General Information about the Czech Republic ****************************************************************************************** * ****************************************************************************************** The Czech Republic is a land-locked country located in central Europe. Statehood: 1 January 1993 (upon separation of Czechoslovakia into two independent countrie Republic and Slovakia) Capital: Prague Area: 78,867 km2 Official language: Czech Population: 10.6 million Currency: Czech crown (CZK – koruna) Exchange rate: EUR 1 = approximately CZK 26 Religion: 59% no religious affiliation, 27% Roman Catholic Form of government: Democratic parliamentary republic Time zone: Central European (GMT +1) Climate: Mild with typical change of the four season. Average temperature in summer 19°C, Member State of the European Union and member of NATO ****************************************************************************************** * Public holidays ****************************************************************************************** 1 January New Year’s Day Between 20 March and 23 April Good Friday Between 23 March and 26 April Easter Monday 1 May Labour Day 8 May Day of Liberation from Fascism 5 July Saints Cyril and Methodius Day 6 July Jan Hus Day 28 September Czech Statehood Day 28 October Czechoslovak Independence Day 17 November Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy 24 December Christmas Eve 25 December Christmas Day 26 December St. Stephen’s Day