Czech Republic - More Information
The Czech Republic (soon to be known as Czechia) is an independent country within the European Union in Central Europe which consists of the regions Bohemia and Moravia. Bohemia in the west is a plateau surrounded by mountains with splendid castles, river valleys and enchanting countryside, whereas Moravia in the east is mostly hills and lowlands with pretty landscapes. The capital city of the Czech Republic is Prague located in the north-west of the country on the Vltava River. Home to a number of famous cultural attractions including Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the Jewish Quarter, Prague has long been a political, cultural and economic centre of Central Europe.
The varied region of Bohemia (also known as the Bohemian Paradise which is where our trek is located) is just 1 ½ hours’ drive from the bustling historic city of Prague, where you will find beautiful countryside with landscapes of forest and fishponds, fairytale chateaux and sublime villages home to timber cottages and rural farms. The countryside here offers endless possibilities for visiting places of natural beauty, in particular the striking rock labyrinths or ‘Geoparks’ which are famous in the Bohemian Paradise, as well as many historical monuments and majestic castles. Our trek will take you to these interesting sights, allowing you time to explore their intriguing charm.
Czech is a West Slavic language largely influenced by Latin and German, and is the official language of the Czech Republic spoken by over 10 million people. English is widely spoken in Prague but as you move further away from the tourist attractions and hotels it becomes less well spoken.
The cuisine in the Czech Republic is widely influenced by its surrounding countries. It is typically hearty, plentiful food such as thick soups, various kinds of tasty meats which are usually served with large dumplings and gravy (sometimes even a dollop of whipped cream on the side!). Desserts are typically sweet pastries or sweet dumplings. Of course you have to try the Czech beer, regarded by many as the best beer in the world!
The Czech Republic certainly has an eventful history. During the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of WWI in 1918, the Czechs and Slovaks came together to create Czechoslovakia. An estimated 140,000 Soviet soldiers died in liberating Czechoslovakia from German rule. In 1945–1946, almost the entire German-speaking minority in Czechoslovakia, about 3 million people, were expelled to Germany and Austria.
In 1989, Czechoslovakia returned to a liberal democracy through the peaceful "Velvet Revolution". However, Slovak national aspirations strengthened and on 1 January 1993, the country peacefully split into the independent Czech Republic and Slovakia. Although the political and financial crises of 1997 eroded the country's stability and prosperity, the Czech Republic succeeded in becoming a NATO member in 1999 and a European Union member in 2004.
Geography
The Czech Republic is a land locked country bordered by Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, Germany to the west and Poland to the north. The geography of this interesting country is quite varied. Bohemia, in the west (where our trek takes place) consists of a river basin and Vlatva rivers. It is surrounded mostly by low mountains which are home to the highest point in the country, the Snezka Mountain standing at 1602 metres close to the Polish border. Moravia, in the east, also has many hills and is drained predominantly by the Morava River which is a tributary to the River Danube. The water from the Czech Republic flows to three different seas; North Sea, Baltic Sea and Black Sea.
Climate
The Czech Republic has a typical European continental climate with warm, dry summers and fairly cold winters, usually with some snow. The hottest month is July when the average temperature can reach 20 degrees C, although this is when the most rainfall occurs. September welcomes autumn and is still warm but much drier than the summer. January is the coldest month with daytime temperatures usually around zero. Snow coverage normally disappears in mid-spring, even in the highest mountains. This is when the rivers are at their fullest and there is a bloom in vegetation.
Flora and Fauna
The flora includes over 20 different kinds of willows, known as the linden tree which is the national tree of the country. Along with the pine tree, these make up the most important natural flora of the Czech Republic. The most common species of wild fauna include hare, otter, pheasants, boars, deer, ducks and geese. Occasionally you can also spot eagles and herons (if you’re lucky!). Wolves and brown bears have been spotted in Northern Moravia – far away from where our Bohemia trek takes place.