5. The Czech Republic - Geography and Places of Interest
Vocabulary
Attractions
Exchange rates
Accommodations
Ethnic dishes
Local customs
Comprise
Spot
Pond
Abundant
Quarries
Clay
Sandstone
Limestone
Bank
Exquisite
Přitažlivost
Směnné kurzy
Ubytování
Etnické mísy
Místní celní úřad
Zahrnovat
Bod
Rybník
Hojný
Lomy
Jíl
Pískovec
Vápenec
Břeh
Nádherný
Speech
The Czech Republic lies in the middle (heart) of Europe. It occupies an area of almost 80 000 sq
km and has about 10 million inhabitants. We border with Germany, Slovakia, Austria and Poland.
Our republic comprises from three historical parts: Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. In our state
there are many spots of great natural beauty as well as totally spoiled by industries (e.g. the Most
area.)
The Czech republic has a varied landscape. Bohemia is surrounded by a ring of mountains – The
Šumava range, The Czech Fores and others. Bohemia is separated from the Moravia by the BohemianMoravian highlands. The North of Moravia is protected by the wooded mountainous ranges of
Jeseníky and Beskydy. The highest mountains in Moravia are Hrubý Jeseník with the highest mount,
Called Praděd 1491 m and the highest Czech mount is Sněžka 1603m.
Fertile lowlands we can found in the valleys of big rivers - the Vltava, the Elbe (flows into the
North Sea), the Odre (into the Baltic Sea) and the Morava (into the Dunabe and hence into the Black
Sea). South Bohemia and Moravia are particularly rich in ponds. The climate is mostly continental; the
warmest area is in South Moravia.
In our republic live several nationalities. Czech and Moravian belong into the major group but there
are minority groups such as the Silesians, the Roms, the Poles, the Germans, the Ukrainians and the
Russians.
Among the most beautiful natural places belong: The Czech paradise, „rock town“ in Prachov
rocks, The Děčín Walls, Czech Switzerland, The Boubín virgin forests, Koněprusy caves, Macocha
Abyss, the Jeseník mountains, Panská rock etc.
One of our most significant raw materials is coal. There are also minor deposits of iron ore, oil and
uranium (Jáchymov). The rich deposits of kaolin and clay are very important for ceramics and glass
industries as well as abundant quarries of stone, sandstone and limestone for the building industry.
The Czech economy is reconstructed into prosperous free market system with help of privatization.
The country tries to follow the principles of democracy and it is a partner state of European Union.
Chambers: The Senate and Chamber of deputies. The Government – The executive power and the
Supreme Court – the judicial power. Our state symbols are anthem Kde domov můj.
Prague
Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic with a population of over one million people. It is
not the biggest city in Europe, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful. Prague is built on seven
hills on the banks of the River Vltava. Fifteen bridges cross the river. The most famous is Charles
Bridge, which joins Prague Castle and The Old Town. The view of the Castle from the river is very
beautiful.
The city’s origins date back to the 9th century. As the seat of the Czech kings it was the political
heart of Bohemia. In the 14th century, under the Bohemian king Charles IV. In the early 17th century
Prague saw the uprising of the Czech Estates as well as the infamous execution of numerous Czech
noblemen. In 18th century Prague’s two greatest Baroque architects, Christopher and Kilian
Dientzenhofers, gave the city some of its finest buildings and sculptures.
The old center of Prague consists of five historical districts: The Old Town, The New Town and
Josefov, once the Jewish ghetto, are on the eastern bank of the River Vltava, while on the western
bank there are the Little Quarter (The Lesser Town) and Hradčany, which surround Prague Castle.
Prague Castle, probably the city’s best-known sight, is over a thousand years old. It was founded in
9th century, then rebuilt and extended many times. Once the seat of kings, it is still the official
residence of the President of the Republic. This great complex of remarkable buildings is dominated
by the exquisite St. Vitus Cathedral, built in French Gothic style. There are kept the Bohemian crown
jewels. Other interesting parts of Prague Castle include the Old Royal Palace with its huge Vladislav
Hall, the basilica of St. George and the Golden Lane.
Beneath Prague Castle lies the Little Quarter with Baroque palaces and gardens built in the 14 th and
18th centuries. The dome of St. Nicholas Church, Prague Baroque masterpiece, is the most striking
landmark of this area. The Little Quarter is connected to the city center by the famous Charles Bridge,
the 14th century Gothic structure lined with Baroque statues.
Over the River Vltava there are other two historical sectors, the Old Town, the New Town, and
much of modern Prague. The Old Town Square, the core of old Prague, has retained its historical
quality. Its charm makes it extremely popular with tourists.
Other major Prague landmarks include the Vyšehrad Citadel, where many distinguished
personalities are buried at Slavín cemetery, the former Prague Jewish Ghetto featuring a fascinating
variety of monuments associated with the life of the local Jewish community, the Baroque Loretta
Convent, the neo-Renaissance building of the National Theatre, which is symbol of the Czech
National Revival movement of the 19th century, Clementinum and Carolinum, the oldest remaining
part of Prague University founded by Charles IV. in 1348.
Some people say Prague is the most beautiful city in the world! They call it “The Golden City” and
“The Mother of Cities” because it still has many beautiful medieval buildings and statues. Perhaps the
most popular building is the Old Town Hall with its amazing 15th century astronomical clock.
People also call Prague “Europe’s School of Music”. There are many concerts halls, and every May
there is a famous music festival “Prague Spring”. There are also twenty theatres and many old pubs,
wine bars and restaurants.
There is new and modern underground, but the traffic is still a problem. It is often better to walk and
feel the atmosphere of the pretty little streets.