Official Name: Czech republic
Capital: Prague
Total area: 78 866 km2
GDP per capita: $27,190
Native Language: Slovak, German, Polish
Government: Parliamentary republic
Population: 10,513,209
Major Religion: Irreligion, Roman Catholicism
Monetary Unit: Czech koruna (CZK)

The Czech Republic became an independent state in January 1993 after Czechoslovakia was split into its two constituent parts. Before World War II, Czechoslovakia was one of the 10 most industrialized countries in the world and the only Central European country to remain a democracy until 1938.

The Czech capital Prague is more than 1,000 years old and has a wealth of historical architecture of different styles. Because of this, the city has become a preferred location for many international filmmakers.

Manufacturing remains an important economic activity, particularly the manufacture of automobiles, machine tools, and engineered products. Iron and steel industries are important in Moravia in the east of the country. The main crops are corn, sugar beets, potatoes, wheat, barley and rye.

Hills and mountains cover about 95% of the country - ideal for skiing, mountain biking and hill walking. Wild boars and foxes can be found in the lush forests.

The Czech Republic produces world-famous beers, including Pilsner. Wine is produced in the southern regions of Moravia and part of Bohemia. A record 900 natural springs have also ensured that the country produces abundant mineral water. Traditional dishes include 'knedlíky', a type of dumpling made from potatoes or bread.

Famous Czechs include the Art Nouveau artist Alfons Mucha, the composers Antonin Dvorák and Bedrich Smetana, the marathon runner Emil Zátopek, and the writers Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera.

Health & Wellbeing
Combination of universal social system and privatization.

Economy & Jobs
Jobs in agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism.

Main attraction
Prague, Karlovy Vary Spa, Křivoklat Castle and Moravian Karst Hills.

Business
The Czech Republic has a developed, high-income economy with a per capita GDP of 80% of the EU average. As one of the most stable and prosperous post-communist countries, the Czech Republic recorded annual growth of over 6% in the three years before the onset of the recent global economic crisis. Growth was led by exports to the European Union, particularly Germany, and foreign investment, while domestic demand picked up.

Most of the economy was privatized, including banking and telecommunications. The current center-right government plans to continue privatization, including in the energy sector and Prague Airport. The sale of a 7% stake in the energy producer CEZ Group was recently approved, and the sale of the Budějovický Budvar brewery is also being discussed. A 2009 poll conducted in cooperation with the Czech Business Union found that a majority of Czech economists favor continued liberalization in most economic sectors.