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The Czech
Republic
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Population
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Region
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People
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Geography
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The Czech
Republic is
located in
the Northern
Hemisphere,
approximately
in the
middle of
the European
Continent.
Its
neighboring
states are
Germany (to
the west),
Poland (to
the north),
Slovakia (to
the east,
which
together
with the
Czech
Republic
constituted
Czechoslovakia
until 1992)
and Austria
(to the
south).
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Climate |
The climate
differs
markedly
among the
various
regions of
the Czech
Republic,
depending on
the height
above sea
level.
Generally
speaking,
the higher
you are,
average
temperatures
may drop
more and
rainfall is
more likely.
Many other
factors also
play a role
in this –
the border
mountain
ranges, for
example,
significantly
influence
ground-level
air flow and
rainfall.
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Average
Yearly
Temperature
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The average
air
temperature
is strongly
dependent on
the height
above sea
level. When
the
temperature
on the
highest
mountain in
the Czech
Republic,
Sněžka
(1,602
meters), is
only 0.4 °C,
the lowlands
of southeast
Moravia can
experience
temperatures
of almost 10
°C. The
highest
average air
temperatures
have also
been
recorded in
Prague,
where the
effect of
the city
climate has
a warming
effect – the
“heat
island”
phenomenon |
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Local
fare |
Dobrou chuť"
is what
Czechs say
to each
other before
they begin a
meal. It
means "Bon
appetit" or
"Hope it
tastes
good!" Most
Czechs enjoy
their food
very much
and
mealtimes
are special
occasions.
Czech food
is rich and
hearty, but
if you've
never tried
it, there
are a few
things worth
knowing. The
"knedlik" is
the most
common side
dish. It is
a dumpling,
made of
either wheat
or potato
flour that
is boiled as
a roll of
dough, then
cut into
slices and
served with
gravy. Most
dishes are
pork, or
beef, but
chicken,
turkey,
fresh-water
fish, duck,
lamb and
rabbit are
common, too.
On menus you
often see
the word
"Medallions":
it just
means a
piece of
meat, sliced
flat, like a
medal. A "spis"
is like a
shish-kebab,
grilled meat
and
vegetables
on a spear.
"Svickova"
(pronounced
sveech-kova)
is the
national
dish. And
get ready to
eat lots of
potatoes.
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Tourist Office
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http://www.czechtourism.com/
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Did you know? |
The first
genuine
state
structure on
the
territory of
the Czech
Republic was
the Great
Moravian
Empire. In
an effort to
limit
dependence
on the
Frankish
kingdom,
Prince
Rostislav
sent a
mission to
the
Byzantine
Emperor
Michael III
requesting
that he send
some
priests. In
863, the
brothers
Constantine
(Cyril) and
Methodius,
who hailed
from
Salonika,
came to
Great
Moravia.
They used
Old Church
Slavonic as
the
liturgical
language. By
creating an
Old Slavonic
script, they
founded
Slavonic
literature,
which later
developed in
Serbia,
Croatia,
Bulgaria and
other
countries.
They
strengthened
their
position
when they
received the
pope’s
consent for
the use of
Old Church
Slavonic.
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Prague City
Highlights
Zoological Garden
in Prague
The zoo specializes
in the breeding of
animal species that
are endangered by
eradication - such
as the Przewalski
horse, antelopes,
beasts, water fowl
and lizards. The zoo
had significant
merit in saving the
gene resources of
the Przewalski
horse; it cooperates
in the program of
repatriation of the
lammergeyer,
creeping vole and
night heron. It
participates in 45
European breeding
EEP programs. A part
of the exposition is
about 300 species of
rare plants and tree
species, some of
which are unique
Prague Castle
It’s not just an old
castle but the best
place to get a
spectacular view of
the entire city, to
meet friends, or to
just take a rest in
the shadow of St.
Vitus’s Cathedral.
And believe me,
you’ll need a break.
This is the largest
castle complex in
the world, and it
takes at least half
a day to go through
the buildings and
discover such
treasures as the
crown jewels, art
collections, and
priceless
manuscripts, books,
and historical
documents.
Beskydy Mountains
In the eastern
region of Moravia,
the Beskydy
Mountains form one
of the most
beautiful areas in
the country. The
influence of
shepherds who
settled there in the
12th century blended
with that of the
regional farmers and
gave rise to the
unique style of folk
architecture used to
build the colorful
timber houses found
throughout the area.
The local people are
known not only for
their warm
hospitality but also
for the variety of
folk art they
produce.
The Village of
Holasovice
“This picturesque
village in South
Bohemia sits on the
northern border of
Blanensky Forest,
surrounded by
peaceful marshland.
The most remarkable
thing about
Holasovice is its
folk architecture, a
unique style called
rural baroque that
is based on baroque,
rococo, and
classical elements.
The profusion of
pastel-painted
buildings with
rounded roof gables
and facades
decorated with rural
motifs has earned
the village a place
among UNESCO’s World
Heritage sites.
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