In the Czech Republic, tourism is one of the components of the economy. This country is known all over the world for its historical sights, natural spas, as well as famous cuisine. Today, the Czech Republic is on the list of the ten most visited countries in the world. The local landscape is very diverse and beautiful. Huge valleys, on which the purest rivers and lakes stretch, are replaced by dense forests growing on the hills. At the moment, there are more than 130 historical complexes in the Czech Republic, which daily receive thousands of tourists from all over the world. Many of the Czech sights are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Geography of the Czech Republic

According to extrareference, the Czech Republic is located in the central part of Europe and borders Germany and Poland in the north, Slovakia in the east, Germany in the west and Austria in the south. The predominant landscape is highlands and mountains of medium height.

Capital

Prague

Area

The area of the Czech Republic is 78,866 km. sq., occupies the 114th place in the world by area.

Population

10,532,770 people.

Currency

The national currency is the Czech crown (CZK).

Language

The official language is Czech.

Visa to the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic belongs to the countries of the Schengen agreement, therefore, to visit its territory, you must have a Schengen visa. Those who already have such a visa can enter its territory by any means of transport. Tourists need to obtain a short-stay visa, which is also suitable for visiting relatives or friends. When obtaining a visa, it is necessary to show evidence of sufficient funds. Such evidence can be: a certificate of employment (indicating wages), a photocopy of an international bank card, traveler’s checks, a bank statement. The type of short-term visa is issued to its owner for up to 30 months, while the time spent in the country is determined by invitation, voucher, hotel. Usually, the processing time for an application is five days.

Weather in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is characterized by a temperate climate, changing from maritime to continental. Summers are warm here, the average temperature is +20C, and winters are cool and humid – from -5 to 0C. In the mountains, the temperature at any time of the year is slightly lower than in the plains. About 500-700 mm of precipitation falls in the Czech Republic per year. It is best to plan a trip for May-June or September, and if you are going to visit ski resorts, it is advisable to go in January-February.

Transport

The capital city transport consists of several metro lines. Trams and buses. The ticket price depends on the duration of the journey, as well as on the number of stops. A bus or tram ride costs 26 kr for 90 minutes, and a short trip (20 minutes or 5 metro stops) costs 430-45 kr. In addition, you can purchase unlimited travel cards for one day – 100 kroons and for three days – 330 kroons. After 24:00, the daytime schedule does not work, and blue signs with the nighttime schedule appear at the stops. At this time, the interval between departures is approximately 30 minutes. Local taxis can be owned by different companies, and therefore the fare is also set differently, but on average 1 km will cost 35 crowns.

Currency exchange in the Czech Republic

As of August 2011, the exchange rate of the national currency is 1 USD = 16.9 CZK. The national currency is the Czech crown. All banks work only on weekdays from 09.00 to 18.00, and exchange offices until 20.00. Checks and credit cards are accepted for payment in restaurants, large shops and hotels. Also in any city there are ATMs where you can cash out money from a credit card into Czech crowns.

Electricity

220V/50Hz (European sockets).

Religion

Among the believers, the majority is occupied by Catholics, of whom 39% are here. About 5% of the country’s population are Protestants. Today, the Czech Republic is the most atheistic state in all of Europe. According to statistics, more than half of the country’s inhabitants do not identify themselves with any existing religion.

Security

In Europe, the Czech Republic is known for its traditionally low crime rate. But neglecting simple safety rules is still not worth it. The main thing is that you can’t carry large sums of money and a lot of valuable things with you, as this can attract too much attention from gypsies and pickpockets. It is advisable not to respond to the requests of strangers in any way. Most crimes are committed in crowded public transport. At night, it is advisable not to visit unfamiliar areas of cities, especially if it is not a tourist area. This is especially true for areas with a large number of gypsies, as well as laborers. The police respond to the call very quickly, but the chance of finding the stolen items is too small.

Health

Medical services are among the best in Europe. The high level of staff and technical equipment can compete well with many Western European countries, due to the low cost of providing medical services. You don’t need to be vaccinated to visit the Czech Republic. However, it is worth having international health insurance with you.