GENERAL INFORMATION
Area
78,866 sq km (30,450 sq miles).
Population
10,203,269 (2002).
Population Density
129.4 per sq km.
Capital
Prague.
Population: 1,161,938 (2002).
Government
Republic since 1993.
Head of State: President Václav Klaus since 2003.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Stanislav Gross since 2004.
Language
The official language is Czech. English and German are also spoken.
Religion
Mostly Roman Catholic and some Protestant, including churches such as the Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, Unity of Czech Brothers and Baptist. There is a small community of Jews, mainly in Prague. According to the March 2001 national Census, 60 per cent of the population profess no religious beliefs.
Time
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the European/continental summertime).
Electricity
Generally 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Most major hotels have standard international two-pin razor plugs. Lamp fittings are normally of the screw type.
Communications
Telephone
Full IDD is available. Country code: 420. Outgoing international code: 00. There are public telephone booths, including special kiosks for international calls. Surcharges can be quite high on long-distance calls from hotels. Most of the public telephone boxes take phonecards, which can be purchased at all Telecom points of sale and at newsagent and tobacconist shops.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900/1800. Network operators include Cesky Mobil , Eurotel and T Mobile . Coverage extends all over the country.
Fax
Services are available in most hotels and offices and some shops.
Internet
There are Internet cafes in Prague. Local ISPs include Tiscali. Roaming agreements exist.
Telegram
Facilities are available at all main towns and hotels.
Post
There is a 24-hour service at the main post office in Prague at 14 Jindrisská Street, Prague 1. Poste Restante services are available throughout the country. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800.
Press
The Prague Post and Prague Wochenblatt (both weekly) are published in English. The main Czech dailies include Mladá Fronta Dnes, Moravskoslezský den, Právo and Veèerník Praha.
Radio
BBC World Service and Voice of America can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.
Public Holidays
Jan 1 2005: New Year’s Day.
Mar 28: Easter Monday.
May 1: May Day.
May 8: Liberation Day.
Jul 5: Day of the Apostles St Cyril and St Methodius.
Jul 6: Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Jan Hus.
Sep 28: Czech Statehood Day.
Oct 28: Independence Day.
Nov 17: Freedom and Democracy Day.
Dec 24-26: Christmas.
Jan 1 2006: New Year’s Day.
Apr 17: Easter Monday.
May 1: May Day.
May 8: Liberation Day.
Jul 5: Day of the Apostles St Cyril and St Methodius.
Jul 6: Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Jan Hus.
Sep 28: Czech Statehood Day.
Oct 28: Independence Day.
Nov 17: Freedom and Democracy Day.
Dec 24-26: Christmas.
Special Events
The Czech nation is one of the most musical in Central Europe. Throughout the year there are many occasions to enjoy music in concert halls, theaters, stately homes and churches. Regular music festivals and concert cycles also take place. Most towns have their own folk festivals, with dancing, local costumes and food. These tend to be in the summer months leading up to the harvest festivals in September. For further details, check with the Czech Tourist Authority and travel agencies (who can also arrange music festival tours). The following is a selection of special events occurring in the Czech Republic in 2005:
Jan: FIS Cross Country Skiing World Cup.
Jan-Feb: 6th Music Theater Festival, Prague.
Feb 11-28: Shrovetide (celebrating the coming of Spring).
Apr 14-24: Junior World Ice Hockey Championships, Èeské Budìjovice.
May 12-Jun 6: 60th International Prague Spring Music Festival.
May 22: 11th Prague International Marathon.
May 23-28: Khamoro 2005 (Roma festival).
Jun: Royal Silver in Kutná Hora.
Jun 3-5: Pardubice Folklore Festival.
Jul 15-Aug 27: International Music Festival, Èeský Krumlov.
Aug 12-14: Napoleon Celebrations.
Aug 18-28: Jazz at the End of the Summer, Èeský Krumlov.
Sep: International Carlsbad Folklore Festival.
Oct 1-2: 22nd Jazzfest, Karlovy Vary.
Dec: Christmas Celebrations.
Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Celebrations, nationwide.
Contact Information:
Location
Central Europe.
Country dialing code
420.
Czech Tourist Authority
Vinohradská Suite 46, PO Box 32, 120 41 Prague 2, Czech Republic
Tel: (2) 2158 0111. Fax: (2) 2424 7516.
Prague Information Service
Betlemské Namêsti 2, 11698 Prague 1, Czech Republic
Tel: (2) 12 444. Fax: (2) 2222 1721.
Embassy of the Czech Republic
28 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QY, UK
Tel: (020) 7243 1115 or (09069) 101 060 (24-hour recorded visa information; calls cost £1 per minute). Fax: (020) 7727 9654 or 7243 7926 (consular section).
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0830-1715; Fri 0830-1600; Mon-Fri 0900-1100 (visa application); 1315-1500 (visa collection).
Czech Tourist Authority
Morley House, 320 Regent Street, W1B 3BG, London, UK
Tel: (020) 7631 0427 or (09063) 640 641 (24-hour enquiry line; calls cost 60p per minute). Fax: (020) 7631 0419.
British Embassy
Thunovská 14, 118 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic
Tel: (2) 5740 2111. Fax: (2) 5740 2296.
Embassy of the Czech Republic
3900 Spring of Freedom Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 274 9100 (general) or 9123 (consular). Fax: (202) 966 8540 or 363 6308 (visa enquiries).
Czech Tourist Authority
1109 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10028, USA
Tel: (212) 288 0830. Fax: (212) 288 0971 ext. 101/105.
Embassy of the United States of America
Trziste 15, 118 01 Prague 1, Czech Republic
Tel: (2) 5753 0663. Fax: (2) 5753 4028 (consular section).
Embassy of the Czech Republic
251 Cooper Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0G2, Canada
Tel: (613) 562 3875. Fax: (613) 562 3878.
Czech Tourist Authority
401 Bay Street, Suite 1510, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2Y4, Canada
Tel: (416) 363 9928. Fax: (416) 363 0239.
Canadian Embassy
Muchova 6, 160 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
Tel: (2) 7210 1800. Fax: (2) 7210 1890.
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