NATIONAL SYMBOLS

Basic information

The Czech Republic is situated approximately in the geographical center of Europe and has an area of 78,866 sq. km. It is a landlocked country 326 km from the Baltic and 322 km from the Adriatic. It shares borders with Germany (810 km), Poland (762 km), Austria (466 km) and Slovakia (265 km). The highest point of elevation is the peak of Mt. Snezka (1,602 m above sea level) and the lowest point of elevation is near Hřensko where the River Labe leaves Czech territory (117 m above sea level)

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National Flag		National Seal

Description of the National Flag

The symbol of the Czech state, a white-red-and-blue flag in a simple geometric pattern, was created in 1920, shortly after the founding of the first independent Czechoslovak state. The white, red, and blue colors are both symbolic and historic. White (or silver) is the traditional color of Bohemia and represents the sky. Moravia is symbolized by the color red which also represents the blood shed for the freedom of the state. Blue is the traditional colour of Slovakia. It is also symbolic of impartiality and sovereignty. When Czechoslovakia split into two independent states in January 1993, the Czech Republic kept this flag as its own. While the blue triangle no longer represents Slovakia, it does remain a symbol of impartiality and sovereignty.

Desription of the National Seal

The three original lands of the Czech Crown are represented on the national seal by three crests:
a lion with two tails representing Bohemia, a red-and-white chequered eagle representing Moravia and a black eagle bearing a silver crescent representing Silesia.

Facts and Data

National Anthem: Kde domov můj (Where is my Home)
Area: 78,886 sq.km
Capital: Prague (Praha) (Population: 1,213,800)
Length of state border: 2,303 km
Population: 10,304,302
Population density: 131 inhabitants/sq. km
Time zone: Central European Time (C.E.T.)
Political system: Parliamentary democracy
Currency: Koruna (Kc) - Czech crown (CZK) /1 USD = 40.2 CZK ..6 May, 2000/CNB