Name: Czech Republic; area: 79 000 sq. km; population: 10 303 700; capital: Praha (Prague); population: 1 202 600 inhabitants; other cities: Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, České Budějovice, Olomouc; currency: Czech crown (Kč); banknotes: 5000,- 2000,- 1000,- 500,- 200,- 100,- 50,- 20,-; coins: 20,- 10,- 5,- 2,- 1,- 0,50 0,20 0,10; language: Czech (one of the Slav languages); business languages: English, German; Head of State: Václav Klaus, inaugurated in March 7, 2003; time: GMT +1 (Summer time GMT +2, April - October).

The character of the landscape is very diverse. Fertile lowlands alternate with undulating hilly country and mountains, fresh meadows and cornfields with large woods, lakes and ponds and a network of water streams. Natural features include stalactite caves, romantic rock formations and other interesting features. The most valuable country areas, unique places and natural phenomena are protected as regional areas and natural reserves.

The Czech Republic (Covers up Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia) is situated in the centre of Europe, between 48 and 51 degrees of East Longitude. It shares borders with Germany, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Austria. The prevailing continental climate is characteristic by mild winters and warm summers. The mean annual temperature is 10°C in summer, in winter -5°C.

January 1 - New Year's Day
May 1 - Labour Day
May 8 - Day of Liberation from Fascism
July 5 - Day of Slav Apostles Constantin and Methodius
July 6 - Day of Jan Huss' death at the stake
October 28 - Day of origin of independent Czechoslovakia
December 24 - Christmas Eve
December - 25-26 Christmas
Movable - Easter Monday.

Museums, galleries, castles:
Monday closed
Tuesday - Sunday - 10.00 a.m. -05.00 p.m.
Most castles are closed during state holidays and from November till March.

The Czech Republic has direct dialling telephone lines with all European and most overseas countries. The dialling code for the Czech Republic from abroad is ++420, Prague ++420-2.

Post offices are usually open form Monday till Friday from 08.00 to 18.00 and on Saturday from 08.00 till 12.00. The Main Post Office at 14, Jindřišská, Prague 1, provides 24-hour services throughout the week.

Prague - Ruzyně.