Czech General Information Czech Republic |
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Central Europe. Area 78,866 sq km (30,450 sq miles). Population 10.2 million (2006 estimate). Population Density 129.3 per sq km. Capital Prague. Population: 1.25 million. Government Republic since 1993. Head of State: President Václav Klaus since 2003. Head of Government: Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek since 2006. Recent history: The conservative Civic Democrats, led by Mirek Topolanek, won the most votes in the 2006 general elections, but with no overall majority, tricky coalition negotiations had to take place before a government could be formed. Combining their votes with those of their Communist allies, the Civic Democrats make up exactly half the seats in parliament. Topolanek will need to gain support from the opposition Social Democrats in order to govern. The Czech Republic is a landlocked country situated in central Europe, sharing frontiers with Germany in the west, Poland in the north, the Slovak Republic in the east and Austria in the south. Only about one-quarter of the size of the British Isles, the republic is hilly and picturesque, with vast plains and mountains in the west (Bohemia). Language The official language is Czech. English and German are also spoken. Religion Mostly Roman Catholic and some Protestant, including churches such as the Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, Unity of Czech Brothers and Baptist. There is a small community of Jews, mainly in Prague. According to the March 2001 national census, 60% of the population profess no religious beliefs. Time GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October). Social Conventions Dress should be casual, but conservative, except at formal dinners and at quality hotels or restaurants. Electricity Generally 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Most major hotels have standard international two-pin razor plugs.
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