QUICK FACTS

HELLO! Good morning / Good afternoon

FIRST, I HAVE SOME QUICK FACTS I would like to talk about / I would like to
I WOULD LIKE TO Please, let me introduce myself.
ABOUT THE CZECH REPUBLIC. give you some quick facts / I prepared
INTRODUCE MYSELF. It is a relatively rich country with fairly wealthy / developed
My name is …..…., and I would let me present to you / allow me
high living standards located in Central
like to present to you a topic Europe. The capital city of the Czech
to present to you / I have chosen
called "the Czech Republic". Republic is Prague. It is a member of
(both) the European Union and NATO.

the
CZECH REPUBLIC
Plzeň, located in western Bohemia, is a
PAGE 03
SIZE & LOCATION much smaller but still very important city
The Czech Republic has a total area of known for its tradition of producing beer.
almost 79 000 square kilometres, which makes Brno and Olomouc are located in Moravia,
it similar in size to countries like and Ostrava is the center of Silesia.
Ireland or Austria. ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM IMPORTANT CITIES
It's surrounded by it's bordered THE CZECH REPUBLIC LIES IN Prague, the capital It is a political, economic, and Silesia, with
four neighbouring THREE MAIN REGIONS - BOHEMIA, and the largest city of educational center of the Czech many industrial
countries - Germany MORAVIA, AND PARTLY SILESIA. the Czech Republic with Republic and has a long history - cities, is a very
to the west, Austria to Officially, the Czech Republic comprises a population of about which is why it is a very popular a top-rated important
the south, Poland to of 14 regions, further divided into 76 districts. 1,3 million residents, is destination for (foreign) tourists. travellers mining center
the northeast, and The most populous of these 14 regions are located in Central Sometimes it's called the "heart of of the Czech
Slovakia to the southeast. Prague and the Central Bohemian Region. Bohemia. Europe". Republic.

PEOPLE CULTURE IMPORTANT PEOPLE

THE CZECH REPUBLIC HAS A POPULATION CZECH CULTURE IS A VERY is very hard GIVEN ITS SIZE, THE CZECH REPUBLIC Considering
OF ABOUT 10,5 MILLION. COMPLICATED TERM. to define IS QUITE WELL KNOWN IN THE WORLD,
Czechs are mostly nice and warm lovely Czech culture is different depending on MOSTLY THANKS TO ITS FAMOUS ATHLETES.
people who speak primarily Czech and predominantly what region you visit. Czechs generally you're in Some of the most famous Czech sportsmen were Emil
who mostly don't have any religious don't hold like to visit pubs to have one or two beers to go to Zátopek, a legendary long-distance runner, world-class
beliefs. That's why Czechs with friends or colleagues. However, in bigger football players like Josef Masopust, Antonín Panenka, Pavel
are known to be /
have been called one of the cities, pubs are often being replaced by cafés. Nedvěd, or Jaromír Jágr, one of the
are known as
most atheist nations in the world. Czechs also have a positive relationship with music. best ice-hockey players of all time. ever
In the past, there was a big German an important Even though most Czechs say they are But there are many other significant
minority. Now, the biggest ethnic atheists, plenty of them still celebrate a lot people from Czech history, including monarchs, kings
minorities in the Czech Republic living here public holidays of religious origin like
religious leaders, politicians, artists, and scientists.
are Gypsies, Slovaks, Ukrainians, St. Wenceslaus was the Duke of Bohemia in the 10th
Christmas and Easter. In western Bohemia, Moravia, and
and Russians. The Czech Republic is also home to one of the century. After his assassination, he became the patron of
Silesia, people still practice many traditions, including
largest Vietnamese communities in Europe. the Czech state.
wearing "kroj", singing traditional folk songs, playing folk
If there is anything special about the Czech people, it Charles IV. was the king of Bohemia and a Roman
music, and gathering to celebrate special days.
is probably their sense of humour and (general, overall) Emperor in the 14th century.
dissatisfaction with politics. disappointment
HISTORY His reign is remembered We remember his reign
THE HISTORY OF THE CZECH as a great rise of the Czech a significant / a remarkable
POLITICAL SYSTEM REPUBLIC IS ALSO Kingdom - sometimes called
THE CZECH REPUBLIC IS A VERY INTERESTING. fascinating the Golden Age of Bohemia. He built the Charles Bridge,
CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY... For most of the Middle Ages and the Karlštejn castle, and most importantly, the Charles
...which means (that) there is a parliament that consists of Early Modern Period, our country was under University in Prague.
two chambers. The Upper House is called the Senate and has the German and Austrian influence and Jan Hus was a Czech priest and a Christian reformist.
81 members. Members of the Senate are called Senators. The
never formed an independent state. Until He was burned to death in Constanz in 1415. After his death,
Lower House - the Chamber of Deputies - has 200 seats.
1918, when some legendary politicians statesmen / he became a martyr, and
Both chambers of the Czech Parliament are elected in including Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk political figures soon, his followers called after a few years
direct elections and have legislative power, which means and Edvard Beneš helped to found an Hussites started a movement an uprising / a rebellion
Senators, as well as Deputies, can make or change laws. independent Czechoslovakia. These two great men also against the Roman Catholic rulers.
became the first two Czechoslovak presidents. Václav Havel was a leading Czech anti-communist
The Government of the Czech Republic is a major
That changed after Nazi Germany invaded dissident and an internationally
executive political body that takes
Czechoslovakia in 1938, and during the Second World War, known playwright. Shortly after the author / writer
care of the everyday administration day-to-day agenda Czechoslovakia became The Protectorate of Bohemia and Velvet Revolution, he became the first
of the state. The head of the Moravia. After the Second World War and the German
Petr Fiala president of the independent Czech Republic. In this
Government is the Prime Minister, currently ……............. ................... occupation ended, President Beneš returned from exile,
Civil Democratic Party position, he served from 1993 to 2003. In 2011, he died at the
from the ………….......................................... but shortly after that, in 1948, there was a communist coup
The President of the Czech Republic is the head of state age of 75. He had a close relationship with many famous
which led to more than 40 years under the communist politicians around the world, including the Dalai Lama.
with an important role in Czech politics. His signature is
regime. During this period, socialist Czechoslovakia was
necessary to make laws come into force,
under the direct influence of the Soviet Union. INTERESTING PLACES
so he has significant political influence. he possesses big In 1968, during the Prague Spring, Czech communist NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND SOME OF MY
However, his role is still mostly primarily politicians planned some democratic reforms, but the FAVOURITE PLACES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC.
formal and his powers are (very) ceremonial Soviet Union decided to invade Czechoslovakia. 1989 was First, I would like
limited. He is elected every five years. minimal the year of the Velvet Revolution, in which the Communist to mention to talk about
Until 2012, he was elected by the regime ended and the democratic some of the
Parliament, but now, he's elected directly by the citizens. regime was formed. The independent government places in my hometown - in …......... in a town I like to go to
Miloš Zeman
Currently, the President of the Czech Republic is ……........ ….…....... Czech Republic was founded in 1993 after There is an interesting historical monument called
Most of these authorities, including the President, the the final separation from Slovakia. In 1999, the Czech …………………………… I would also recommend visiting ………………., which
Government, and the Czech Parliament are based in Prague. Republic joined NATO, and since 2004 the Czech Republic is is ……………………….. However, the place
ECONOMY also a member (state) of the European Union. with the most historical monuments landmarks
THE CZECH REPUBLIC IS A GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT is the capital city of Prague. The Prague
RELATIVELY RICH COUNTRY. wealthy GEOGRAPHICALLY, THE CZECH REPUBLIC IS A
city centre is full of popular places like Charles Bridge,
The Czech economy is based on services Vyšehrad Castle, Old Town Square, and especially Prague
COUNTRY LOCATED IN CENTRAL EUROPE.
and manufacturing and is closely and it Castle. One of its parts, St. Vitus Cathedral, is the traditional
It has a hilly landscape with mostly
connected to the German economy. depends on place of the coronation of Czech kings. The Guinness Book
low mountains such as the Krkonoše, mountain ranges
of Records recognises Prague
The largest Czech companies include car Jeseníky, Šumava, and Beskydy. The which was constructed
manufacturer Škoda Auto, and a utility company called ČEZ. peak Castle, which was built in
highest point in the Czech Republic is Sněžka, in / which dates back to
Even though the Czech Republic is a member of the EU, the 9th century, as the largest
which has around 1600 metres above sea level.
it uses its own currency - the Czech koruna. ancient castle in the world.
It is a landlocked country which means it doesn't have
However, Prague is usually
STATE SYMBOLS access to the sea. The longest rivers are
full of tourists, so it might be a good overcrowded
THE BEST-KNOWN STATE SYMBOL OF THE CZECH the Vltava, which flows through the capital city runs
idea to visit some smaller towns and
REPUBLIC IS THE CZECH NATIONAL FLAG. of Prague, and the Elbe, which is one of the
places outside the capital city. — I would recommend
It has three colours - white symbolizes major rivers in Central Europe and has
visiting Plzeň, known for its beer production, a wine region
the sky, red represents the blood spilled for huge importance in water transportation. big / massive
called Pálava, or a beautiful historical city of Kutná Hora
freedom, and blue is the colour of sovereignty. In the Czech Republic, we have many
with its main point of interest - St. Barbara's Cathedral.
The State Anthem of the Czech Republic is called "Where natural wonders, and we (try to) do our
is my home", or "Kde domov můj" in Czech, and was best to protect them. That's why to preserve
composed by Ladislav Škroup with lyrics by Josef Kajetán Tyl. there are many protected areas Thank you for
Czech state symbols also include the Large and Small HAVE A NICE DAY!
and (even) four national parks in the Czech Republic - the listening. It was nice
GOODBYE.
a pleasure
State Emblems, and the Banner of the President of the oldest one is Krkonoše National Park. talking to you.
Republic.
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