CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic is a member of NATO (since 1999) and the European Union (since 2004). As of January 1, 2009, the Czech Republic holds the EU Presidency.

The vast majority of the inhabitants of the Czech Republic are Czechs (94.2%). Minorities include the Slovaks (1.9%), Poles (0.5%), Vietnamese (0.44%), Germans (0.4%), and Gypsies.

Vclav Havel, the first President of the Czech Republic.

Vclav Klaus, current President of the Czech Republic.

Transport in the Czech Republic Fontwork Transport in the Czech republic Prague Airport is the main international airport in the country. In 2007, it handled 12.4 million passengers which makes it one of the busiest airports in Central Europe. In total, Czech Republic has 46 airports with paved runways, out of which six are for international air service.

esk drhy is the main railway operator in The Czech Republic with about 180 million passengers carried yearly. Its cargo division, D Cargo, is the fifth largest railway cargo operator in the European Union.

Since 2000, the Czech Republic is divided into thirteen regions.

The capital city PraguePrague is the capital and largest city of theCzech Republic.Situated on the River Vltava in central Bohemia, Prague has been the political, cultural, and economic centre of the Czech state for more than 1100 years. The city proper is home to more than 1.2 million people, while its metropolian area is estimated to have a population of over 1.9 million.

Cuisine

Czech cuisine is marked by a strong emphasis on meat dishes. Pork is quite common, and beef and chicken are also popular. Goose, duck, rabbit and wild game are served. Fish is rare, with the occasional exception of fresh trout, and carp, which is served at Christmas.Aside from Slivovitz, Czech beer and wine, Czechs also produce two uniquely Czech liquors, Fernet Stock and Becherovka. Kofola is a non-alcoholic Czech soft drinkl somewhat similar in look and taste to Coca-Cola, which is also popular.

Sport plays a significant part in the life of many Czechs who are generally loyal supporters of their favourite teams or individuals. The two leading sports in the Czech Republic are football and ice hockey, both drawing the largest attention of both the media and supporters. The many other sports with professional leagues and structures include basketball, volleyball, handball, athletics, floorball and others.

Sport

Music in the Czech Republic has roots both in high-culture opera and symphony and in the tradicional music of Bohemia and Moravia. Cross-pollination and diversity are important aspects of Czech music: Composers were often influenced by traditional music; jazz and bluegrass music have become popular; pop music often consisted of English language hits sung in Czech. Notable Czech composers include Leo Janek, Antonn Dvok and Bedich Smetana.

Music

The ENDAuthor : Petra