Czech Republic, Prague

Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, is presently undergoing a period of great changes after having once again become a free metropolis of Central Europe. Nicknamed as the "city of a hundred spires" and "the golden city", it is the largest city in the nation. As such, it is the seat of the country's legislative, administrative, business, cultural, and educational institutions.

Prague, like Rome, was constructed upon five hills and is shrouded in the mystery of a glorious, tragic past. Since medieval times it has been known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

History

Prague history is one of the richest and the most eventful in the entire gamut of European cities.

The palaeolithic age was the first period in Prague history, of which signs of inhabitation are found in the city. Thereafter a number of Bohemian, Celtic and Germanic tribes made Prague their home. History in Prague takes a more recorded a formal turn with the coming of the Czechs in the 9th century.

By the 14th century, Prague had already become a metropolis, surpassing many other Central European cities in grandeur.

The middle ages saw the coming and dissemination of Christianity in Prague, under the rule of the Premyslid dynasty. King Wenceslas was the most illustrious king of this period.

The 17th century is considered the Golden Age of Jewish Prague. The city was destroyed in a great fire in 1689. However it reincarnated by rebuilding the city. Prague was a European capital with a very developed industrial base during the end of World War I and it was chosen as the capital with the creation of Czechoslovakia after the defeat of Austria-Hungary in the war.

In 1918, with the end of World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed and the independent state of Czechoslovakia was created, comprised of the historical Czech lands of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia, as well as Slovakia and Ruthenia. Prague was named its capital city and Prague Castle the seat of its first president.

Prague is one of the most visited cities in Europe and since the 1990s has grown to become one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Since 1992, the historic center of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Presently, major renovations and renewal projects are preparing the city for the 21st century. Due to its beauty and vitality, Prague has become a magnet for millions of tourists from all over the world, a new home for many, and a prosperous center of enterprise.

Geography & Demographics

Prague is located on the River Vltava in the centre of the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. The city is situated on the Vltava River in central Bohemia; Prague is located at 50°05' Latitude North and 14°26' Longitude East. The city covers a total area of 496 sq. km. The city is divided into 15 districts which are called Praha. Praha 1 is the historic centre of the centre and has the most attractions. The city is more commonly divided into five different areas called the Castle District, the Lesser Town, the Old Town, the New Town and the Jewish Quarter.

The city of Prague has a population of approximately 1.3 million, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population exceeding 1.9 million. There has been a marked increase in the population of Prague.

Economy

The city of Prague has a well-diversified, highly industrial economy. Main products are metals and machinery, aircraft engines, automobiles (Volkswagen AG), diesel engines, machine tools, refined oil products, electronics, beer, chemicals, and food.

Prague trade is supported by imports and export activities. The major export commodities include chemicals, machinery and transport equipment and raw materials and fuel. The main export partners of Prague are Germany, Poland, Austria, Italy, Slovakia, France and UK.

Culture

The culture of Prague is carefully preserved in the cities numerous galleries, theaters and museums. In addition to the National Museum, there is an ethnographic museum and a museum of Czechoslovak literature. The characteristic of Prague culture is its ability to soak up regional cultural trends. This ability combined with the high literacy rate has catalyzed the growth of a vibrant culture that is the toast of all Europe.

Prague is also the hub of Czech gay and lesbian life, the center of the country's glbtq political rights movement, and a significant gay tourist destination.

Sports

Prague is the site of many sport events, national stadiums and teams. There are numerous sports events that are celebrated and hosted in the city of Prague annually. Apart from these, there are also various sporting events that take place in some part of the year, but are not regular affairs in the city.

The International Marathon is one of the most awaited sports events of Prague, which is held annually. Football is also widely played in the country and there are various events that take place all throughout the year in the city.

Transportation

Prague has a very inexpensive and efficient transport system in Europe. The metro, trams and buses are used by two-thirds of Prague's population and cover the majority of the city and outskirts.

The Czech Republic has one of the most superior railway networks in Europe. The international railway station in Prague is Hlavni Nadrai. It is the city’s main station, centrally located very close to Wenceslas Square.

Prague’s International Ruzyne Airport. It is located 12 miles northwest of the city and serves over 10 million passengers per year. The airport has four terminals offering excellent facilities which include: information desks, ATMs, bureaux de change, post offices, eateries, bars and duty-free shops.

Prague has an excellent public transport system covering all parts.