last edited Dec 11, 2019
Introduction to the Czech Republic
Location Map of Czech Republic
Czech Republic
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Quick Overview
In the heart of Europe, less than 1,000 km from France, the Czech Republic—which, until 1993, formed Czechoslovakia with neighboring Slovakia—consists of two main regions: Bohemia and Moravia. The former, in the west, is a large agricultural plateau surrounded by mountains (under 1,602 m in the Giant Mountains at the Polish border) and is home to the capital, Prague. Moravia, in the east, is a region of plains and basins.
Key Facts
- Type of place: country.
- Latitude/longitude: 49.45' N, 15.30' E.
- Local time:
- Capital: Prague
- Nature of the state: Parliamentary republic.
- Official language: Czech.
- Currency: Czech koruna.
- Population: 10,686,269 inhabitants (2018).
- Area: 78,870 km².
- Density: 135 inhabitants/km².
- Highest point: Sněžka Mountain (1,602 m).
- Lowest point: Elbe River (115 m).
- Coastline: 0 km.
- Driving: on the right.
Tourism
With over 10 million visitors per year (10.160 in 2017), the Czech Republic ranks well within the average for European tourist destinations. The majority of visitors come from neighboring Germany (around 20% of arrivals), Slovakia, and Poland, followed by travelers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia. In 2016, 281,000 French visitors also traveled there.
The only downside to these fairly positive figures is that tourism is primarily focused on Prague. The city ranks among the top 5 most visited cities in Europe and accounts for more than half of all overnight stays by vacationers. In short, tourism in the Czech Republic is somewhat unbalanced: on one side, the capital is highly frequented, especially for "city breaks" (including very festive ones among young travelers), while the rest of the country attracts far fewer visitors—making it quieter and more affordable.
Travel Essentials
- Destination: for beginner travelers.
- By air: France-Prague for 100/250 € round trip.
- Entry requirements: ID card or passport.
- Currency to bring: euros.
- Exchange rate:
- Daily "backpacker" budget: 45 to 65 € per person.
- Accommodation: homestays, camping (if traveling by car), or small guesthouses.
- Getting around: car or a combination of bus and train.
- Risks: none in terms of health and very low in terms of security.
- Best time for climate/crowds/prices: from May to September (avoid holidays and weekends for Prague).
- Interests (out of ): Nature ; Adventure ; Culture ; Relaxation/Holidays .
Addresses in France
- Tourist Office: closed to the public, online only.
- Czech Cultural Center: 18 rue Bonaparte, Paris 75006. Tel.: 01 53 73 00 22.
Addresses in Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec
Socio-Economic Statistics
- "Quality of life": 28/188 (rank in 2018)
- GDP per capita: $35,500 (2017)
- Average monthly income: $1,510 (2012)
- Inflation: +2.4% (2017)
- "Official" unemployment: 2.9% (2017)
- Population below the poverty line: 9.7% (2015)
- Life expectancy: 78.9 years (2018)
- Migration rate per 1,000 inhabitants: +2.3 (2017)
- Population growth: +0.1% (2018)
- Literacy rate: 99% (2014)
- Urban population: 73.8% (2018)
- Press freedom: 34/180 (rank in 2018)
- Political regime: flawed democracy (34/167 in 2018)
Sources: World Bank, Human Development Indicators, RSF, The Economist, The World Factbook