|
| Czech Republic
|
 |
|
| Locality |
Central Europe |
| Area |
78.86 km2 (30.442 miles2) |
| Population |
10.3 millions |
| Capital |
Praha (Prague) |
| Language |
Czech |
| Religion |
Roman Catholic, Protestant, ... |
| Currency |
Czech crown (koruna česká) = 100 hallers (haléř) |
| Electricity |
230 volts (two round-pin plugs) |
| Bank Opening Hours |
Mo.-Fri. 8AM - 5PM |
|
| Brief History |
The area covered by the Czech republic (comprising the historic lands of
Bohemia, Moravia and part of Silesia) was successively occupied by Celts, Teutons, and, in
the 6th century AD, by Slav tribes, who formed the Great Moravian Empire.
Under Charles IV, Praha (Prague) became the political and cultural center
of the empire.
In later years, the country was torn by political and religious strife; preacher Jan Hus
was burned at the stake in 1415, while the Thirty Years' War was heralded in 1618, by
tossing Catholic councilors out the window of Prague's Castle. After the battle of the
Bílá Hora (White Mountain) in 1620 (protestants defeated), the Czechs were ruled from
Vienna by the Hapsburgs.
| 1918 - |
the collapse of the Hapsburg Empire led to the
creation of the new state of Czechoslovakia |
| 1938 - |
the Munich Conference left the prosperous and
politically stable country powerless in the face of Nazi Germany |
| 1939 - |
the country was dismembered, with Bohemia and
Moravia becoming a Nazi protectorate |
| 1945 - |
U.S. troops liberated western Bohemia, and the
Red Army freed the rest of the country |
| 1948 - |
Communists seized power |
| 1968 - |
"The Prague Summer 68" - an attempt of
reformists to establish "Socialism with a human face," led by Alexander Dubcek,
was crushed by Soviet-led troops |
| 1989 - |
with the collapse of Communism throughout
Eastern Europe, the Czechs brought about the Velvet Revolution. Playwright
Václav Havel
was elected president. |
| 1992 - |
differences between Czechs and Slovaks on how to
form a new democratic state led to an agreement separate. |
| 1993 - |
the Czech Republic was proclaimed on Jan. 1,
1993 |
|
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