COUNTRY FACT FILE

The Czech Republic is a small country situated in Central Europe. It borders on the Federal Republic of Germany in the west, Poland in the north, the Slovak Republic in the east, and Austria in the south. The Czech Republic consists of three historical countries: Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia.

Area: 78,864 km2.

Population: 10,300,000.

Capital city: Prague (1.2 million inhabitants).

Official language: Czech.

Currency: Czech crown (koruna = Kc), 1 Kc=100 halers (haler), at present there are coins in circulation with values of 50 halers and 1, 2, 5,10, 20 and 50 crowns, and bank notes with values of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 crowns.

Time zone: GMT + 1, Central European time; from April until October so-called summer time applies, GMT + 2.

Climate: temperate climate with change of four seasons, mix of oceanic and continental climatic influences, with maritime influence prevailing. Winters are mild and summers warm. The average daily temperature in the coldest winter month, January, is around -5 degrees Celsius, and in the warmest summer month, July, is around 20 degrees Celsius.

POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS

The Czech Republic was formed on 1st January 1993 through division of the Czechoslovak Republic into 2 republics. The capital is Prague, often called Golden Prague, it is the residence of the President, who is the head of the republic, the Parliament and the Government, important offices, universities and man cultural institutions, and the leading figure in political life is the Prime Minister. The face of this country is changing. Our republic is undergoing administrative alterations in the field of regional transformation. While in this transitional period state administrative carried out by districts.

NATIONAL ECONOMY

The Czech Republic is an advanced industrial and agricultural country, which produces some traditional products with good reputation abroad. In The period between two World Wars our country was one of the most developed countries in the world. Now it is necessary to transform completely the economic and social life because under socialism Czech economy got retarded in comparison with highly advanced countries. The old-established Czech industries are those, which developed during the last centuries: textile industry, food industry (brewing), and glass industry, in the 20th century the engineering industry prevailed in our industrial structure. Every fourth product of our engineering industry was earmarked for export (including complete factory equipment). Traditional export items were: textile machinery, machinery for the footwear and leather-processing industries, motorcycles, cars, Diesel power units, wheel tractors. Other traditional export items were: consumer goods, glassware, china, textiles, footwear, costume jewellery, sugar, hops, and beer. The country has natural resources (coal, some rare metals, raw materials for glass and ceramic industries, cold and hot mineral springs), but it has tom import some raw materials (oil, gas, iron ore...).

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

For travel to the Czech Republic, citizens of Arabic countries require a valid passport and visa, which they can request at representative offices of the Czech Republic. For some other countries further documents must be submitted for receipt of a visa, such as an official invitation to visit the Czech Republic, submission of a return ticket, confirmation of spa treatment, etc. Further information is available from the representative office of the Czech Republic in the given country, and in some cases from representatives of CSA, the Czech Airline. Citizens of countries who are not required to submit any further documents to receive a visa can also receive the visa at the following border crossings: PrahaRuzyne airport. Znojmo-Haté, Dolni Dvoriste, and Rozvadov. Children younger than fifteen years of age must be included in the passports of their parents or may have their own passport.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE REQUIREMENTS

The import and export of foreign currency, foreign bills of payment, foreign securities and deposit books in non-Czech currency are in no way restricted. The import and export of current Czech bank notes and coins, bills of payment and securities in Czech currency is permitted only to the value of 200,000 Kc without the approval of the Czech National Bank. The import and export of gold and gold coins must be officially declared. Further information can be obtained from customs offices responsible for such matters.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

The import of non-commercial goods with a total customs value of not more than 3,000 Kc per traveler is free of import duties. Export of tobacco products (maximum of 200 cigarettes), alcoholic drinks, and perfume is limited. Medicines can be imported only in types and quantities keeping with the personal need of the traveler.Any kind of non-commercial good can be exported from the Czech Republic without limitation of their value. For Export of antiques and cultural objects, certification is necessary that attests that the object is not an object of national value. Further information regarding conditions governing the export of cultural objects is available from customs officers or in some cases sales organizations.

BY AIR

The Czech Republic has direct air connections with many countries of the world. The most important airport is at the capital city Prague. The Prague airport is located in Ruzyne, a suburb located approximately 20 km to the northwest of the center of the city. To reach the city it is possible to go by taxi, public buses in combination with metro, or two routes to commuter transportation. Other Czech civilian airports are in Ostrava, Brno, Karlovy Vary, and Pardubice.

RAIL AND BUS TRANSPORTION

Euro city trains connect Prague with Vienna, Paris, Berlin, Munich, Warsaw, and Budapest. Prague is the destination of bus lines running from London, Paris, Italy, the Federal Republic of Germany, and other countries.

TRANSPORTION WITHIN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

There are regular domestic flights to various destinations in the country. Small planes can also be rented from specialized firms for travel and sightseeing.
People interested in traveling by bus or rail can take advantage of the dense network of train and bus connections. In the Czech Republic there are also a number of firms that rent out cars. It is possible to rent luxury and ordinary types of automobiles as well as cars with chauffeur. Traffic rules in the Czech Republic are almost identical to those in other European countries. The highest permitted speed for passenger cars is 90 km/hour on country roads and 130 km/hour on highways.

A fee is charged for using highways. A sticker applied to the windshield of the car shows payment of the fee. The fee for one passenger car, valid for one year, is 900 Kc, one month 250 Kc, 10 days 150 Kc. Urban transportation in Czech and Moravian towns consists of trains, buses, and trolleybuses. In Prague there are three metro lines. Tickets for urban transportation can be purchased from ticket machines as well as newspaper and tobacco stands. Tickets must be stamped upon first entering the metro station and at special stamping machines located in trains and buses. Taxi service exists in all larger cities. Fares are calculated according to a set base rate and a charge per kilometer driven. Information regarding fares must be displayed in the interior of the vehicle. Taxis can be ordered by telephone and 24 hours in advance. Boat transportation is also available especially in the summer months in areas that are heavily tourist and have appropriate water conditions, primarily certain sections of the Moldau (Vltava), the Elbe (Labe), and on the large reservoirs and lakes.

ACCOMODATION

Depending on financial means and kind of accommodation desired, the visitor can choose from one- to five-star hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, as well as private flats.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Czech cuisine is very tasty and can be experienced in first-class restaurants and wine bars as well as in local pubs and restaurants. International cuisine is common. Goose, roasted venison and rabbit, and fruit dumplings, for example, are among the most popular specialties. In Prague there are also restaurants serving Arabic cuisine. A wide assortment of drinks is available in shops and restaurants. There are many cafes, which are often situated in period rooms of historical buildings.

TELEPHONING

Domestic and international calls can be made from all post offices and hotels as well as from public telephones with a telephone card. Telephone cards can be purchased from Telecom sales locations as well as from newspaper and tobacco stands. You can also use signal from three mobil operators.

SHOPPING

The assortment of goods offered in Czech stores is on a par with those available in other European countries. In addition to normal things, visitors can purchase a whole range of exceptional quality products with centuries-old traditions, especially cut glass, Czech garnets, jewelry, porcelain, ceramics, lace and other arts and crafts.Art lovers can make interesting purchases in Czech galleries and in antique shops. Czech shops have different opening hours. On workdays the majority are open from 9:00 am. To 6:00 p.m., and on Saturdays until 1:00 p.m. Grocery stores are usually open from 7:00 am. A growing number of shops are also open on Sundays. Opening hours for banks and exchange offices correspond to those for shops. In Prague there are some exchange offices that are open non-stop. A number of shops, restaurants, and accommodations accept international credit cards such as Access, American Express, Carte Blanche, Diner's Club, Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa, and Japan Credit Bureau.

ELECTRICAL CURRENT

The electrical current is mostly 220 V. Electric shavers and hair dryer corresponding to the Euro norm can be used without problems in the majority of Czech hotels.

MEDICAL CARE

Medical facilities are usually open from 7:15 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays. Emergency medical service outside o normal clinic hours exists in all larger towns and can be called by telephone Pharmacies are usually open the same hours as normal shops, and there are also pharmacies with night and weekend service. Visitors to the Czech Republic are recommended to have them insured in case of illness or accident, since medical service is provided against compensation.

NIGHTLIFE

A number of Czech towns, especially Prague, offer visitors a rich evening program. In addition to concerts of classical and jazz music and theatre performances, you can visit cinemas, cabarets, nightclubs, dance bars, or discos. There are casinos in Prague, Brno, Karlovy Vary, Ceské Budejovice, and in other larger and spa centers.

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

are generally open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. year round. The day closed is usually Monday.

HISTORICAL SITIES

During the main season from May 1 to September 30 are open daily except
Mondays and days following holidays, normally from 9:00 am. to 5:00 p.m..
Midday breaks are generally between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.
In April and October, castles and chateaux are open only on Saturdays and
Sundays. In the winter the majority of them are closed.