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General Information Area: 78,866 sq km (30,450 sq miles). Population: 10,278,098 (1999). Population Density: 130.3 per sq km. Capital: Prague. Population: 1,186,855 (official estimate 1999). GEOGRAPHY: The Czech Republic is situated in central Europe, sharing frontiers with Germany, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Austria. Only about one-quarter of the size of the British Isles, the republic is hilly and picturesque, with historic castles, romantic valleys and lakes, as well as excellent facilities to ‘take the waters’ at one of the famous spas or to ski and hike in the mountains. Among the most beautiful areas are the river valleys of the Vltava (Moldau) and Labe (Elbe), the hilly landscape and rocky mountains. Bohemia, to the west, is one of two main regions. Besides Prague, the Czech capital, tourists are drawn to the spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázne, and to the very beautiful region of South Bohemia. The Elbe flows through eastern Bohemia from the Krkonoše/Giant mountains, one of the most popular skiing regions. The eastern part, the rich agricultural area of Moravia offers a variety of wooded highlands, vineyards, folk art and castles. There are many historic towns such as Olomouc, Kromeríz and Telc. Brno is Moravia’s administrative and cultural centre. Government: Republic since 1993. Head of State: President (acting) Vladimír Spidla since 2003. Head of Government: Prime Minister Vladimir Spídla since 2002. Language: The official language is Czech. German and English are also spoken. Religion: Approximately 43 per cent Roman Catholic and 15 per cent Protestant, including churches such as the Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, Unity of Czech Brothers and Baptist. There is a community of approximately 15,000 Jews, mainly in Prague. 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. 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 (website: www.oskarmobil.cz), Eurotel (website: www.eurotel.cz) and RadioMobil (website: www.paegas.cz). Coverage extends all over the country. Fax Services are available. Internet There are Internet cafes in Prague. Local ISPs include Tiscali (website: www.tiscali.cz). 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 Jindrisská Street, Prague 1. Poste Restante services are available throughout the country. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800. Press The Prague Post (weekly) is published in English. The main Czech dailies include Mladá Fronta Dnes, Právo and Vecerník Praha (Evening Prague). BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.49 12.10 9.410 6.195 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.21 11.82 9.760 1.197 From www.columbusguides.com, Copyright © 2004 Highbury Columbus Travel Publishing Terms and Conditions apply.