Czech Republic

Czech Republic is a country in Central Europe bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest. Capital and largest city is Prague with a population of more than 1.2 million inhabitants. The Czech Republic has a continental climate, with relatively hot summers and cold, cloudy and snowy winters. Since the fall of Iron Curtain in 1989, Prague has become one of the most visited cities in Europe. Prague is the primary tourist attraction but the spa towns such as Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně, are particularly popular holiday destinations. Other popular tourist sites are the many castles and chateaux, such as those at Karlštejn Castle, Český Krumlov and the Lednice–Valtice area. Theatre of the Czech Republic has rich tradition with roots in the Middle Ages. The two leading sports in the Czech Republic are football and ice hockey, both drawing the largest attention of both the media and supporters. The Czech Republic is a member of the European Union since 2004 and is a part of the Schengen Area and the EU single market.