Historical Timeline
January 6, 870 (Wednesday) – Founding of Great Moravia: First Slavic state in the region
March 2, 1415 (Sunday) – Execution of Jan Hus: Bohemian religious reformer burned at the stake
November 8, 1620 (Monday) – Battle of White Mountain: Habsburg victory begins 300 years of rule
October 28, 1918 (Monday) – Establishment of Czechoslovakia: Independence declared from Austro-Hungarian Empire
September 30, 1938 (Friday) – Munich Agreement: Ceded Sudetenland to Nazi Germany
March 15, 1939 (Wednesday) – Nazi Occupation of Czech Lands
May 9, 1945 (Wednesday) – Liberation from Nazi occupation by Soviet forces
February 25, 1948 (Wednesday) – Communist coup d’état: Czechoslovakia becomes part of the Eastern Bloc
August 20–21, 1968 (Tuesday–Wednesday) – Warsaw Pact Invasion: End of Prague Spring reforms
November 17, 1989 (Friday) – Velvet Revolution begins
December 29, 1989 (Friday) – Václav Havel elected president
January 1, 1993 (Friday) – Czech Republic established: Peaceful split from Slovakia (Velvet Divorce)
May 1, 2004 (Saturday) – EU Membership
July 22, 1997 (Tuesday) – Central Europe Floods: One of the worst natural disasters in modern Czech history
General Information
Continent: Europe
Location: Central Europe, landlocked; bordered by Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Poland
Capital: Prague
Language: Czech (official)
Currency: Czech koruna (CZK)
Population: ~10.5 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) / Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2)
Topography
Borders: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Poland
Landscape: Hills, plateaus, river basins, and mountain ranges
Major Rivers: Elbe (Labe), Vltava, Morava, Ohře
Major Mountains: Krkonoše (Giant Mountains), Šumava, Ore Mountains (Krušné hory), Jeseníky
Deserts: None
Lakes: Lake Mácha, Lipno Reservoir, Orlík Reservoir
Volcanoes: Extinct volcanic hills in České středohoří
Highest Point: Sněžka (1,603 m / 5,259 ft)
Lowest Point: Labe River at Hřensko (115 m / 377 ft)
Climate: Temperate continental climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters
Geological Features: Mostly upland and basin terrain; rich in karst formations and mineral springs
Demography
Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Czech (approx. 95%), with minorities including Slovaks, Ukrainians, Vietnamese, and Roma
Religion: Mostly unaffiliated (approx. 60%), Roman Catholic (about 10%), Protestant and other Christian minorities
Urban Population: ~73% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: One of the most secular countries in the world; high literacy and education levels
Culture
Famous For: Medieval towns, castles, beer culture, classical music, literature
Cuisine: Svíčková, Guláš, Vepřo knedlo zelo, Trdelník, Czech beer
Arts: Strong traditions in classical music (e.g. Dvořák, Smetana), puppetry, architecture, and film
Sports: Ice hockey, football (soccer), tennis, athletics
Economy
Economy Type: Developed, high-income, export-driven industrial economy
GDP: Approx. $370 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Automotive, machinery, electronics, metallurgy, glass and beer production
Key Exports: Cars, machinery, electronics, chemicals, beer
Unemployment Rate: ~3.1% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Industrial hubs include Prague, Brno, Ostrava, and Plzeň
Government
Government Type: Parliamentary republic
Head of State: President Petr Pavel (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Petr Fiala (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (Chamber of Deputies and Senate)
Constitution: In effect since 1993
Travel Attractions
Prague: Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town Square
Český Krumlov: Historic town and castle (UNESCO site)
Kutná Hora: Gothic architecture and Bone Church
Karlovy Vary & Mariánské Lázně: Historic spa towns
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 14 (including Lednice-Valtice, Telč, Litomyšl Castle)