51 Facts About Czechia (Czech Republic)

Czech Republic, officially the Czech Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Europe.

The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe.

Historically known as Bohemia, it is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the southeast.

It has a total area of 78,867 square km. 

Prague is its capital and largest city. 

Czech is the official language of Czech Republic. 

Czech koruna (CZK) is its official currency. 

The Czech Republic is ranked sixth in the world by the Global Peace Index in 2016 because of its lack of international and domestic conflict, as well as its low crime rate.

The language has formal and informal forms, and natives are patient with foreigners who misuse them. They are proud of their Czech language, which is ranked as the second most difficult language to learn by the United States Foreign Institute. They take pride in their ability to control it.

Puppetry and marionette exhibitions are popular with both children and adults, and puppetry festivals are held all over the country every year. The puppet museum in Prague hosts daily shows and has the world's largest collection.

The Czech Republic is famous around the world for its individually made mouth-blown decorated art glass and crystal.

The Czechs have the world's highest per capita beer consumption. Its first known brewery was established in 993. Pilsners were invented here, as were the first blond pilsners. Every year, several beer festivals are held.

The Nazis virtually annihilated the Jewish population of Bohemia and Moravia during the Holocaust. According to the census, there were 118,000 Jews in 1930, but only 4000 in 2005.

The Czech Republic has one of the world's least religious populations, with only 19% claiming to believe in God.

The Czechs enjoy mushroom hunting as a recreational activity. In the damp forests of autumn, it is a national pastime. They gather every year on St. Václav Day in September, and the hunts can be fierce.

People who enjoy parks and gardens will find the Czech Republic to be a true paradise. In addition to broadleaf and conifer forests, rivers, and mountains, it has 25 protected landscaped areas and four national parks.

The Czech Republic's tourism industry is thriving. It has an impressive architectural heritage, with 12 UNESCO monuments to visit and admire, as well as many centuries' worth of monuments, buildings, towers, bridges, and castles.

Prague has been known as the "handsomest city of Europe" since the 18th century. With over 700 rooms, Prague Castle is the largest in Europe. Every summer, the pedestrian Charles Bridge over the Vitava River is packed with painters, vendors, musicians, and tourists.

The republic, known as the world's castle capital, has over 2000 castles, ruins, and keeps for visitors to tour and enjoy. St. Vitrus Cathedral in Prague Castle houses the Czech crown jewels and is where Czech kings are buried.

The Astronomical Clock, the annual Christmas market, cafes, street entertainers, the 1338 Old Town Hall, and baroque era buildings are all located in the Old Town Square.

For those seeking a stress-free vacation, the spa towns of Karlovy Vary, Mariaské Lázn, Frantikovy Lázn, and Jáchymov provide oases of comfort and relaxation.

The Czech Aquapalace Praha is Central Europe's largest water park for children.

Gregor Mendel (genetics), Alphonse Mucha (visual arts), Franz Kafka (literary arts), and Martina Navratilova and Ivan Lendl are some Czechs who are internationally renowned in their fields of endeavour (Sports-tennis).

Throughout the history of the Czech people, there have been many inventors, including the first grounded lightning rod, the screw propeller, the modern compass, sugar cubes, photogravure, the arc lamp, the plastic explosive Semtex, and soft contact lenses.

In 1927, Czech citizens Frantsek Burian and Arnold Jirásek established the first plastic surgery practise.

The tourism industry contributes significantly to the Czech economy.

The Czech Republic has a developed economy with a high standard of living. In fact, it is the most stable and prosperous of the post-communist states, with the European Union's lowest unemployment rate.

Czech favourites include Vepo Knedlo Zelo, a roast pork with bread dumplings and stewed cabbage, and Bramboráky, or potato pancakes served with sauerkraut.

Popular dishes include Koprová (dill-sauced beef with dumplings) and Gulá (beef and pork stews served with dumplings or bread). The Czechs adore beef.

'Pečená kachna' is a traditional roast duck dish served with bread or potato dumplings, braised red cabbage, and tartar sauce. Carp is a traditional Christmas dinner dish.

Beer and wines from Czech vineyards are popular with meals.

The Czech state was founded in the late ninth century as the Duchy of Bohemia under the Great Moravian Empire.

It was admitted to the vast Holy Roman Empire in 1004 and became the Kingdom of Bohemia in 1198.

Its wealth and power peaked as the Kingdom of Bohemia in the 13th and 14th centuries.

By 1526, the Crown of Bohemia, along with the Archduchy of Austria and the Kingdom of Hungary, had been gradually integrated into the Hapsburg Monarchy.

The Thirty Years War began with a Protestant Bohemian revolt against the Catholic Habsburgs. After the war, the monarchy consolidated its rule, began a gradual Germanization, and reinstituted Catholicism.

When the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved in 1806 and the Austrian Empire was formed, the Bohemian Kingdom became a part of it.

The Republic of Czechoslovakia was established in 1918, following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire following World War I. The Czech language experienced a revival as a result of a wave of romantic nationalism.

During World War II, Germany occupied the Czech Republic. In 1945, the United States and the Soviet Union liberated them. At the end of the war, the majority of the country's German-speaking people were expelled.

Under Soviet influence, the country had become Communist by 1946.

The communist regime fell during the 1989 Velvet Revolution, and Czechoslovakia was peacefully dissolved in June 1993. It was divided into two independent states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The garnet trade is prevalent due to the proximity of garnet mines. Garnet jewellery can be found in city markets.

The Czech Republic has the highest number of hospital beds per capita in the EU. Unfortunately, they are likely to require them, as they have the highest cancer death rate in the EU.

On average, the Republic ranks among the top ten countries in the world for internet speed. The main international airport in the Czech Republic is Václav Havel Airport Prague, but there are six others that offer international flights. The country has 46 airports in total.

On December 21, 2007, the republic abolished all border controls, opening its borders to all of its neighbours.

The Dancing House, designed by architect Frank D. Gehry in Prague, pays homage to famous dancing partners Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers. The official name of the Nationale-Nederlanden building.

The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague is a monument to the victims of the Holocaust and includes five synagogues in its complex.

The Charles University in Prague, founded in 1348, is one of the world's oldest continuously operating universities. According to one World University ranking from 2006, it is the leading university in Eastern Europe.

Skoda Auto, Europe's largest car manufacturer, is headquartered in the Czech Republic.

Cesky Krumlov (Castle Krumlov), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the country's second most popular tourist destination. The castle season in the Czech Republic typically lasts from April 1 to November 1. On Mondays, they are closed.

The Adrspach-Teplice Rocks in the Bohemian region look like giants used them to stack up like building blocks. Paths lead to out-of-the-way rock formations popular with rock climbers. Keep an eye out for Peregrine Falcons, which have permanent breeding grounds in the area.