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The '''Czech Republic''' is a country in central [[Europe]]. Its capital is [[Prague]].  It was formed in 1993 from the western part of [[Czechoslovakia]].

The '''Czech Republic''' is a country in central [[Europe]]. Its capital is [[Prague]].  It was formed in 1993 from the western part of [[Czechoslovakia]].

The Czech Republic is a member of [[NATO]], joining in 1999 and the [[European Union]], joining in 2004. It has become one of the most stable former [[communist]] economies of eastern Europe, because the economy removed price controls, sold many of the publicly owned companies and kept strict fiscal policies to limit deficits. <ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ez.html</ref>

The Czech Republic is a member of [[NATO]], joining in 1999 and the [[European Union]], joining in 2004. It has become one of the most stable former [[communist]] economies of eastern Europe, because the economy removed price controls, sold many of the publicly owned companies and kept strict fiscal policies to limit deficits.<ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ez.html</ref>

==People==

==People==

[[File:School children of the Czech Republic.jpg|left|270px]]

[[File:School children of the Czech Republic.jpg|left|270px]]

''See also: [[Atheist Czech Republic and drug abuse]]''

{{See also|Atheist Czech Republic and drug abuse}}

The majority of the 10.2 million inhabitants of the Czech Republic are ethnically and linguistically Czech (95%). Other ethnic groups include Germans, Roma, and Poles. After the 1993 division of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, some Slovaks remained in the Czech Republic and comprise roughly 3% of the current population. The border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia is open for citizens of the former Czechoslovakia. Laws establishing religious freedom were passed shortly after the revolution of 1989, lifting oppressive regulations enacted by the former communist regime. Major denominations and their estimated percentage populations are Roman Catholic (39%) and Protestant (3%). A large percentage of the Czech population claim to be atheists (40%), and 16% describe themselves as uncertain. The Jewish community numbers a few thousand today; a synagogue in Prague memorializes the names of more than 80,000 Czechoslovak Jews who perished in World War II.  

The majority of the 10.2 million inhabitants of the Czech Republic are ethnically and linguistically Czech (95%). Other ethnic groups include Germans, Roma, and Poles. After the 1993 division of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, some Slovaks remained in the Czech Republic and comprise roughly 3% of the current population. The border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia is open for citizens of the former Czechoslovakia. Laws establishing religious freedom were passed shortly after the revolution of 1989, lifting oppressive regulations enacted by the former communist regime. Major denominations and their estimated percentage populations are Roman Catholic (39%) and Protestant (3%). A large percentage of the Czech population claim to be atheists (40%), and 16% describe themselves as uncertain. The Jewish community numbers a few thousand today; a synagogue in Prague memorializes the names of more than 80,000 Czechoslovak Jews who perished in World War II.  

*Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant.  

*Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant.  

*Language: Czech.  

*Language: Czech.  

*Education: Literacy--99.8%.  

*Education: Literacy—99.8%.  

*Health: Life expectancy--males 72.3 yrs., females 78.5 yrs.  

*Health: Life expectancy—males 72.3 yrs., females 78.5 yrs.  

*Work force (5.17 million): Industry, construction, and commerce--40%; government and other services--56%; agriculture--4%.

*Work force (5.17 million): Industry, construction, and commerce—40%; government and other services—56%; agriculture—4%.

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==

Vaclav Klaus was from 2003 to 2013 the President of the Czech Republic . He was elected on February 28, 2003 and sworn into office on March 7, 2003. As formal head of state, the president is granted specific powers such as the right to nominate Constitutional Court judges, dissolve parliament under certain conditions, and enact a veto on legislation. Presidents are elected by the parliament for 5-year terms.  

Vaclav Klaus was from 2003 to 2013 the President of the Czech Republic . He was elected on February 28, 2003 and sworn into office on March 7, 2003. As formal head of state, the president is granted specific powers such as the right to nominate Constitutional Court judges, dissolve parliament under certain conditions, and enact a veto on legislation. Presidents are elected by the parliament for 5-year terms.  

The legislature is bicameral, with a Chamber of Deputies (200 seats) and a Senate (81 seats). With the split of the former Czechoslovakia, the powers and responsibilities of the now-defunct federal parliament were transferred to the Czech National Council, which renamed itself the Chamber of Deputies. Chamber delegates are elected from 14 regions--including the capital, Prague--for 4-year terms, on the basis of proportional representation. The Czech Senate is patterned after the U.S. Senate and was first elected in 1996; its members serve for 6-year terms with one-third being elected every 2 years.  

The legislature is bicameral, with a Chamber of Deputies (200 seats) and a Senate (81 seats). With the split of the former Czechoslovakia, the powers and responsibilities of the now-defunct federal parliament were transferred to the Czech National Council, which renamed itself the Chamber of Deputies. Chamber delegates are elected from 14 regions—including the capital, Prague—for 4-year terms, on the basis of proportional representation. The Czech Senate is patterned after the U.S. Senate and was first elected in 1996; its members serve for 6-year terms with one-third being elected every 2 years.  

The country's highest court of appeal is the Supreme Court. The Constitutional Court, which rules on constitutional issues, is appointed by the president. Its members serve 10-year terms.  

The country's highest court of appeal is the Supreme Court. The Constitutional Court, which rules on constitutional issues, is appointed by the president. Its members serve 10-year terms.  

The June 2-3, 2006 general election resulted in the Chamber of Deputies' 200 seats being evenly divided 100-100 between three center-right parties and two parties on the left, with neither side able to form a majority government. The impasse led to months of protracted negotiations during which Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek formed a three-party coalition with the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) and the Greens (SZ). The coalition lost its first vote of confidence 96-99 on October 4, 2006. But some seven months after the election, on January 19, 2007, the coalition succeeded in its second attempt when two renegade parliamentarians from the opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) abstained.

The June 2–3, 2006 general election resulted in the Chamber of Deputies' 200 seats being evenly divided 100-100 between three center-right parties and two parties on the left, with neither side able to form a majority government. The impasse led to months of protracted negotiations during which Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek formed a three-party coalition with the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) and the Greens (SZ). The coalition lost its first vote of confidence 96-99 on October 4, 2006. But some seven months after the election, on January 19, 2007, the coalition succeeded in its second attempt when two renegade parliamentarians from the opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) abstained.

When the [[Berlin Wall]] fell in 1989 it meant that the Soviet Union was no longer in charge. The Communist satellite dictatorships of eastern Europe all fell in a matter of weeks--and Russia's collapsed in 1991. All the Communist parties of eastern Europe transformed themselves after 1989 into more mainstream center-left parties. One exception was in the Czech Republic where the Communist Party refused to undertake a comprehensive overhaul. It gained nearly 13% of the vote in the last parliamentary elections in 2006. Its supporters are mostly those fed up with politics as usual and regime nostalgics, many of them elderly pensioners, for whom life before 1989 seemed better than it does today.

When the [[Berlin Wall]] fell in 1989 it meant that the Soviet Union was no longer in charge. The Communist satellite dictatorships of eastern Europe all fell in a matter of weeks—and Russia's collapsed in 1991. All the Communist parties of eastern Europe transformed themselves after 1989 into more mainstream center-left parties. One exception was in the Czech Republic where the Communist Party refused to undertake a comprehensive overhaul. It gained nearly 13% of the vote in the last parliamentary elections in 2006. Its supporters are mostly those fed up with politics as usual and regime nostalgics, many of them elderly pensioners, for whom life before 1989 seemed better than it does today.

From 2003 to 2013 [[Vaclav Klaus]] was President of the Czech Republic. He knows that belief in "[[global warming]]" is a threat to [[freedom]], [[democracy]], the [[market economy]] and [[prosperity]].<ref>http://www.ft.com/cms/s/e9df7200-19c7-11dc-99c5-000b5df10621.html</ref>

From 2003 to 2013 [[Vaclav Klaus]] was President of the Czech Republic. He knows that belief in "[[global warming]]" is a threat to [[freedom]], [[democracy]], the [[market economy]] and [[prosperity]].<ref>http://www.ft.com/cms/s/e9df7200-19c7-11dc-99c5-000b5df10621.html</ref>

===Principal Government Officials===

===Principal Government Officials===

*President--Miloš Zeman

*President—Miloš Zeman

*Prime Minister--Bohuslav Sobotka

*Prime Minister—Bohuslav Sobotka

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

*Per capital income: $13,710.  

*Per capital income: $13,710.  

*Natural resources: Coal, coke, timber, lignite, uranium, magnesite.  

*Natural resources: Coal, coke, timber, lignite, uranium, magnesite.  

*Agriculture: Products--wheat, rye, oats, corn, barley, hops, potatoes, sugar beets, hogs, cattle, horses.  

*Agriculture: Products—wheat, rye, oats, corn, barley, hops, potatoes, sugar beets, hogs, cattle, horses.  

*Industry: Types--motor vehicles, machinery and equipment, iron, steel, cement, sheet glass, armaments, chemicals, ceramics, wood, paper products, and footwear.  

*Industry: Types—motor vehicles, machinery and equipment, iron, steel, cement, sheet glass, armaments, chemicals, ceramics, wood, paper products, and footwear.  

*Trade (2006): Exports--$94.8 billion (est.): motor vehicles, machinery, iron, steel, chemicals, raw materials, consumer goods. Imports--$92.9 billion (est.). Trading partners--Germany (32%), Slovakia, Poland, France, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, U.K., China, United States.  

*Trade (2006): Exports--$94.8 billion (est.): motor vehicles, machinery, iron, steel, chemicals, raw materials, consumer goods. Imports--$92.9 billion (est.). Trading partners—Germany (32%), Slovakia, Poland, France, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, U.K., China, United States.  

Hope for wide-ranging economic reform came with Alexander Dubcek's rise in January 1968. Despite renewed efforts, however, Czechoslovakia could not come to grips with inflationary forces, much less begin the immense task of correcting the economy's basic problems.  

Hope for wide-ranging economic reform came with Alexander Dubcek's rise in January 1968. Despite renewed efforts, however, Czechoslovakia could not come to grips with inflationary forces, much less begin the immense task of correcting the economy's basic problems.  

After extensive purges modeled on the Stalinist pattern in other east European states, the Communist Party tried 14 of its former leaders in November 1952 and sentenced 11 to death. For more than a decade thereafter, the Czechoslovak communist political structure was characterized by the orthodoxy of the leadership of party chief Antonin Novotny.  

After extensive purges modeled on the Stalinist pattern in other east European states, the Communist Party tried 14 of its former leaders in November 1952 and sentenced 11 to death. For more than a decade thereafter, the Czechoslovak communist political structure was characterized by the orthodoxy of the leadership of party chief Antonin Novotny.  

====The 1968 Soviet Invasion====  

====The 1968 Soviet Invasion====

The communist leadership allowed token reforms in the early 1960s, but discontent arose within the ranks of the Communist Party central committee, stemming from dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the economic reforms, resistance to cultural liberalization, and the desire of the Slovaks within the leadership for greater autonomy for their republic. This discontent expressed itself with the removal of Novotny from party leadership in January 1968 and from the presidency in March. He was replaced as party leader by a Slovak, Alexander Dubcek.  

The communist leadership allowed token reforms in the early 1960s, but discontent arose within the ranks of the Communist Party central committee, stemming from dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the economic reforms, resistance to cultural liberalization, and the desire of the Slovaks within the leadership for greater autonomy for their republic. This discontent expressed itself with the removal of Novotny from party leadership in January 1968 and from the presidency in March. He was replaced as party leader by a Slovak, Alexander Dubcek.  

A coalition government, in which the Communist Party had a minority of ministerial positions, was formed in December 1989. The first free elections in Czechoslovakia since 1946 took place in June 1990 without incident and with more than 95% of the population voting. As anticipated, Civic Forum and Public Against Violence won landslide victories in their respective republics and gained a comfortable majority in the federal parliament. The parliament undertook substantial steps toward securing the democratic evolution of Czechoslovakia. It successfully moved toward fair local elections in November 1990, ensuring fundamental change at the county and town level.  

A coalition government, in which the Communist Party had a minority of ministerial positions, was formed in December 1989. The first free elections in Czechoslovakia since 1946 took place in June 1990 without incident and with more than 95% of the population voting. As anticipated, Civic Forum and Public Against Violence won landslide victories in their respective republics and gained a comfortable majority in the federal parliament. The parliament undertook substantial steps toward securing the democratic evolution of Czechoslovakia. It successfully moved toward fair local elections in November 1990, ensuring fundamental change at the county and town level.  

Civic Forum found, however, that although it had successfully completed its primary objective--the overthrow of the communist regime--it was ineffectual as a governing party. The demise of Civic Forum was viewed by most as necessary and inevitable.  

Civic Forum found, however, that although it had successfully completed its primary objective—the overthrow of the communist regime—it was ineffectual as a governing party. The demise of Civic Forum was viewed by most as necessary and inevitable.  

By the end of 1990, unofficial parliamentary "clubs" had evolved with distinct political agendas. Most influential was the Civic Democratic Party, headed by Vaclav Klaus, who later became Prime Minister. Other notable parties that came to the fore after the split were the Czech Social Democratic Party, Civic Movement, and Civic Democratic Alliance.  

By the end of 1990, unofficial parliamentary "clubs" had evolved with distinct political agendas. Most influential was the Civic Democratic Party, headed by Vaclav Klaus, who later became Prime Minister. Other notable parties that came to the fore after the split were the Czech Social Democratic Party, Civic Movement, and Civic Democratic Alliance.  

[[Category:Landlocked Countries]]

[[Category:Landlocked Countries]]

[[Category:European History]]

[[Category:European History]]

[[category:Central Europe]]

[[Category:Central Europe]]