The Czech Republic is part of what was formerly Czechoslovakia, a nation that was created as an independent country in 1918 after World War I. It suffered spiritual, economic and ecological decay throughout the Nazi and Communist years. A rich cultural heritage and architectural splendor remain from the past. The country is a virtual museum of cultural landmarks with castles and palaces dotting the landscape. Across the countryside, there are still vast areas of natural beauty with dense forests, unusual rock formations, lakes and mountains. In addition, Prague is one of the prettiest cities in the world.

The Czech Republic is situated approximately in the geographical center of Europe and has an area of 78,866 sq. km. It is a landlocked country 326 km from the Baltic and 322 km from the Adriatic see. It shares borders with Germany (810 km), Poland (762 km), Austria (466 km) and Slovakia (265 km). The highest point of elevation is the peak of Mt. Snežka (1,602 m above sea level) and the lowest point of elevation is near Holensko where the River Labe leaves Czech territory (117 m above sea level).

The Czech Republic is divided into Bohemia (Cechy) and Moravia (Morava). The language and culture are similar, although some parts of Moravia are known for their specific accent. The Moravian culture is generally more friendly and laid back than that of the people in Bohemia. The capital of Bohemia is Prague (Praha) and the capital of Moravia is Brno, although it has no special administrative status.

Administratively, The Czech Republic is divided into regions (kraj) which in turn consist of counties (okres), each with an administrative center. The structure and powers of local government as well as the geographic layout of regions and counties is a topic of much political debate.

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Source: www.bohemica.com, written by Dominik Lukeš.