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Czech Republic: Country overview

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Full country name: Czech Republic
Population: just over 10,000,000
Border countries: the Czech Republic is a land locked country at the heart of Central Europe, surrounded by Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria.
Climate: overall the country’s climate is continental, with mild summer and cold winters.
Terrain: the Czech Republic has some low mountains in Bohemia to the west, and hilly terrain in Moravia to the east, with lowland areas in the centre and south of the country.
Natural hazards: the most significant natural hazard is flooding - in 2002 the floods in Prague were devastating, and it took several years for some of city’s historic areas to recover.

Cost of living: in 2007 Prague was the 49th most expensive city in the world, and in 2008 it jumped to 29th. This ranking is higher than many major American cities, but considerably lower than many European capitals (e.g. London is ranked third). Wages are low, as in most post-communist countries, but so is the cost of rent and food, while luxury goods can be disproportionately expensive.
Utilities: the Czech Republic is moving towards the privatised supply of utilities and away from dependence on solid fuel. If you live in rented accommodation, your utility supplies will probably be included in your rent. If not, the process for arranging contracts can be complicated.
Internet domain: .cz
Health: the quality of healthcare in the Czech Republic is good, and improving. It is available to anyone with healthcare insurance, and the price of services is considered below the average for Europe.
Laws and customs: current Czech law does not recognise a distinction between hard and soft drugs and possession of any illegal substance could result in a five year jail sentence. However, the drugs law is being reviewed and marijuana possession may soon be exempted.

Currency: Czech koruna (CZK). Plans to adopt the Euro have been postponed until 2019.
Type of economy: market economy
Health of economy: whilst economic restructuring is not complete, the Czech Republic has one of the most stable and prosperous economies following the end of communism in East Europe. The country’s accession to the EU in 2004 has meant that the majority of its trade is through the Union.
Unemployment rate: low - currently (mid-2008) at 6.6%.
Main exports: heavy industry products: motor vehicles, machinery, iron, steel, and chemicals.

People: over 90% of the population are Czech nationals, with small minorities of Slovaks, Poles, Roma and other immigrants.
Religion: the Czech Republic is one of the least religious countries in Europe. Fifty-nine percent of the population are agnostic or atheist, 26.8% are Roman Catholics and 2.5% Protestants.
History: the Czech Republic was established in 1993, when Czechoslovakia was divided into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The recent past has been quite stable, but Czechoslovakia had a very interesting and turbulent history between its recognition in 1919 and split in 1993. See the BBC Timeline: Czech Republic for more details.
Local etiquette: Czech conventions of behaviour are broadly similar to those in other parts of Western/Central Europe. The Czechs are often regarded as being somewhat serious.

Type of government: parliamentary democracy, with two chambers of government - the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, with a President and a Prime Minister, the latter being the head of government.
Major political parties: Civic Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, the Communist Party (which still receives a fair proportion of the votes - 12.8% in the last election), Christian Democratic Union, and Green Party.

Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.

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	Written by higher education careers professionals	Date: Autumn 2008
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