Portal:Czech Republic

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Welcome to the Czech Portal!
Vítejte na Českém portálu!

The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central and Eastern 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. The Czech Republic has a hilly landscape that covers an area of 78,871 square kilometers (30,452 sq mi) with a mostly temperate continental and oceanic climate. The capital and largest city is Prague; other major cities and urban areas include Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň and Liberec.

The Duchy of Bohemia was founded in the late 9th century under Great Moravia. It was formally recognized as an Imperial State of the Holy Roman Empire in 1002 and became a kingdom in 1198. Following the Battle of Mohács in 1526, all of the Crown lands of Bohemia were gradually integrated into the Habsburg monarchy. Nearly a hundred years later, the Protestant Bohemian Revolt led to the Thirty Years' War. After the Battle of White Mountain, the Habsburgs consolidated their rule. With the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, the Crown lands became part of the Austrian Empire.

In the 19th century, the Czech lands became more industrialized, and in 1918 most of it became part of the First Czechoslovak Republic following the collapse of Austria-Hungary after World War I. Czechoslovakia was the only country in Central and Eastern Europe to remain a parliamentary democracy during the entirety of the interwar period. After the Munich Agreement in 1938, Nazi Germany systematically took control over the Czech lands.

Czechoslovakia was restored in 1945 and three years later became an Eastern Bloc communist state following a coup d'état in 1948. Attempts to liberalize the government and economy were suppressed by a Soviet-led invasion of the country during the Prague Spring in 1968. In November 1989, the Velvet Revolution ended communist rule in the country and restored democracy. On 31 December 1992, Czechoslovakia was peacefully dissolved, with its constituent states becoming the independent states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The Czech Republic is a unitary parliamentary republic and developed country with an advanced, high-income social market economy. It is a welfare state with a European social model, universal health care and free-tuition university education. It ranks 32nd in the Human Development Index. The Czech Republic is a member of the United Nations, NATO, the European Union, the OECD, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Visegrád Group. (Full article...)

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Sněžka – the highest peak of the Giant Mountains

The Giant Mountains, Krkonoše, or Karkonosze (Czech: [ˈkr̩konoʃɛ] ^ⓘ, Polish pronunciation: [karkɔˈnɔʂɛ] ^ⓘ, German: Riesengebirge pronounced [ˈʁiːzn̩ɡəˌbɪʁɡə] ^ⓘ), are a mountain range located in the north of the Czech Republic and the south-west of Poland, part of the Sudetes mountain system (part of the Bohemian Massif). The Czech-Polish border, which divides the historic regions of Bohemia and Silesia, runs along the main ridge. The highest peak, Sněžka (Polish: Śnieżka), is the Czech Republic's highest natural point with an elevation of 1,603 metres (5,259 ft).

On both sides of the border, large areas of the mountains are designated national parks (Krkonoše National Park in the Czech Republic and Karkonosze National Park in Poland), and these together comprise the Krkonoše/Karkonosze Transboundary Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. The source of the River Elbe is within the Giant Mountains. The range has a number of major ski resorts, and is a popular destination for tourists engaging in downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking, cycling and other activities. (Full article...)

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The Maiden by Gustav Klimt, 1913. Collection of the National Gallery Prague.

Source: Národní Galerie v Praze, PD

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In this month

1 May 2004 – The Czech Republic joins the European Union
9 May 1974 – The Prague Metro begins operation
14 May 1855 – The book The Grandmother by Božena Němcová is released
27 May 1942 – An assassination attempt (pictured) on acting Reichsprotektor Reinhardt Heydrich in Prague as part of Operation Anthropoid results in him dying on 4 June – the villages of Lidice and Ležáky are razed to the ground in response
29 May 1975 – Gustáv Husák becomes President of Czechoslovakia, remaining in office until 1989

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Nedvěd playing for the Czech Republic at the 2006 FIFA World Cup

Pavel Nedvěd (Czech pronunciation: [ˈpavɛl ˈnɛdvjɛt] ^ⓘ; born 30 August 1972) is a Czech former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is widely considered as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation and as one of the most successful players to emerge from the Czech Republic, winning domestic and European accolades with Italian clubs Lazio, including the last Cup Winners' Cup, and Juventus, whom he led to the 2003 UEFA Champions League final.

Nedvěd was a key member of the Czech team which reached the final of Euro 1996, during which he attracted international attention. He also captained the national team at UEFA Euro 2004, where they were defeated in the semi-final by eventual champions Greece, and Nedvěd was named as part of the Team of the Tournament. Furthermore, Nedvěd helped his team qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup for the first time since the breakup of Czechoslovakia. Due to his performances, as well as his quick and energetic runs during matches, Nedvěd was nicknamed "Furia Ceca" ("Czech Fury") by Italian fans and "The Czech cannon" in English-language media. His nickname in Czech is Méďa ("Little Bear"), stemming from the similarity between his surname and the Czech word for bear, Medvěd. (Full article...)

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John Amos Comenius Petr Čech Dominik Hašek Jaromír Jágr Gregor Mendel Tomáš Rosický Franz Kafka Bedřich Smetana Emanuel Moravec Gustav Mahler Fredy Hirsch Antonín Kinský Vlastimil Koubek Petra Kvitová Martin Miller (actor) Vratislav Lokvenc Vladimír Remek Leoš Janáček Libor Michálek Vojtěch Jarník Markéta Vondroušová Zdeňka Wiedermannová-Motyčková

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Did you know?

...that in 1990, Czech and Slovak politicians "fought" the Hyphen War, a political battle over whether "Czechoslovakia" should be spelled with a hyphen?
... that the Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic is the highest award presented by the Czech Minister of Defence?
... that Czech international footballer Patrik Gedeon went to play club football in Liechtenstein in the middle of his career?
... that a 1926 voyage to Java inspired Czech poet Konstantin Biebl for the remainder of his life?

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General images

The following are images from various Czech Republic-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1The National Theater from 1881 (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 2Frgál, a type of koláč baked in Moravian Wallachia (from Czech cuisine)
Image 3A panorama of Kłodzko, the capital city of Kłodzko Land, which is referred to as "Little Prague" (from Bohemia)
Image 4Obložené chlebíčky, a type of snack or appetizer (from Czech cuisine)
Image 5Writer Božena Němcová (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 6Bohemia (westernmost area) in Czechoslovakia 1918–1938 (from Bohemia)
Image 7Korozluky Castle (from Czech architecture)
Image 8The coat of arms of the Přemyslid dynasty (until 1253–1262) (from Bohemia)
Image 9Adria Palace (Prague) (from Czech architecture)
Image 10Bronze sword, Urnfield culture, c. 1200 BC (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 11Territory under the control of the Přemyslids, c. 1301 (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 12Monument to the village of Lidice murdered by the Nazis (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 13Beheading of 27 Bohemian nobles at the Old Town Square in Prague, 1621 (contemporary illustration) (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 14Russian occupation in 1968 (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 15House of the Black Madonna (from Czech architecture)
Image 16Baroque St. Nicholas Church in Malá Strana, built between 1704 and 1755 (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 17Detailed map of Bohemia, 1742 (from Bohemia)
Image 18Linguistic map of interwar Czechoslovakia (c. 1930) (from Bohemia)
Image 19Venus of Dolní Věstonice, the oldest ceramic article in the world (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 20Cubist architecture in Prague (from Czech architecture)
Image 21A "traditional Bohemian platter" at a restaurant in central Prague, consisting of roast duck, roast pork, beer sausage, smoked meat, red and white cabbage, bread, bacon and potato dumplings. (from Czech cuisine)
Image 22Copper engraving of the Second Defenestration of Prague from Theatrum Europaeum by Matthäus Merian. (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 23Řežabinec a Řežabinecké tůně National Nature Reserve (from Protected areas of the Czech Republic)
Image 24Svíčková na smetaně (Marinated tenderloin), served here with dumplings and cream (from Czech cuisine)
Image 25Church of Saint Agnes of Bohemia (Spořilov) (from Czech architecture)
Image 26The Kingdom of Bohemia in 1618 with other Bohemian Crown lands within the Holy Roman Empire (1618). (from Bohemia)
Image 27Cubist lamp by Emil Králíček, Jungmannovo náměstí, next to the Gothic Church of Our Lady of the Snows (Prague) (from Czech architecture)
Image 28Nakládaný hermelín (marinated cheese) (from Czech cuisine)
Image 29Library of Clementinum, a former Jesuit College, built in 1722 (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 30Svíčková na smetaně served with dumplings, whipped cream and cranberries (from Czech cuisine)
Image 31Entrance to Moravian Karst PLA (from Protected areas of the Czech Republic)
Image 32Dacian Influence over Bohemia (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 33Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, philosopher, Czechoslovak president in the years 1918-1935 (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 34Monument to Master Jan Hus, a religious reformer and philosopher in Prague (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 35The coat of arms of the Kingdom of Bohemia (from Bohemia)
Image 36Prague-style beef goulash (from Czech cuisine)
Image 37Bohemia as the heart of Europa regina; Sebastian Münster, Basel, 1570 (from Bohemia)
Image 38Map of protected areas of the Czech Republic: national parks (grey) and protected landscape areas (green) (from Protected areas of the Czech Republic)
Image 39Hroby Nature Monument in Radenín (from Protected areas of the Czech Republic)
Image 40Emperor and King Charles IV. Luxembourg (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 41The radical Hussites became known as Taborites, after the town of Tábor that became their center (from Bohemia)
Image 42Lands of the Bohemian Crown (until 1635), map by Josef Pekař, 1921 (from Bohemia)
Image 43Václav Havel, playwright, dissident and president from 1989 to 2003 (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 44Czech kings Ottokar II, Wenceslas II and Wenceslas III from the Přemyslid dynasty (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 45Grand Café Orient in Prague (from Czech architecture)
Image 46Europe after the Congress of Vienna in 1815 (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 47Pilsner Urquell in a branded mug (from Czech cuisine)
Image 48The First Czechoslovak Republic (1918-1938) (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 49Territories ruled by Ottokar II of Bohemia in 1273 (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 50A panorama of Zittau (from Bohemia)
Image 51Christmas cookies (vánoční cukroví) (from Czech cuisine)
Image 52Emperor Francis Joseph I. (reigned 1848–1916) (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 53King George of Podebrady, one of the first promoters of united Europe (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 54Fried bramboráky (potato pancakes) (from Czech cuisine)
Image 55Bohemian city Karlovy Vary (from Bohemia)
Image 56Zelňačka (from Czech cuisine)
Image 57Iconic brutalist Transgas building, demolished in 2019 (from Czech architecture)
Image 58The extent of the Protestant Reformation (1545–1620) (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 59Rotunda of St. George from the beginning of the 12th century on Mount Říp (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 60St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle, John of Luxembourg laid the foundation stone in 1344 (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 61Fried cheese, served with tartar sauce and side salad (from Czech cuisine)
Image 62Stone sculpture of a Celtic man, found in Mšecké Žehrovice (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 63Great Moravia during the reign of Svatopluk I (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 64Semi-detached villa in Brno by Otto Eisler, according to MoMA's Henry-Russell Hitchcock and Philip Johnson, is a defining building of the International style. (from Czech architecture)
Image 65An 1892 map showing Bohemia proper outlined in pink, Moravia in yellow, and Austrian Silesia in orange (from Bohemia)
Image 66Saint Wenceslas, Czech prince (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 67Apple strudel with raisins (from Czech cuisine)
Image 68Vladislaus Hall at the Prague Castle, built from 1490 to 1502 by Benedikt Rejt (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 69Kačina Castle in Chotkov (from Czech architecture)
Image 70John Amos Comenius (1592-1670), Czech philosopher and school reformer (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 71Empress Maria Theresa (reignet 1740–1780) (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 72Buděticko Nature Park with Rabí Castle (from Protected areas of the Czech Republic)
Image 73Duchy of Bohemia, around 1029 (from History of the Czech lands)
Image 74Vepřo-knedlo-zelo (Roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut) (from Czech cuisine)

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Topics

Czech lands: Bohemia • Moravia • Czech Silesia

History: Únětice culture • Boii • Marcomanni • Samo • Great Moravia • Přemyslid dynasty • Lands of the Bohemian Crown • Czech lands (1526–1648) • 1648–1867 • 1867–1918) • Czechoslovakia • Czech Republic

Geography: Lakes • Protected areas • Regions • Rivers

Law: Judiciary • Law enforcement • Supreme Court of the Czech Republic

Politics: Administrative divisions • Government • Constitution • Elections • Foreign relations • Army • Parliament • Political parties • President • Prime Minister

Economy: Banks • Czech koruna • Energy • Oil and gas deposits • Stock Exchange • Tourism • Transport

Culture: Architecture • Art • Cinema • Cuisine • Demographics • Education • Language • Literature • Media • Music • Philosophy • Prostitution • Public holidays • Religion • Sport • Television • Video games

Symbols: Flag • Coat of arms • National anthem (Kde domov můj)

Lists: Outline of the Czech Republic • List of Czech Republic–related topics

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WikiProjects

WikiProject Czech Republic

WikiProject Europe

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Featured and good content

	Featured articles		Dominik Hašek • Earth-grazing meteoroid of 13 October 1990 • Franz Kafka • Gustav Mahler • Bedřich Smetana • The Bartered Bride
	Good articles		Patrik Berger • FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2009 • Reinhard Heydrich • Leoš Janáček • Vlastimil Koubek • Libor Michálek • Pavel Nedvěd • Panzer 35(t) • Polish minority in the Czech Republic • Prague Spring • Punch-up in Piestany • Randy Blythe manslaughter case • The Brothers Grimm (film) • Winton Train • Zaolzie