GEOGRAPHY
The Czech Republic is an inland state lying in Central Europe and neighboring Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria. Its area is 78 560 km2, the population is 10.5 million. It is situated on the territory of three historical areas – Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, the highest point is Sněžka
– 1602 m.
The capital city is Prague with 1 280 500 inhabitants.
From the geomorphological point of view, the Czech Republic lies on the intersection of two mountain systems. West and the central part is filled with the Czech Highlands, (Šumava, Krušné hory, Krkonoše, Jeseníky and others). The Western Carpathians (Javorníky, Moravskoslezské Beskydy, etc.) hit the eastern part of the country. Of the total area of the Czech Republic lies 67% at an altitude of up to 500 m.
The main European divide passes through the Czech territory, separating it into the North Sea, Baltic and Black Sea areas.
The Czech Republic is divided into 14 self-governing regions and more than 6200 self-governing municipalities. Municipalities and regions are managed by elected councils. The heads of the regions are governors, heads of statutory cities mayors and heads of other towns and municipalities mayors as well.
STATE AND TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION
The Czech Republic has six national symbols: a large national emblem, a small national emblem, a national flag, a flag of the President of the Republic, a state seal and a national anthem Where My Home is. The official language is Czech.
A national anthem „Where My Home Is“.
In the past Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk was the first president after the birth of Czechoslovakia. In modern history it was, for example, Václav Havel and is currently Milos Zeman.
Václav Havel
The President of the Czech republic Miloš Zeman
TIME AND CLIMATE ZONES
Climate is moderate in the Czech Republic, intermediate between the continental and oceanic types. Typical is the alternation of the four seasons, with a significant influence on the climate’s altitude and relief.
The Czech Republic is in the time zone along with other major cities of Berlin, Vienna – +1 hour. At the time of so called summer time (31.3. – 31.10.), it is 2 hours.
Resources:
1/ MARADA, Miroslav, Martin HANUS a Tereza KOCOVÁ. Zeměpis 9: pro základní školy a víceletá gymnázia. Plzeň: Fraus, 2017.
2/ NOVÁK, Svatopluk, Vladimír ŠTEFL, Josef TRNA a Martin WEINHÖFER. Zeměpis: učebnice. 5. aktualizované vydání. Ilustroval Hana BERKOVÁ. Brno: Nová škola, 2017. Duhová řada.