The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, is a country located in central Europe. It encompasses the historical regions of Bohemia and Moravia, along with the southern tip of Silesia, collectively referred to as the Czech Lands. In 2016, the country officially adopted the name “Czechia” as a shortened and informal alternative for the Czech Republic.
Despite being landlocked, Bohemia had brief access to the Baltic and Adriatic seacoasts during the Middle Ages, likely influencing William Shakespeare when he set much of his play “The Winter’s Tale” there. Bohemia is characterized by rolling hills and mountains and is dominated by its national capital, Prague. Positioned on the Vltava River, Prague is a picturesque city with bridges and spires shaped over generations by artists brought in by Bohemian rulers.
The Czech people, akin to the French focus on Paris, hold a special regard for Prague, often described as “the most handsome city of Europe” since the 18th century. The city has inspired writers, poets, and musicians, including notable figures like writer Franz Kafka and poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who were born in Prague.
In Moravia, the largest city, Brno, was the site of Gregor Mendel’s groundbreaking genetic experiments in the 19th century and the birthplace of contemporary novelist Milan Kundera. Moravians take pride in their vineyards and wine, while Bohemians are known for their breweries and the famous Pilsner beer originating from the town of Plzeň (Pilsen). Plzeň is also noted for the Škoda Works, a heavy industrial complex with roots in the Habsburg monarchy. Moravia, rich in skilled labor, played a significant role in making Brno one of the leading industrial towns in textiles and engineering during the 19th century. Ostrava, in the north, became a major coal-mining region, thanks to vast fossil fuel deposits extending from Silesia.
