Prague and the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a state in Central Europe. We can say it lies in the heart of Europe. It is an inland country and it neighbours to four states: in the north to Poland, in the south to Austria, to Slovakia in the east and to Germany in the west. The country consists of three main regions: Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. The country is divided into 14 localities (krajů).
The Czech Republic has about 10,3 million inhabitants.
Our state has a varied landscape. Bohemia is surrounded by the Šumava Mountains, the Czech Forest, the Ore Mountains, the Jizerské Mountains, the Giant Mountains and the Eagle Mountains (Orlické hory). On the West of Moravia there is the Bohemian-Moravian Highland and on the North there are the Jeseníky and Beskydy. The highest mountain lies in the Giant Mountains and its name is Sněžka. It is 1602 m high. I have never been there yet.
Fertile [fƏ:tail] (úrodné) lowlands can be found in the valleys of big rivers – the Vltava, the Elbe (flowing into the North Sea), the Oder (Baltic Sea) and the Morava (flowing into the Danube and thence (odtud) into the Black Sea).
The main industrial items are coal, iron ore, kaolin, engineering industry, chemical industry, food industry, textile industry, metallurgy and other sorts of industry. Also the agriculture is developed.
History of the Czech Republic is very wide. The first state was Sámo´s Empire. Later the Great Moravian Empire was formed. And then the Czech Kingdom became the centre of the Holy Roman Empire mainly during the reign of Charles IV and his son Wenceslas IV.
The first part of the 15th century is marked by the Hussite Movement. It is named after John Huss [džon has], professor and later rector of Charles University. In 1415 he was burnt at the stake as a heretic.
Prague
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, the seat of the President, government and parliament and the political, cultural and economic centre of the country.
It lies on both banks of the Vltava River in the centre of Bohemia. Prague has 1,2 million inhabitants. The whole city consists of 10 districts. The oldest parts are the Old Town, The Lesser Town, the New Town, Hradčany and Vyšehrad.
A legend connects the foundation of Prague with Princess Libuše (of the Přemyslid dynasty) who said that this city “would touch the stars”.
During the reign of Charles IV Prague grew into one of the largest European metropolises and was a significant centre of education. In 1348 Charles University – the oldest one in Europe – was founded here. Charles IV also promoted the construction of Charles Bridge and St. Vitus Cathedral. In 15th century Prague was the centre of the Hussite movement.
At the end of the 18th century it became the centre of Czech cultural life when Czech scholars and writers began the process of national revival.
On 17th November 1989 the Velvet Revolution began democratic changes in our society. Czechoslovakia divided into two independent states and on 1st January 1993 Prague became the capital of the Czech Republic.
Without any doubt the Prague Castle, the seat of the President, is the dominant of the city. In the Vladislav Hall the election of the President takes place.
The most impressive (nejpůsobivější) building at the Castle is St. Vitus Cathedral. The Gothic cathedral was founded by Charles IV. Golden Lane, made up of tiny houses with coloured facades, is also very beautiful.
In the neighbourhood of the Castle on Petřín Hill the Petřín Observatory Tower can be found. It was built as a free copy of the Eiffel Tower.
From the Lesser Town Square we can easily get to Charles Bridge over the river Vltava. This oldest of the many Prague bridges has become a favourite place for walks. It is decorated with 30 statues.
Along Charles Street we can get to the Old Town Square. The best known building in the square is the Old Town Hall. Tourists come to see a horologe with the statues of the Apostles on the tower. The centre of the Square is beautified by the John Huss Monument. Not far from the Square is the Bethlehem Chapel, the most important centre of the Reformation movement where John Huss preached.
The Powder Tower forms a monumental entrance to the Old Town.
The Na Příkopě Street takes us to the Wenceslas Square, the heart of the New Town and present-day Prague. It is a long boulevard lined with banks, department stores, boutiques, shops, hotels, restaurants, cafés, theatres and cinemas. In the upper end of the square there is the National Museum and the St. Wenceslas Memorial, a favourite meeting place of tourists.
In Prague there are many other historical monuments, for example The National Theatre, Vyšehrad, the Jewish Town or Charles University.
Prague is not only a historical city. It is an important road, rail, air and river transport junction [džankšn]. Prague also has a dense network of local transport which includes trams, buses and the underground, called the metro.
There are many industries in Prague too.
Anyway Prague is a very beautiful city and it´s worth visiting without any doubt.