Czech Republic
European Union
The Czech Republic joined the European Union in 2004, and it is not a founding country of the EU.
History
The Czech Republic was once part of Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovakia no longer exists, and split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia on January 1, 1993. The Czech Republic is located in central Europe, and is surrounded by Austria, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia. It is a little smaller than South Carolina. There is a river in the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic, called the Labe (Elbe) River.
Flag
The Czech Republic's flag was adopted in 1920, and is the exact same flag as the flag of the used to be country, Czechoslovakia. The red on the flag is Moravia's color, and symbolizes the blood given for freedom. The white is Bohemia's color, and represents the sky. There is also blue on the flag, that represents political independence and is Slovakia's traditional color.
Cities
Prague
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic.
Ostrava
Brno
Tourism
Many international filmmakers like to film in Prague. Also there are six gardens that are located at the Prague castle that are a popular place for visitors. Another popular place to visit are all the castles throughout the country.
Geography
Ninety-five percent of the Czech Republic is covered in hills and mountains. Also, there are nine-hundred natural springs located throughout the country.
Government
The Czech Republic has a parliamentary democracy form of government. This means the parliament chooses the government.
Currency
The Czechs' currency is called koruna česká. One U.S. dollar equals 22.47 koruna česká.
Facts
- The Czech Republic is split into regions, that are called Bohemia and Moravia.
- The city Prague has existed for more than 1,000 years!
- On Christmas Eve, the Czechs eat carp (freshwater fish).
- The Czech Republic has about 21,800 man-made lakes, that are mostly used for farming fish.
- In the Czech Republic, it is not rude to stare at people.
Citations
Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ez.html>.
"Subscriber Area Only." CultureGrams Online Database:. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014. <http://online.culturegrams.com/kids/kids_country.php?contid=5&wmn=Europe&cid=100&cn=Czech_Republic>.
"About CZ." About CZ. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014. <http://www.czech.cz/en/About-CZ>.
"Czech Koruna (CZK) and United States Dollar (USD) Currency Exchange Rate Conversion Calculator." Convert Czech Koruny (CZK) and United States Dollars (USD): Currency Exchange Rate Conversion Calculator. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014. <http://coinmill.com/CZK_USD.html#USD=1>.
"General Information - Czech Republic." European Commission. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014. <http://ec.europa.eu/civiljustice/homepage/homepage_cze_en.htm>.