Czech Republic is a state in Central Europe. Its capital city is Prague. Population is about ten million people and area is about 79000 sq. km. Czech Republic has not an access to the sea, but it uses ports in Baltic, Adriatic and Black Sea. The republic consists from Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. Its neighbor countries are Slovakia, Austria, Poland and Germany. The borders are most mountains (Šumava, Czech Forest, Giant Mountains, Ore Mountains, Jizerské Mountains, Eagle Mountains, Jeseníky). The most important mountains inside the country are Czech – Moravian Highlands. The most important rivers are Labe, Vltava and Morava. The highest peak in republic there is Sněžka (1602 m high). The biggest city is Prague (1.200.000 inhabitants), the second biggest city is Brno and the third there is Ostrava.

History: Space in which lies now Czech Republic it has been inhabited already since prehistory. Later it was settled by Slavic tribes. The first state was Sámo's reign and in 9^th century there was founded Great Moravia under Slavic dynasty Premyslid. This one ruled the country to 1306. Then ruled the Lucemburk dynasty with the most famous king and emperor Charles IV. During the rule of this dynasty there was a big movement, which fought for reformation of Catholic Church and society, the Hussite movement, with the leader Master John Huss and military leader Jan Žižka of Trocnov. This movement was defeated in the battle of Lipany (1434). The movement had very big influence to the later reformation in other European countries, e.g. Germany. Other dynasty, Jagellonian, was not so important. It was time of decline and counter – reformation. This one was intensified by Hapsburg dynasty. It was an Austrian and Catholic dynasty, which ruled since 1526 to 1918. The most important year was 1620, when it was fought the battle of Bílá hora, which signified the end of reformation. In 19^th century there was big era of national uprising, with the leaders Palacký, Dobrovský, Šafařík and so on. In 1867 it was founded Austria – Hungary (based on a dualism), but the national demands were not satisfied till 1918 yet. In that year it was finished the First World War and the independent Czechoslovakia was founded. The first elected Czechoslovak president was T. G. Masaryk. Republic existed until 1939. Since 1939 until 1945 we have been occupied by Nazi Germany. In 1945 we were liberated of Soviet and American Army and in 1948 the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia seized the power until 1989 (the most famous event was in 1968 Prague Spring – liberation period; it crashed under Warsaw Pact armies). After Velvet Revolution in 1989 there was elected new democratic government. In 1993 was founded autonomic Czech Republic. In March 1999 we became member of NATO.

Economy: We are country with marketing economy. Before 1989 our economy was directed by state and the production was planned. Major sector is industry, then agriculture and then services. Main areas of industry are engineering, metallurgy, mining light and food industry. Agriculture crops are maize, wheat, potatoes, sugar beet,

wine-grapes and hops. Main articles of export are beer, glass and wine.