich Smetana and Leos Janácek. Mozart lived and worked in Prague for some time. The world premier of the opera Don Giovanni was held there in 1787. In literature, Franz Kafka, Jaroslav Hasek and Milan Kundera provide examples of a rich Czech literary tradition. Well-known Czech artists include the early eighteenth century painter Petr Brandl and the Art Nouveau painter and poster artist Alfons Mucha, while Czech cinema has produced names like Milos Forman, Jan Sverák and Jirí Menzel. |
| 10. |
Do you know that: |
The Czech Republic is amongst the best in the world for marionette and puppet theatre. Martina Navratilova and Sigmund Freud were Czech-born. |
Interesting links
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Wales |
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Wales lies on the mid-west coast of the United Kingdom. The geology of Wales has shaped the country's history with its mountainous terrain providing a natural fort against...
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