Czech Republic

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Czech Republic is state landlocked in the middle of Europe, sometimes called "heart of Europe". Size of country is almost 79,000 square kilometers, which makes it 2% of European Union. Just for better understanding, that is size comparable with Austria, or Ireland and would fit in France seven times. The country comprises three historical lands - Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. Bohemia is largest, and most industrial part of country. The area of Moravia is half the size of Bohemia, and most agricultural part and the smallest land, Silesia, has an area of approximately 4,500 square kilometers, known for mining industry.

1 Basic data
2 Important numbers
3 CS in Czech Republic
4 Climate
5 Waters and mountains
6 Regions
7 Getting there
8 Accomodation
9 Transportation
10 Sports in Czech Republic
11 Exceptional places outside Cities

Basic data

Capital -> Prague

Population -> 10,2 mil

Government -> parliamentary democracy, with Prime Minister as a head of government and President as representative (very limited power)

Currency -> Czech Crown

Language -> Czech

Important numbers

Integrated safety system 112 Fire department 150 Ambulance 155 Police 158

CS in Czech Republic

CS info panel about Czech Republic. Number of couchsurfers up to March 2008 -> 2235 Couchsurfers

Czech Republic group on CS. (for regions please see sub-groups on CS)

Climate

Ussualy described as mild with winters quite cold reaching almost -20°C, but ussualy settled about -5°C (doesn't fit to winters of 2007 and 2008). Spring is ussualy cold in its begining, characteristical with light wind, caused by return of warm "Golf Stream wind" and leaving of cold "Russian wind". Summer might be hot reaching eventually +35°C with often refresing rains and storms. Autumn is in the name of colors providing with beatiful sceneries of aging leafs in different colors.

According to author of this article is comfortable wear sandals since late April till late of October. (Author is, but kind of hardcore so please don't take it so seriosly)

Check actual weather conditions on Czech Hydrometeorological Institute

Waters and mountains

Waters and mountains are the dominant elements that make uniqueness and variety of the Czech Republic's terrain. Mountain ranges surround the country on almost all sides and have served as a natural border in the past. Some of Europe's largest rivers, e. g. the Elbe (Labe), have their origins in the Czech Republic. Experts speak of the territory of the Czech Republic as the roof of Europe. The main European watershed extends through the country, dividing the drainage areas of the north and south seas, which make Europe into a gigantic peninsula. Here we can even find the massif, Kralický Sněžník (1,423 meters), from which water runs into three different seas according to which slope receives rain. The North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea meet here.

The Bohemian basin is surrounded on all sides by an important mountainous belt; only eastward from Moravia is it then separated by the lower Czech-Moravian highlands. Two of the four Czech national parks protect the border mountain ranges – Šumava and the Krkonoše. The sources of the most important Czech rivers can also be found in these ranges – the Elbe in the Krkonoše and the Vltava in Šumava. The highest mountain range in the Czech Republic is the Krkonoše, the ridge of which creates a natural border with the neighboring Republic of Poland. At this point on the border, we can also find the highest mountain in the Czech Republic, called Sněžka (derived from the Czech word for snow), which is 1,602 m high. It truly lives up to its name – snow can be found here more than half the year. The area of the Krkonoše Mountains is one of the most sought-after regions for winter sports in the Czech Republic as a result of its snow conditions and steep slopes.

Useful information, plenty of nice pictures and even some on-line cameras are to be found on Ceske Hory and Holiday info

In case that You prefere being active and want to see more than just capital look at Active holiday

Regions

Aside from Capital there are another 11 UNESCO sites. Brno, Kutna Hora, Cesky Krumlov, Olomouc, Lednice Valtice, Kromeriz, Telc, Litomysl, Trebic, Zdar nad Sazavou and Holasovice.

External links

Official website of Czech Republic

Getting there

By Plane: You might land on a several international Airports most probably in Prague, or on other airport which are Brno, Ostrava, Pardubice, Karlovy Vary, Hosín and Kunovice. Airlines There are a number of low-cost airlines that fly to Prague. [1], Jet2.com, Easyjet.com, clickair.com and Skyeurope.com. Unfortunately Ryanair and Wizzair are not providing services at the time of writing.

By Bus: Travelling by bus is relatively cheap especially using [2]. Eurolines is a rip off and tickets can be 3 times the price! If you take bus direction inland Czech rep. you might experience a language barrier or you might miss your destination point as most of the bus stops do not have signs.

More information about how to get to Prague is in the Get in section of the Wikitravel.org. Also take a look at our How to get here section of the Czech Republic page.

Accomodation

Associasion of hotels in Czech Republic

Accomodation in Czech Republic

Holiday in Czech

Abaka

Accomodation in Czech

Vacation in Czech

Hotels-Czech

Accmodation in mountains

Camping

Transportation

Public transport in the Czech Republic is very convenient and reliable. You can reach any place by train or bus.
Train in general is more comfortable, goes everywhere, there is always vacant seat and is better for traveling longer distance.
Bus on the other hand has more frequent schedule in between major destinations and is cheaper. You need to buy tickets in advance though.

The easy way of finding any shedule is integrated site Idos authorised by Ministry of Transport.

Student Agency controls major bus routes. Bus from Prague to Brno every hour for 200CZK. Prague to Cesky Krumlov - 160CZK.

Price for train ticket is approximately 1.2 CZK for a kilometer. Always cheaper to buy return ticket and/or travel in a group.