Economic and geographical characteristics of the country of the Czech Republic. Czech Republic: geographical location, nature, economy. International trade. Foreign trade turnover of the Czech Republic with Russia in millions of US dollars

Czech Republic.

Official name: Czech Republic

Country territory is 78,864 km 2 and is administratively divided into 13 regions (the 14th region is the capital city of Prague).

The Czech Republic borders Germany, Slovakia, Austria and Poland.

Official state language– Czech.

Currency unit– Czech crown.

Largest cities: Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Pilsen, Ceske Budejovice, Jihlava, Usti nad Labem, Karlovy Vary.

State structure. The Czech Republic is a parliamentary republic. The functions of legislative power are exercised by the Parliament of the Chechen Republic, consisting of two chambers: the upper chamber - the Senate and the lower chamber - the Chamber of Deputies. The executive branch is represented by the Government.

The Czech Republic is a member of many international organizations - the United Nations (UN), the European Council (EC), NATO.

A country's economy.

The Czech Republic is one of the most industrialized countries in Eastern Europe. The economy of the Czech Republic is stable and developed among other countries of the post-Soviet space. The Czech economic system is firmly based on industry (40%), services (56%) and agriculture (4%). There was a difficult period in the economic history of the Czech Republic in the late 80s and early 90s, when the collapse of the USSR led to dramatic changes in all spheres of public life in the former republics. However, already at the end of the 90s, the Czech Republic was able to cope with the existing difficulties. This was mainly due to an increase in the share of exports to the economy. The main partners of the Czech Republic are Germany, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Poland, Austria, China, and Russia. Foreign trade per capita in the Czech Republic is higher than in Japan, Great Britain and France. In the industrial sector, the Czech Republic is based on mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and electronics, and ferrous metallurgy.

Indicators of the standard of living of the population and the development of the state.

51st place in GDP - $195,657 million. 44th place in GNP per capita – $18,130. 28th place in HDI - 0.873. 15th place on the globalization index – 84.86.

Index
GDP at current prices (billion CZK)
GDP at current prices (billions of US dollars)
GDP growth in real prices as a percentage of the previous year
Inflation rate (%)
Unemployment rate (%)
Industrial production index (%)
Construction growth index (%)
Export (billion CZK)
Exports (billions of US dollars)
Imports (billion Czech crowns)
Imports (billion US dollars)
Trade balance (billion CZK)
Trade balance (billions of US dollars)
Gold and foreign exchange reserves (billion Czech crowns)
Gold and foreign exchange reserves (billions of US dollars)
Average annual US dollar exchange rate (1 USD)
Average annual euro exchange rate (1 EUR)

Economic-geographical and political-geographical position of the Czech Republic

Historically located at the intersection of numerous trade and economic routes, in the middle of the “European home”, with a high degree of territorial contact (more than half of the European states are the closest neighbors of the Czech Republic), the Czech Republic had great opportunities for transferring advanced achievements of science, technology, and culture to its soil production, progressive forms of labor organization, methods of training qualified personnel. This allowed the country, even before the Second World War, to firmly enter the top ten industrialized countries of the world and achieve a fairly high standard of living of the population. The Czech Republic is located on the Bohemian Plateau, which stretches across the entire country from west to east. The western part of the country is framed on three sides by the ridges of mountains bordering the Bohemian Massif. The Beskydy mountain group is located in Northern Moravia. The picturesque, not autumn-high Bohemian-Moravian Highlands separates the Czech Republic from Moravia. The Czech Massif is a heavily destroyed medium-altitude mountain range, composed mainly of hard crystalline rocks. Their elevated edges, almost coinciding with the state border of the country, only in some places exceed 1000 meters: in the northeast there are the Jizera Mountains and the Giant Mountains, in the northwest there are the Ore Mountains, in the southwest there are the Czech Forest and Šumava. In the east and southeast, the Bohemian massif is limited by the low (up to 800 meters) hilly Bohemian-Moravian Upland, characterized by fertile soils. The Jizera Mountains are a vast mountain range up to 1100 meters high. Large tall forests, crystal clear streams with sandy bottoms, peat bogs with small lakes and an abundance of game - all this is typical for the region described. In southern Bohemia lies the Šumava - a wide belt of low mountains with picturesque glacial lakes. The mountains are mainly composed of gneisses and granites. There are many peat bogs in the valleys, where numerous streams and rivers originate, in particular the Vltava River. The forests covering the slopes of Šumava are dominated by spruce and fir. They are rich in animals, game and forest berries, in particular blueberries and strawberries, which are even exported. In mountainous regions, one of the main occupations of the population has long been logging and rafting. On the basis of significant timber reserves, a wood processing industry has developed in Šumava, as well as large paper production. The Czech Republic is a country located inside the European continent. This economic and geographical position of the state, on the one hand, provides many advantages for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation with neighboring countries, but on the other hand, it also has negative consequences since the country is cut off from the world ocean and has no access to any of the seas. Until 1993, when Czechoslovakia was divided into two sovereign states, the country's policies and its economic potential were aimed at strengthening the socialist camp. The main partners of the Czech Republic were the socialist countries of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the socialist camp, the Czech government took a new political course and placed its main emphasis on the development of bilateral relations with the countries of Western Europe and on attracting foreign investment into the country into the Czech economy (mainly Germany, France and Italy). The Czech Republic is a member of many international organizations - the United Nations (UN), the European Council (EC), NATO.

- 182.00 Kb

Introduction………………………………………………………… ………….………3

1. Geography of the Czech Republic………………………………………………………………. ..5

2. Population of the Czech Republic………………………………………………………………… 6

3. Economy of the Czech Republic………………………………………………………………. .10

3.1 Automotive industry…………………………………………….11

3.2 Transport………………………………………………………………12

3.3 Finance…………………………………………………………… …….13

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………15

Introduction

The Czech Republic (officially the Czech Republic) is a state in Central Europe. The name of the country comes from the ethnonym of the people - Czechs. The capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, is a tourist attraction and the country's largest city. The modern Czech Republic was formed as a result of the collapse of Czechoslovakia (Velvet Divorce). Includes the historical regions of Bohemia, Moravia and part of Silesia.

The Czech lands have been known since the end of the 9th century, when they were united by the Přemyslids. In the “Czech Chronicle” of Cozma of Prague you can read: “In the year of Christ 894. Borzhivoy, the first prince of the holy Christian faith, was baptized.” The reliability of this fact is controversial. The Kingdom of Bohemia (Bohemia) had considerable power, but religious conflicts (the Hussite Wars in the 15th century and the Thirty Years' War in the 17th century) devastated it. Later it came under the influence of the Habsburgs and became part of Austria-Hungary.

Following the collapse of this state after World War I, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Subcarpathian Ruthenia united to form the independent Republic of Czechoslovakia in 1918. The country had a large enough ethnic German minority that it was the reason for the dissolution of Czechoslovakia when Germany achieved annexation of the Sudetenland as a result of the Munich Agreement of 1938, which led to the secession of Slovakia. The remaining Czech state was occupied by Germany in 1939 (became known as the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia).

After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell into the Soviet sphere of influence and became a socialist country (Czechoslovakia). In 1968, the invasion of Warsaw Pact troops ended the attempts of the country's leaders under Alexander Dubcek to liberalize party rule, and create “socialism with a human face” during the Prague Spring.

In 1989, Czechoslovakia turned away from the path of socialist development as a result of the Velvet Revolution. On January 1, 1993, the country peacefully split into two, forming the independent Czech Republic and Slovakia (“the velvet divorce”).

The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. Simultaneously with joining the EU, the Czech Republic signed the Schengen Agreement, and since December 21, 2007, border controls at the land borders of the Czech Republic were abolished. On March 31, 2008, controls were also lifted on flights arriving from Schengen countries. From 1 January 2009, the Czech Republic held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for 6 months (until 1 June 2009).

Geography of the Czech Republic

The territory of the Czech Republic is 78,866 km² (including 77,276 km² of land surface and 1,590 km² of water).

The total length of the border is 1,880 km. It borders with Poland (border length 658 km) in the north, Germany in the northwest and west (border length 646 km), Austria in the south (border length 362 km) and Slovakia in the east (border length 214 km).

Protrusions: Aschsky ledge, Frydlantsky ledge, Šluknovsky ledge, Broumovsky ledge, Javornitsky ledge, Osoblazsky ledge and Břeclavsky ledge (Dyjski triangle).

The Czech landscape is very diverse. The western part (Bohemia) lies in the basins of the Laba (Elbe) and Vltava (Moldau) rivers, surrounded mainly by low mountains (Sudetes and their part - Giant Mountains), where the highest point of the country is located - Mount Snezka with a height of 1,602 m. Moravia, eastern part , is also quite hilly and mainly lies in the Morava (March) river basin, and also contains the source of the Odra (Oder) river. In addition to high forested mountain ranges, the Czech Republic has fertile plains and the famous Czech forests. Rivers from the landlocked Czech Republic flow into three seas: the North, Baltic and Black.

The climate is temperate with warm summers and cold, cloudy, wet winters, determined by a mixture of maritime and continental influences. In summer the average air temperature is +20° C, in winter –5° C.

Population of the Czech Republic

The majority of the population of the Czech Republic (95%) is made up of ethnic Czechs and speakers of the Czech language, which belongs to the group of West Slavic languages. Foreigners make up about 4% of the country's population. Among immigrants, the largest diaspora in the Czech Republic are Ukrainians, of whom 110,733 lived in the country as of August 31, 2011 (outflow compared to August 2010: 15,788). In second place are Slovaks (79,924 - influx for the year 8,248), many of whom remained in the Czech Republic after the division in 1993 and make up approximately 2% of the population. In third place are citizens of Vietnam (56,716 - outflow for the year is 3,889). Following them are citizens of Russia (29,336 - outflow for the year 1958) and Poland (18,942). Other ethnic groups include Germans (13,577), Roma and Hungarians.

By language, the Czechs belong to the West Slavic peoples. The early works of Czech writing of the 13th-14th centuries were based on the language of central Bohemia. But as the influence of the Catholic Church, German feudal lords and the urban patriciate increased in the country, the Czech language began to be oppressed in favor of the German and Latin languages. But during the Hussite wars, literacy and the literary Czech language became widespread among the masses. Then came the two-century decline of Czech culture under the rule of the Habsburgs, who pursued a policy of Germanization of the subject Slavic peoples. The Czech language began to revive only at the end of the 18th century; its basis was the literary language of the 16th century, which explains the presence of many archaisms in the modern Czech language, in contrast to the living spoken language. The spoken language is divided into several groups of dialects: Czech, Middle Moravian and East Moravian.

The Czech Republic is one of the most densely populated countries. The average population density is 130 people. per 1 sq. km. The distribution of the population on the territory of the republic is relatively even. The most densely populated areas are the areas of large urban agglomerations - Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Pilsen (up to 250 people per 1 sq. km). The areas of Cesky Krumlov and Prachatice have the lowest population density (about 37 people per 1 sq. km). As of 1991, there were 5,479 settlements in the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic is a highly urbanized country: about 71% of the population lives in cities and towns, while more than 50% live in cities with a population of over 20 thousand inhabitants; the share of the rural population continues to decline. The only metropolis in the Czech Republic is Prague, which is home to 1,188 thousand residents (as of December 31, 2006; the population of Prague has been slowly decreasing since 1985). As of 2006, in the Czech Republic there are 5 cities with a population of more than 100,000 inhabitants (Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Pilsen, Olomouc), 17 cities with a population of more than 50,000 inhabitants and 44 with more than 20,000 inhabitants.

The total population of the Czech Republic, having reached a post-war maximum in 1991 - 10,302 thousand people - subsequently declined slowly until 2003, when it amounted to just over 10,200 thousand people, but since then there has been a slight increase to 10,530 thousand people - mainly due to an increase in the flow of migrants (primarily from Ukraine, Slovakia, Vietnam, Russia, Poland and the countries of the former Yugoslavia). Natural population growth was negative in the period 1994-2005; in 2006, some positive growth was observed due to an increase in the birth rate and a decrease in mortality. At the same time, the level of female fertility is still deeply insufficient for population reproduction (about 1.2 children per 1 woman of reproductive age). In recent years, the Czech Republic has become one of the countries with the lowest infant mortality rate (less than 4 people per 1000 births). Since 1990, the Czech Republic has seen a constant decrease in the number of abortions and cases of induced termination of pregnancy.

The majority of the population - 71.2% - is of productive age (from 15 to 65 years), while 14.4% of Czech citizens are under 15 years of age, and 14.5% are over 65 years of age. At the productive age, the number of men slightly exceeds the number of women, but in the post-productive age women significantly predominate (there is one man for every two women). The average age of the Czech population is 39.3 years (women - 41.1 years, men - 37.5 years). Average life expectancy is 72.9 years for men and 79.7 years for women (as of 2006).

Most of the adult population is married, although the proportion of unmarried people is relatively high: one in five men and one in eight women are unmarried. Currently, men get married at 28 years old, women at 26 years old, which is approaching the European trend. The first child appears in a family most often 6 months after the wedding. Czech families are characterized by a high divorce rate. Currently, almost every second marriage ends in divorce, resulting in almost 80% of all children under the age of 15 living in single-parent families. The average family size has decreased over the past 30 years from 3.5 to 2.2 people.

The economically active population makes up 51.5% of the total. A specific feature of the Czech Republic among other countries is the high level of employment of women, who make up about 48% of the total economically active population. Most women work in service sectors - healthcare, education, trade and public catering. Most women work out of economic necessity in order to maintain the family's standard of living. The unemployment rate is 7.3% (November 2006), which is higher than in 1990-1997. (3-5%), but noticeably less than in 1999-2004. (up to 10.5%).

Illiteracy in the Czech Republic is practically non-existent (occasionally found among older Roma people). A high level of literacy was typical for Czechs even during the First Republic (1918-1938): at that time, about 95% of all residents had a basic education. In recent years, the level of education has increased significantly. Every third economically active resident of the Czech Republic has completed secondary education (corresponding to the level of 12-13 years of education), and every tenth citizen of the Czech Republic has or is receiving higher education. The typical worker has at least intermediate vocational training. The high qualifications of Czech workers is one of the main advantages of the Czech economy. So far, the country lags behind the most developed European countries in terms of the share of the population with completed secondary and higher education.

At the end of March 2008, 402,300 foreigners were living in the Czech Republic with long-term and permanent residence permits. In 2007, 70,600 foreign citizens arrived in the Czech Republic to live, which is an absolute record in history. According to the Czech Statistical Office, by the end of 2008, 438,301 foreigners lived in the Czech Republic, of which 265,374 had long-term residence status, the rest of the foreigners had permanent residence status. According to the Czech Statistical Office, in 2009 the population of the Czech Republic reached 10.5 million people. Compared to the figure for 2008, the number of immigrants decreased by half, amounting to 40 thousand people, and the number of emigrants doubled, reaching 11.6 thousand people.

In connection with the economic crisis of 2008-2009, the Czech Republic is implementing measures aimed at reducing the number of foreign workers in the country. The state encourages the departure of immigrants by fully paying for the trip or flight home of those who agree to leave the country, in addition to a one-time allowance of 500 euros.

Population income:

From 2001 to 2008, the average monthly salary in the Czech Republic increased from 420 to 910 euros. By 2009 it had dropped to 890 euros.

3. Economy of the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is an industrial country. The main industries are fuel and energy, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemical, light and food.

Among all post-communist states, the Czech Republic has one of the most stable and successful economic systems. Its basis is industry (mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and electronics, chemistry, food industry, ferrous metallurgy) and the service sector. The share of agriculture, forestry, and mining is insignificant and continues to decline.

After the fall of communism in 1989, the Czech Republic inherited the former economic structure from the Czechoslovakia, which in the new conditions turned out to be energy inefficient, not environmentally friendly and outdated from an industry point of view. A disproportionately large share was occupied by ferrous metallurgy using imported raw materials, heavy engineering and the military industry. The range of goods produced significantly exceeded the objective capabilities of the country, which led to small-scale production and a decrease in its efficiency. Foreign trade was subject to CMEA directives, focused on the needs of the USSR, and was insignificant compared to developed countries.

In 1995, the Czech Republic was the first among all former communist countries to be admitted to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

3.1 Automotive industry

Description of work

The content of the work

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………….………3
1. Geography of the Czech Republic………………………………………………………………...5
2. Population of the Czech Republic…………………………………………………………………………………6
3. Economy of the Czech Republic………………………………………………………………..10
3.1 Automotive industry…………………………………………………….11
3.2 Transport………………………………………………………………………………12
3.3 Finance………………………………………………………………………………….13
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………15
List of sources used………………………………………………………16

Send your good work in the knowledge base is simple. Use the form below

Students, graduate students, young scientists who use the knowledge base in their studies and work will be very grateful to you.

Posted on http://www.allbest.ru/

FEDERAL STATE AUTONOMOUS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OF HIGHER PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

BELGOROD STATE NATIONAL

RESEARCH UNIVERSITY (National Research University "BelSU")

FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND SERVICE

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND SOCIO-CULTURAL SERVICE

Economic and geographical characteristics of the Czech Republic

Full-time students

1st year group 171103

Gaeva Ekaterina Andreevna

Scientific adviser:

Ph.D., Associate Professor

Komarova M.E.

BELGOROD 2012

Introduction

Czech Republic? official name is the Czech Republic. State in Central Europe. It borders with Poland (border length 658 km) in the north, Germany - in the northwest and west (border length 646 km), Austria - in the south (border length 362 km) and Slovakia - in the east (border length 214 km ). The total length of the border is 1880 km. The territory of the Czech Republic is 78.9 thousand square kilometers. The name of the country comes from the ethnonym of the people - Czechs. The capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, is a tourist attraction and the largest city in the country. The modern Czech Republic was formed as a result of the collapse of Czechoslovakia (Velvet Divorce).

According to the Constitution, the Czech Republic is a parliamentary republic. The head of state (president) is indirectly elected every five years by parliament. The President is given special powers: to nominate judges for the Constitutional Court, to dissolve parliament under certain conditions, and to veto laws. He also appoints the Prime Minister, who sets the direction of domestic and foreign policy, as well as other members of the government cabinet on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The current President of the Czech Republic is Vaclav Klaus.

Main leading parts:

1) ODS - Civil Democratic Party;

2) CSSD - Czech Social Democratic Party;

3) KSCM - Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia;

4) KDU-CSL -- Christian Democratic Union

5) Czechoslovak People's Party;

6) SZ -- Green Party;

7) SNK ED -- Association of independent candidates

8) European Democrats;

9) CSNS - Czech National Socialist Party;

10) NBS CS - National Bolshevik Party of Czechoslovakia;

11) KC - Czech Crown - monarchical party of the Czech Republic, Bohemia and Moravia;

12) TOP 09 -- Tradition Responsibility Prosperity 09;

13) VV - Public affairs.

The Czech Republic consists of the capital and 13 regions:

1) Prague is the capital;

2) Central Bohemian region? authorities are located in Prague;

3) South Bohemian region? Ceske Budejovice;

4) Pilsen region? Pilsen;

5) Karlovy Vary region? Karlovy Vary;

6) Usty region? Ústí nad Labem;

7) Liberec region? Liberec;

8) Kralove Hradeck region? Hradec Kralove;

9) Pardubice region - Pardubice;

10) Olomouc region - Olomouc;

11) Moravian-Silesian region - Ostrava;

12) South Moravian region - Brno;

13) Zlín region - Zlín;

14) Vysočina - Jihlava.

1. General characteristics of the country

1.1 Brief physical and geographical characteristics of the Czech Republic

The country is located in the transition zone from the Central European maritime climate to the continental Eastern European climate, i.e. is located in the climatically favorable temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. The climate of the Czech Republic is more or less equal throughout the country, with warm summers and cold, cloudy and wet winters. The weather in the Czech Republic in summer is quite stable and pleasant, since the mountains surrounding the Czech Republic along the entire perimeter do not allow winds to penetrate. In winter, enough snow falls in the mountains, which allows several ski resorts to operate, both in the south of the Czech Republic and in the north of the country.

Flora of the Czech Republic. About 30% of the territory of the Czech Republic is covered by forests. In the mountains, coniferous species predominate, namely: spruce (61%) and pine (22%), and on the plains - deciduous forests (maple, beech, ash, oak). Above the forest line there are alpine meadows. 12% of the entire country’s territory (9270 sq. km) is occupied by nature reserves, and several national parks have also been created. Separately, it is worth mentioning the collection of unusual forms of coniferous plants in the Czech Republic. Natural mutations of common spruces, pines and larches are collected by collectors and propagated by grafting. Thus, amazing miniature trees are obtained.

The diversity of natural conditions is also reflected in the soil cover. Soils are affected by differences in topography, climate and hydrogeology of individual areas. The most common are podzolic and brown forest soils; chernozem and other soils occupy a smaller area. A significant part of the podzols is covered with forest, and the share of these soils in the agricultural land fund is much lower than in the general soil cover of the country. On the territory of the Czech Republic there are two relatively significant areas of chernozem soils in the central regions of the country and in Central Moravia. They are widely used for crops of sugar beets, winter wheat and barley. The bulk of the country's grain crops are concentrated on brown soils. Podzolic soils are used mainly for crops of oats, rye and potatoes, but most of them are occupied by forest vegetation. The Czech Republic is not known for its rich mineral deposits. The main resources of the Czech Republic, mined from the bowels of the earth, are brown and hard coal, as well as kaolin - the raw material from which the famous Czech porcelain is made. The Czech Republic has very rich medicinal natural resources. The Czech Republic is sufficiently supplied with fresh water. The largest rivers are the Vltava, Elbe, Morava and Dyje. There are also many small lakes and ponds throughout the country. The Czech Republic is rich in mineral resources. There are silver mines, salt mines, quarries for developing deposits of quartz sand, and crystal mining is carried out. There are many mineral springs throughout the country, which is conducive to the development of spa treatment.

1.2 Main stages in the history of the country’s development

After World War I, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Subcarpathian Ruthenia united and formed the independent Republic of Czechoslovakia in 1918. After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell into the Soviet sphere of influence and became a socialist country (Czechoslovakia). In 1989, Czechoslovakia turned away from the path of socialist development as a result of the Velvet Revolution. On January 1, 1993, the country peacefully split into two, forming the independent Czech Republic and Slovakia (“the velvet divorce”). Vaclav Havel remained its president for two terms, until 2003. He was replaced in this post by Vaclav Klaus. In 1999, the Czech Republic became a member of NATO, and in 2004 joined the European Union. Simultaneously with joining the EU, the Czech Republic signed the Schengen Agreement, and since December 21, 2007, border controls at the Czech land borders were abolished. On March 31, 2008, controls were also lifted on flights arriving from Schengen countries. From 1 January 2009, the Czech Republic held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for 6 months (until 1 June 2009).

In the 19th century there was a rapid growth of Czech culture and a rise in national self-awareness. An important role in this process was played by musicians, artists and writers - composers Bedřich Smetana and Antonin Dvořák, artist Mikołáš Aleš, sculptor Jozsf Myslbek and writer Antonín Jirasek, whose works were extremely popular. The Czech language has become the main instrument for the formation of the national idea. Theaters and museums sprang up throughout the country, testifying to the role of culture in national life.

The culture of the Czech Republic, like the culture of any other country, is unlike anything else; it is original, individual and simply unique. You can explore the cultural characteristics of the Czech Republic by visiting any corner of this wonderful country. Trips to Prague will provide you with an acquaintance with the architecture of the Czech Republic; you will be able to admire ancient castles and palaces to your heart's content, if, of course, you visit excursions to Prague.

The cultural heritage of the Czech Republic is quite large and well-known. There are quite a few surviving architectural monuments. Bizarre architectural structures - bridges of the Czech Republic. In the capital, in addition to the sculptural compositions that all of Prague knows (the monument to Wenceslas on horseback is the most striking example), there are many buildings of invaluable historical and cultural significance: the Powder Tower, Prague Castle, Petřín Lookout Tower. These names do not exhaust the list of treasures that the Czech Republic is proud of. Krupka is a vast area of historical monuments that is definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in the old Czech resort of Teplice. Holidays that involve exploring the picturesque corners of the Czech Republic have become especially popular lately. In the northeast of the country are the Giant Mountains, covering an area of almost 800 square meters. km. (Translated into Russian their name is “Giant Mountains”). One of the most popular national parks is located here. The picturesque Jizera Mountains worthyly compete with the Giant Mountains in beauty and popularity. The unique wealth of flora is adequately presented here; tourists enjoy admiring the mountain landscapes, caves, lakes and waterfalls. In the Liberec region there is Machovo Lake, a natural body of water with picturesque surroundings. Dense forests and rock formations, clear lake water, a sandy beach, plus the presence of historical attractions in the area make this natural area a favorite vacation spot for many Czechs and tourists from other countries who willingly come here. In the south of the country there is the Moravian Karst - famous caves throughout Europe. There are only about a thousand of them in the reserves; there are also some that are equipped with amenities for tourists in the form of lighting and paths. Interesting national traditions have been preserved in the Czech Republic. Czechs, especially rural residents, wear national clothes. Czechs love music and still celebrate some traditional holidays. Until now, they have maintained a careful attitude towards wedding theatrical performances with ritual dances. A village wedding takes place in a village tavern with a large number of guests invited. Czechs celebrate not only their birthday, but also their name day. It is a tradition that parents choose their child's name from a list of 400 names. Therefore, every day of the year one or two names are celebrated. But the biggest holiday in the Czech Republic remains Christmas. But the most fun holiday is probably Maslenitsa. In rural areas, it is celebrated by all the villagers together. Carnival processions are organized. The celebration of the end of the harvest is called Dozhinok. In southern Moravia, the beginning of autumn fishing is celebrated in numerous ponds, many of which are over 400 years old. Every city and town in the Czech Republic will delight you with an abundance of beers, the national Czech drink, white and red wines, various liqueurs, and, of course, pamper you with its unique cuisine.

1.3 Characteristics of the country's population

Today the country has a population of 10 million 562 thousand people. National composition: 81.3% Czechs, 13.7% residents of Moravia and Silesia, 5% other national minorities, of which: Germans 50 thousand people, Roma 300 thousand people. and Jews 2 thousand people. Religious composition: atheists 39.8%, Catholics 39.2%, Protestants 4.6%, Orthodox 3%, supporters of other religions 13.4%. The average life expectancy in the Czech Republic is 76.62 years.

Sex percentage:

1) at birth: 1,059 men/women;

2) up to 15 years: 1.06 men/women;

3) 15 - 64: 1.01 men/women;

4) 65 and older: 0.66 men/women;

5) Total population: 0.95 men/women

Today in the Czech Republic there are more than 40 higher educational institutions of various organizational and legal forms that train bachelors, masters, engineers and doctors. The latter title is awarded to graduates of university medical faculties. All levels of Czech education fall under the International Standards for Classification of Education (ISCED), and fully comply with European Union standards. Diplomas from Czech universities are fully recognized in all countries of the world. Education in the Czech Republic is also completely free for foreign citizens. The Czech Republic and Prague mean prestige and prospects. Most universities in the Czech Republic can offer their students a high standard of education. Diplomas from Charles University, the Higher School of Economics in Prague, the Technical University in Ostrava, the Institute of Entrepreneurship in Ostrava, Masaryk University in Brno, the Hotel Institute and the Banking Institute in Prague and many others are highly valued in the international arena. International status and recognition of the diploma provides the opportunity to live and work in the countries of the European Union. The modern quality of higher education, corresponding to European standards, is ensured by good funding. 6% of GNP goes only to higher education, in addition, Czech universities are well funded by the largest European companies interested in their graduates, which allows them to attract teachers from the European Union and organize internships in other countries, exchanges of groups of students. Graduates of Czech universities have the right to apply for permanent residence. Within the framework of such a program, they do not require proof of work experience in their specialty in the Czech Republic. In order to get a chance for permanent residence, it is enough to enroll in a Czech university and after 4 or 6 years successfully graduate, combining business with pleasure, so to speak.

1.4 Economic characteristics of the country

The Czech Republic today is an industrially and socially developed state, whose economy is built on the principles of an open free market.

The standard and quality of life in the Czech Republic are among the highest in the world (14th place in the HDI ranking in 2011). The Czech Republic is one of the most industrialized countries among the countries located in Central and Eastern Europe. GDP per capita is $41,800, which is 142% of the European Union average (2011). In 2004, the International Monetary Fund recognized the Czech Republic as a developed First World country. This is one of the most socially developed countries on earth. In terms of foreign trade per capita, the country is one of the leaders, ahead of countries such as Japan, Great Britain, France, and Italy. The Czech Republic is one of the most prosperous post-communist states in Europe. The Czech Republic is one of the world leaders in car production per capita.

Main industries: automotive industry, mechanical engineering, iron and steel production, metalworking, chemical products, tourism industry, electricity, water and gas production, electrical engineering, mining, construction materials production, transport equipment, construction, woodworking, pulp and paper and printing, textiles , glass, pharmaceuticals, beer, porcelain, ceramics, food industry. The mining industry is small and continues to decline. In 2011, 15.7 million hec. liters of beer were produced in the Czech Republic. Czech agriculture has a long tradition, despite the fact that the Czech Republic is a powerful industrial country. Due to the climatic conditions, the country grows many types of vegetables, fruits and livestock. Traditional agricultural products include grain, potatoes, sugar beets, grapes (table and wine varieties), and fruits.

Main economic indicators of the Czech Republic in 2011:

1) GDP growth - 1.2%;

2) Inflation 1.9%;

3) Average salary 24089 CZK;

4) Unemployment 8.6%;

5) Unemployment in Prague 4.05%;

8) The main lending rate of the Central Bank is 0.75%;

9) Price of gasoline Natural 95: 34.8 CZK;

10) State budget deficit - 120 billion Czech crowns.

1.5 Characteristics of the main regions of the country

The Czech lands are divided into three historical regions: Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia with regional centers Prague, Brno and Ostrava.

Central Bohemian region? the largest region of the Czech Republic with its administrative center in Prague. Prague is the heart of the Czech Republic and Europe. It is one of the most beautiful and impressive cities in the world, constantly growing, developing, becoming richer and currently ranked fifth in the list of richest regions in the EU. Prague accounts for a quarter of the Czech Republic's GDP and half of the country's foreign direct investment. A highly developed industrial area with intensive agriculture. The region accounts for 10.9% of Czechoslovakia's industrial production. Coal mining in the Kladno Basin. (3.2 million tons in 1961), iron and polymetallic ore Cascade hydroelectric station on the river. Vltava. Mechanical engineering, chemical, food (especially sugar) industries are developed. Agriculture combines beet-grain field farming and meat and dairy animal husbandry.

Vegetable growing and horticulture, 3 areas - hop growing. Prague ranks seventh in the list of the most visited cities in Europe, fourth in terms of quality and price of hotel services, and fifth in the list of the most popular Christmas tours. It boasts unique architecture, a huge number of theaters, concert and exhibition halls, museums, galleries, and cinemas. Since 1992, the historical center of Prague with a total area of 866 hectares has been included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. The list of architectural monuments is headed by Prague Castle, which towers over the city center; the historical core of the city stretches along both banks of the Vltava River. Thanks to close connections with the capital, enormous economic potential and a dense transport network, the Central Bohemian Region is considered one of the most important regions in the country. It can be proud of its rich history and a huge number of cultural monuments, the highest concentration of which is in the city of Kutna Hora, the historical center of which is listed by UNESCO. The incredibly diverse landscape of Central Bohemia offers tourists a number of natural masterpieces. From the point of view of natural objects, the most valuable is the Křivoklát region - a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1977. The most picturesque area is the Kokořín region; the Bohemian Karst, Blahnik and surrounding areas, as well as the Bohemian Paradise are no less beautiful.

Moravia is known as a fertile region covered with vineyards, a land of living folk traditions, friendly people, stunning nature and rich history. Its territory is occupied mainly by hills, hills and low mountain ranges. The center of Moravia - the city of Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, is an important center of trade, hosting large fairs. Every year the city hosts approximately 50 different industry fairs. The city is also a scientific center, hosting a number of scientific institutions and research institutes. Agriculture has a long tradition. Grain, sugar beets, grapes and fruits are grown on 60% of the region's area. The region's gross national product is the second largest in the Czech Republic. At the same time, the processing industry and agriculture have the largest share in the economy. International economic cooperation is developing in the Pomoravian Euroregion, which includes Weinviertel, South Moravia and Western Slovakia.

Silesia is a historical region in Central Europe. Most of Silesia is part of Poland, smaller parts are in the Czech Republic and Germany. The main city? is the city of Ostrava. Compared to many other regions of the Czech Republic, Silesia is less developed in terms of tourism, but there are sights that are worth seeing. On the territory of Silesia, as well as in Bohemia and Moravia, medieval architectural structures - fortresses and castles - are well preserved. In Ostrava you can see the Church of St. Wenceslas from the 14th century, the Basilica of the Savior in the neo-Renaissance style, the New Town Hall, the Church of St. Catherine of the 16th century. The Ostrava Zoo also deserves special attention.

2. Characteristics of tourist resources

Tourism in the Czech Republic? one of the main sectors of the Czech economy. The Czech Republic, as a country rich in historical and natural attractions and famous for its cuisine and natural spas, attracts tourists from many countries around the world.

In the south of the Czech Republic there are 7,500 ponds, the famous Lipen Dam and the Orlik Dam, lakes in the Bohemian Forest mountains. There are ample opportunities for fishing and hunting, and winter sports lovers stop at the sports centers of Šumava. The attractive power of this tourist area is complemented by numerous castles and fortresses (including the huge castle of R. Český Krumlov), the center of the Hussite movement in Tábor, the Boubin Forest in the Bohemian Forest, as well as the brewery in České Budejovice, where the famous beer "Budvar".

East Bohemian region? this is a tourist area that includes the Krkonose mountain region (the international winter center Špindlerov Mlýn is located here) and Orlickie. Here is the famous resort of Janske Lazne, the “Czech Paradise” with picturesque cliffs and romantic castles and other natural sites. In addition to the picturesque nature, the region attracts with the architecture of Hradec Kralove (Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, White Tower, etc.), places associated with the life of J. Hasek and the hero of his work - Švejk. During the fun festivals “Lipnice Days of Hasek”, many tourists come to the village of Lipnice, where the museum of this writer is located.

Industrial tourism occupies an important place in the North Moravian Region, since numerous and varied Silesian industrial enterprises are located here, including the “industrial heart of the region”? city of Ostrava. The recreational resources of the zone are concentrated in the Jesenik and Beskid ridges, where geological engineering surveys are being carried out. Many are attracted by the city of Olomouc, where several architectural styles are mixed. The South Moravian region thanks to the healing springs of the Luhačevice resort, as well as the location here of the second city of the Czech Republic after Prague - Brno and the karst caves located near it, the fortresses of Vevergi and Pergdtein, the monument in Austerlitz (now Slavkov), the “pearl of the zone” the town of Lednice with a castle and high minaret and other objects has become one of the most popular areas of foreign tourism in the Czech Republic. Of particular importance in attracting foreigners to this area is the holding of traditional international engineering fairs in Brno.

Main types of tourism in the Czech Republic:

1) Excursion. The main type of tourism in the Czech Republic is excursions. Fortunately, there is no shortage of historical heritage. The most popular tourist sites are architectural monuments. At the same time, it is difficult to find a tour that would include a pure inspection of castles and other architectural attractions. An indispensable attribute of excursion tours is beer tasting and acquaintance with Czech cuisine. Very popular are visits to breweries and the Jan Becher plant in Karlovy Vary, where the drink of the same name, Karlovy Vary Becherovka, is produced.

2) Wellness. Quite often, tours include study tours to health resorts in the Czech Republic. As a rule - in Karlovy Vary. And whoever decides to seriously improve their health can purchase a full-fledged package for treatment at one of the specialized resorts.

3) Winter holidays. Winter holidays in the Czech Republic are becoming increasingly popular. Ski resorts in the country are distinguished by constant weather and rather modest prices, in comparison with their alpine competitors. At the same time, the level of service is constantly growing. The most popular places for winter holidays are Spindleruv Mlyn, Harrachov, Pec pod Snezkou.

4) Beach holiday. Holidays on lakes are less popular in the Czech Republic. Although, for a change, it makes sense to remember about him.

The Czech Republic's tourist accommodation fund includes about 275 thousand rooms, capable of accommodating 525 thousand tourists at the same time. About 90% of workers in the entire hotel industry in the country work for the benefit of hotel services. Tourists prefer traveling to the Czech Republic for several reasons. Firstly, there is really something to see here, secondly, air tickets will not put a big dent in your pocket, and thirdly, a developed tourist service of a European level can satisfy even the most selective tourists. The Czech Republic offers accommodation in regular hotels, castle hotels, hotels on lakes, specialized resort hotels, as well as motels and private accommodation. Today, almost all hotels in the Czech Republic have switched from a letter classification to a distinction based on the number of stars. Wide range of accommodation options allow you to rent an apartment or stay in one of the capital's hotels - cruise ships converted into hotels. The most famous and largest hotel chain in the Czech Republic is Orea Hotels, consisting of 25 hotels in the 2*-5* category. Hotels such as Interhotel Voronez, Excelsior, Panorama, Ambassador and Club Hotel Praha are part of the prestigious international system Top International Hotels. The Czech Republic is positioned abroad through five main tourism themes:

1) The charm of towns, castles and attractions;

2) Healthy and active recreation;

3) Zlata Prague (in three senses: historical, cultural and for youth);

4) Resorts: a place for recreation and entertainment;

5) Church monuments and places of pilgrimage.

Most of the people who come to the Czech Republic are Germans (2 million), Slovaks, English, Japanese, and Russians.

Modern people living in big cities are daily exposed to stress, unfavorable environmental conditions, and unbalanced nutrition. Various modern drugs and vitamins do not give the desired effect, which leads to the development of various diseases and aging of the body. To prevent and treat diseases, spa treatment is recommended in various countries of the world. Wellness holidays are comprehensive assistance for those who want to improve their health, get medical advice from world-class specialists, relax, lose weight and change their appearance at mineral resorts and thalassotherapy centers. The development of medical and health tourism is very significant, since this type plays a huge role in tourism, it is constantly being improved and occupies one of the leading positions in tourism. Nowadays it is very fashionable to lead a healthy lifestyle and more and more people are striving for it. All over the world there are many resources that contribute to the development of medical and health tourism; in connection with this, a large number of new treatment methods are being developed.

education life tourism Czech Republic

Conclusion

The Czech Republic is one of the industrialized countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Czech industry produces about 0.3% of the world's gross output at a fairly high level. The Czech Republic ranks 38th in the global economic competitiveness ranking, being a member of more than 60 international economic and financial organizations. The Czech economy is one of the most stable and successfully reformed economies among the former socialist countries. Its basis is such industries as general mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, ferrous metallurgy, electrical engineering and electronics, chemistry and petrochemistry, agriculture and food processing, glass production, pharmaceuticals, textile production, as well as the service sector. The Czech Republic is one of the largest global and European exporters of mechanical engineering products and, in particular, one of the top five global producers of passenger cars per capita. The most important contribution to the development of the Czech economy is made by foreign trade in goods and services. The Czech Republic's share in world foreign trade is: for exports - 0.5%, for imports - 0.6%. In 2010, the main trading partners of the Czech Republic were EU countries, which accounted for 73.7% of the country's foreign trade turnover, China (6.5%), CIS countries (6.3%), including Russia (4.2%). According to the Czech Statistical Office, the foreign trade turnover of the Czech Republic in 2011 increased by 20.8% and amounted to 313.6 billion US dollars. Czech exports grew by 21.9% to $162.2 billion, while Czech imports grew by 19.6% to $151.4 billion. It should be noted that the growth rate of Czech foreign trade with countries around the world in national currency is somewhat different due to the difference in the average annual exchange rate of the Czech crown against the US dollar.

Among European countries, the Czech Republic has become quite popular for international tourism, and this turning point in the country’s tourism has occurred in the last few decades. The country is perfect for those tourists who prefer a relaxing holiday, with sightseeing, and interesting and educational excursion programs. The Czech Republic also offers relaxation for lovers of noisy parties - for this, the Czech Republic has analogues of English pubs, where interesting entertainment programs are constantly held. The country hosts various festivals reminiscent of the German Beer Festival, as well as music and traditional festivals. Despite the fact that there is a lot to look at in the Czech Republic, most tourists still first of all strive to visit Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, where there is everything for a complete and memorable holiday. The Czech Republic is open to international tourism all year round, and the flow of tourists in this country never dries up. Individual travelers, families with children, friends in cheerful groups, as well as lovers and connoisseurs of history, architecture and art come here. Culture lovers have a lot to see in the Czech Republic, as all major cities in the country have museums of fine art from different periods, ranging from medieval art to contemporary art. If you prefer outdoor recreation, you should definitely visit the small towns and villages of the Czech Republic, which have preserved their original appearance and still delight with their original architecture and tranquility of those tourists who prefer a secluded and relaxing holiday to everything in the world.

List of sources used

1. Bulatova A.S. World economy [Text]: Textbook // Moscow, 2002, 734 P.

2. Kireev A.P. International economics [Text]: Textbook. manual for universities // Moscow, 1997.

3. Kolosov V. A. Geopolitics and political geography [Text]: Textbook for university students // Moscow, 2005, 479 pp.

4. Kopytina M.O. Czech Republic: trade and economic relations in the second half of the 90s [Text]: Foreign trade, 2001, 27-33 pp.

5. Lopatnikov D.L. Economic geography and regional studies [Text]: Proc. Manual // Moscow, 2004, 224 pp.

6. Faminsky I.P. International economic relations [Text]: Textbook // Moscow, 2001, 847 P.

Posted on Allbest.ru

...

Physiographic location

The area of the Czech Republic is 78.9 thousand km 2, the state is located in the geographical center of Europe, this is clearly confirmed by the obelisk installed in Western Bohemia with the eloquent inscription “Center of Europe”. The country has an advantageous geographical location in terms of cooperation and trade relations with other European countries, however, the lack of access to the World Ocean (the territory of the Czech Republic is not washed by the seas) negatively affects the country's external relations.

The population of the Czech Republic as of 2015 is estimated at 10.5 million people, it is a densely populated country with an average density of 133 people per 1 km 2. About 90% of the population are ethnic Czechs, the rest are Moravians, Slovaks, Ukrainians, Poles, etc.

Nature

Mountains

The natural landscapes of the Czech Republic are diverse; most of the territory is represented by hills, plateaus and mountains of medium height. Depending on the geological structure, the Czech Republic is divided into two parts: the western and central part, called Bohemia, is located on the territory of the Czech Massif, consisting of alternating plateaus, hills and hilly plains (here, in the Sudeten Mountains, is the highest point of the Czech Republic - Mount Snezka, 1602 m), the eastern part (Moravia) is characterized by a predominance of hills and relatively high mountains, the Carpathians, there are few flat surfaces here (about 21%), located in the valleys of the Laba and Morava rivers.

The central part of the country is dominated by plains, on the borders of the state - mountain ranges, in the north-west - the Krušne Mountains, in the north - the Giant Mountains, in the east - the Orlicke Mountains, in the south-east the Carpathians, the south and south-west - the location of the Šumava Mountains, the west - Czech forest...

Rivers and lakes

The Czech Republic has a dense and extensive river network, the main river routes are: the Laba (Elbe) River, the Vltava, the Morava, tributaries of the Danube and Odra, the rivers belong to the basins of three seas - the Black, Northern and Baltic. For navigation, the riverbeds of the Laba and Vltava rivers are used, up to the location of Prague. In the Czech Republic there are a large number of ponds and reservoirs with dams that provide drinking water and electricity...

Forests

In terms of forest cover, the Czech Republic occupies one of the leading places in Europe, forests occupy 30% of its territory. The spruce and pine trees that grow here in large quantities are of great industrial importance; alpine meadows stretch in the mountains above the boundaries of forest vegetation...

Plants and animals

One third of the entire territory of the country is covered with coniferous forests; in the mountainous areas, pine and spruce trees often grow, with lower oaks, maples and ash trees. The fauna is not rich and diverse; the Carpathian Mountains are inhabited by wolves, brown bears, wild boars, foxes, chamois, deer, beavers, pheasants, and hares. There are more than a thousand state reserves, several national parks in the country, many Czech regions are distinguished by increased ecological cleanliness, which makes them especially attractive for tourists and vacationers...

Climate of the Czech Republic

The territory of the Czech Republic is located in favorable, mild conditions of a temperate climate, which has features of both continental and maritime types. Winter here is mostly cloudy and humid, with relatively low temperatures (average t° in January -2, -3 °C) and sometimes a complete absence of snow cover. In the mountains, on the contrary, a sufficient amount of snow falls, which contributes to the development of mountain tourism in winter. In July, the temperature reaches an average of +17.+18 °C; in the summer, more than 40% of the total annual precipitation falls, from 500 mm on the plains to 1500 mm in the mountains. Spring begins early, around the end of February, and autumn in October...

Resources

Natural resources

The Czech Republic is rich in such minerals as hard and brown coal (Osravsko-Karvinsky, Mostetsky, Sokolovsky basins). There are also small reserves of uranium ores, natural gas and oil. Deposits of ferrous and non-ferrous metal ores are insignificant and are in an extremely depleted state; non-metallic minerals mined in the Czech Republic include graphite, kaolin, magnesite, quartz sand...

Industry and Agriculture

The successful and stable Czech economic system is one of the most developed among the former communist states. The Czech Republic belongs to the type of developed industrial European countries, its main industries are the fuel and energy complex, ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemical, light and food industries; the service sector and tourism business are at a high level. The share of agriculture (growing sugar beets, wheat and potatoes, meat and dairy cattle breeding, poultry farming) and extractive industries in the country's economy is steadily decreasing every year...

Culture

Peoples of the Czech Republic

The culture of the Czech people originated in the Stone Age and has a rich cultural and historical heritage, which, despite all the difficulties and upheavals for many centuries, managed to preserve its identity and uniqueness...

The first thing that catches your eye upon arrival in this country is its magnificent architectural monuments: palace complexes, ancient castles, cathedrals, fortresses and other buildings of various historical eras, from Romanesque, Baroque and gloomy medieval Gothic to modern architectural forms (for example , the famous "dancing house" in Prague).

The Czech Republic is famous for its outstanding composers Antonin Dvorak and Berdzich Smetana, the founder of Czech poetry Karel Mach, as well as another famous Karel in the field of fantasy and classical Czech prose of the 20th century - Capek.

Czechs are very calm and good-natured people, distinguished by hospitality and respect for traditional family values, at the same time they do not like to show off their feelings and are extremely conservative in their views.

An interesting fact - the Czech Republic ranks first in the world in beer consumption, which is the national drink here and is appropriate to drink in the morning. Not a single Czech holiday is complete without it, the most important of which are: New Year (January 1 - Renewal Day), Easter Monday (April 24), Labor Day - May 1, Saints Cyril and Methodius Day, John Hus Day - July 6, Independence Day - July 28, Christmas Eve - December 24, Christmas Day - December 25, 26.

resort natural condition Czech Republic

This allowed the country, even before the Second World War, to firmly enter the top ten industrialized countries of the world and achieve a fairly high standard of living of the population.

The Czech Republic is located on the Bohemian Plateau, which stretches across the entire country from west to east. The western part of the country is framed on three sides by the ridges of mountains bordering the Bohemian Massif. The Beskydy mountain group is located in Northern Moravia. The picturesque, not autumn-high Bohemian-Moravian Highlands separates the Czech Republic from Moravia.

The Czech Massif is a heavily destroyed medium-altitude mountain range, composed mainly of hard crystalline rocks. Their elevated edges, almost coinciding with the state border of the country, only in some places exceed 1000 meters: in the northeast there are the Jizera Mountains and the Giant Mountains, in the northwest there are the Ore Mountains, in the southwest there are the Czech Forest and Šumava. In the east and southeast, the Bohemian massif is limited by the low (up to 800 meters) hilly Bohemian-Moravian Upland, characterized by fertile soils.

Jizera Mountains

Jizera Mountains is a vast mountain range up to 1100 meters high. Large tall forests, crystal clear streams with sandy bottoms, peat bogs with small lakes and an abundance of game - all this is typical of the region described.

In southern Bohemia lies Šumava - a wide belt of low mountains with picturesque glacial lakes. The mountains are mainly composed of gneisses and granites. There are many peat bogs in the valleys, where numerous streams and rivers originate, in particular the Vltava River. The forests covering the slopes of Šumava are dominated by spruce and fir. They are rich in animals, game and forest berries, in particular blueberries and strawberries, which are even exported. In mountainous regions, one of the main occupations of the population has long been logging and rafting. On the basis of significant timber reserves, a wood processing industry has developed in Šumava, as well as large paper production.

The Czech Republic is a country located inside the European continent. This economic and geographical position of the state, on the one hand, provides many advantages for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation with neighboring countries, but on the other hand, it also has negative consequences, since the country is cut off from the world ocean and has no access to any of the seas.

Until 1993, when Czechoslovakia was divided into two sovereign states, the country's policies and its economic potential were aimed at strengthening the socialist camp. The main partners of the Czech Republic were the socialist countries of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the socialist camp, the Czech government took a new political course and placed its main emphasis on the development of bilateral relations with the countries of Western Europe and on attracting foreign investment into the country into the Czech economy (mainly Germany, France and Italy). The Czech Republic is a member of many international organizations - the United Nations (UN), the European Council (EC), NATO.

The Czech Republic is a country of diverse and picturesque landscapes. The plains here are interspersed with hills, open spaces with forests, the whole country seems to be woven with countless threads of rivers and streams. The outlying mountain ranges of the western part of the country attract with their wild beauty.

The Czech Republic has good natural conditions and natural resources both for the development of agriculture and industry, and for the development of tourism.

The climate of the Czech Republic is determined by the geographical location of the country and is formed mainly under the influence of air masses moving from the Atlantic Ocean. The climate of the Czech Republic is generally moderate continental, with clearly defined seasons. Due to the predominance of mountainous and hilly terrain, local air circulation is of great importance. The relief here affects the temperature regime and the spatial distribution of precipitation. Since the Czech Republic is elongated in latitude, the climatic differences in its individual regions are determined by the difference not between north and south, but between west and east.

The average annual temperature is plus 8-10 C. For most of the territory, a non-cold winter is typical with average temperatures of the coldest month (January) from -2 o C to -4 o C. Occasionally in winter the average daily air temperature drops to -20 o C, which is due with intrusions of cold arctic air. Thaws are frequent, especially in the west of the country. The range of temperature differences in summer is greater, since continentality, which increases in an easterly direction, has a stronger effect; the average temperature in July is about +19 o C. In the mountains, summer is cooler - +8 o -13 o C. Mild, pleasant weather occurs in the spring, from the second half of May , and in the fall, until mid-October.

The amount of precipitation in different regions of the Czech Republic ranges from 450 to 2000 mm per year. The predominant part of the republic's territory receives 600-800 mm of precipitation per year, i.e. their total quantity is quite sufficient for agricultural needs. About 20% of it falls as snow. The greatest amount of precipitation is typical for the windward slopes of high mountains. There are very few dry areas in the country. Large forested areas, meadows, and numerous reservoirs and ponds help retain moisture in the soil. The seasonal distribution of precipitation is of decisive importance. The presence of a summer maximum (about 40% of all precipitation for June-August) is a favorable factor for agriculture.

The soil

On the territory of the Czech Republic there are two relatively significant areas of chernozem soils in the central regions of the country and in Central Moravia. They are widely used for crops of sugar beets, winter wheat and barley. The bulk of the country's grain crops are concentrated on brown soils. Podzolic soils are used mainly for crops of oats, rye and potatoes, but the majority of them are occupied by forest vegetation.

Vegetable world

The Czech Republic is one of the most forested countries in Europe. About 60% of the total forest area is occupied by coniferous trees, one fifth is deciduous and mixed forests. Coniferous forests consist mainly of pine and spruce, while deciduous forests consist mainly of beech and oak. Based on significant timber reserves, the country has developed a wood processing industry, as well as large pulp and paper production. The forests of the Czech Republic are rich in animals, game, mushrooms and berries.

Animal world

The fauna of the Czech Republic is relatively poor. The forests are home to foxes, squirrels, deer, brown bears, and you can also find beavers, pheasants and hares. There are many nature reserves in the Czech Republic - they occupy about 12% of the country's territory, 3 national parks have been created.

Minerals

The forest is not the only natural wealth of the Czech Republic. Among natural resources, fuel resources and, above all, hard and brown coals are of greatest importance for the national economy. Total reserves of hard coal are estimated at 13 billion tons. The main and largest production area is the Ostrava-Karvina basin. There are also coal deposits near the cities of Kladno, Pilsen and Brno. The Ostrava-Karvina basin is sharply superior to the rest in terms of coal quality: coking coals account for about 70% of the reserves there, and there is little sulfur in them, which is very important for the quality of metallurgical coke.

Brown coal reserves are also quite large. The largest brown coal basin in the country is the North Bohemian, which accounts for about two-thirds of the total reserves. The Czech Republic is dominated by deposits with a high spatial concentration of reserves, most of which can be developed using cheaper open-pit methods.

The resources of metal ores are insignificant, and the best deposits are significantly depleted. Low-grade phosphorous iron ores with a metal content of less than 30% predominate.

The largest deposits of non-ferrous and rare metals are in the Ore Mountains. The Czech Republic is very rich in non-metallic minerals: magnesite, graphite and especially kaolin, which occur in the area of Karlovy Vary and Pilsen.

The country abounds in mineral water springs with remarkable healing properties, in the areas of which world-famous resorts arose: Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, Frantiskovy Lazne.

Rivers, lakes of the Czech Republic

The largest rivers in the Czech Republic are the Vltava and Laba, which carry their waters to the North Sea. The position of the Czech Republic on the main European watershed of the northern and southern seas and the shallow depth of the country's territory determined the short length of the Czech rivers and the insufficient amount of water in them. The economic importance of Czech rivers is sharply declining due to the fact that their already small water flows are subject to very strong annual and seasonal fluctuations, which leads to the emergence of an acute problem of water supply in several areas of the country in the fall. This is why regulating river flows is so important, not only for water supply needs, but also for shipping and electricity production.

The Czech Republic is famous for its artificial fish ponds, many of which were created back in the 15th-16th centuries. In Southern Bohemia alone there are about 5 thousand ponds, the area of which is approximately 20 thousand hectares.

There are not many countries in the world in which, like the Czech Republic, there are picturesque mountains, and charming valleys sandwiched between them, and dense forests, and gurgling mud hills, in small craters of which healing water boils.

Let's stop at some of the world's most famous resorts in the Czech Republic.