Czech Republic Travel Guide

The Czech Republic is a small landlocked country in Central Europe bordering Germany to the west, Austria to the south, Poland to the north and Slovakia to the south-east. The Czech Republic is split into three historical regions; Bohemia occupying the western part of the country, with Moravia to the east. and Czech Silesia to the north-east (the rest of ancient Silesia being in neighbouring Poland). The geography of the country is a combination of picturesque rolling hills and low mountains, with broad river basins.

The country is composed of 13 administrative regions, plus the region of the Capital Prague which is located at the heart of Bohemia. Until the end of the First World War, the then separate countries of Bohemia, Silesia and Moravia had been ruled over by the Austrian, and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1918, the independent republic of Czechoslovakia was formed. In 1993, Slovakia became an independent state. The modern Czech Republic has been a member of NATO since 1999 and a member of the European Union since 2004.

The Czech Republic has become a popular tourist destination, partly because of its beautifully preserved Medieval, Baroque and Renaissance towns and city centres, and partly because of the abundance of historic chateaux and castles, of which the are over 100 of significance. About 90% of visitors never venture outside the beautiful historic capital Prague, but for those that do, many unique sights and experiences await. The vibrant university city of Olomouc in Moravia has a beautiful historic centre, second in size only to Prague, whilst Cesky Krumlov in southern Bohemia has a UNESCO World Heritage listed town centre famous for its Medieval, Baroque and Renaissance architecture. The east Bohemian Spa towns Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne and Frantiskovy Lazane are all located near the German border and are aslo popular tourist destinations, whilst well marked hiking trails and other opportunities outdoor pursuits can be found just about anywhere in the country.