Official name of country: Czech Republic
Nickname: City of One Thousand Spires
Population: 10.2 million
Capital City: Prague
Time Difference: The Czech Republic is +1 GMT, so it is 6 hours ahead of the east coast and 9 hours ahead of the west coast.
National Animal: Double-tailed lion
National Currency: Czech Crown
National Flower: Rose
National Tree: Lime
Festivals: The Czech Republic has a rich history of arts and culture that you can experience at festivals throughout the year. Operas, symphonies, and chamber music are a few of the highlights to look forward to at the Prague Spring International Music Festival. The multi-day Prague Fringe Festival showcases music, comedy, theater, and dance from around the world. Prague is also home to the International Folklore Festival, which will give you a taste of the many groups and cultures that make up this fascinating country.
Geography: Located in Central Europe, the Czech Republic is roughly the size of South Carolina and shares borders with Austria, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia. The western region of the country, Bohemia, contains a diverse terrain of mostly low mountains with plains, hills, and plateaus. To the east in Moravia, you will find miles of rolling, green hills. Overall, the climate in the Czech Republic is temperate and enjoyable. Summer term in Prague is warm, and rain showers are not uncommon so make sure to keep an umbrella handy. Autumn is warm and dry, but be prepared for snow and colder temperatures in the winter and early spring.
Famous People: Antonin Dvorak (composer), Franz Kafka (author), Dominik Hasek (Olympic gold medalist hockey player), Milos Forman (director), and Petra N?mcová (model).
Great Movies: The Shop on the Main Street; Closely Watched Trains; The Fireman’s Ball; Kolya; The End of the Good Old Days.