44 Facts About Czech Republic That Are Fun

Last updated on October 19th, 2022

Czech Republic, officially the Czech Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It has a total area of 78,867 square km. Prague is its capital and largest city. Czech is the official language of Czech Republic. Czech koruna (CZK) is its official currency. Its land bordering countries are Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Austria.

The beautiful Czech Republic is a land of castles and mountains, history and charm. This nation state in Central Europe is also known by the short name of Czechia since September of 2016, and is a popular destination for tourists from not only all over Europe but the whole world. Read on to discover 44 facts about Czech Republic and some of the things there are to see and do on a visit there.

Facts about the culture of Czech Republic

1. Due to its lack of international and domestic conflict as well as its low crime rate, the Global Peace Index in 2016 ranks the Czech Republic as the sixth safest place to live on earth.

2. The language has a formal and an informal form, and the natives are patient with foreigners who use them inappropriately. They are proud of their Czech language, which the U. S. Foreign Institute ranks as the second most difficult language to learn. They revel in their ability to master it.

Charlie Chaplin puppets.
Charlie Chaplin puppets.

3. Puppetry and marionette exhibitions are very popular for both children and adults and puppetry festivals are held throughout the country each year. The puppet museum in Prague hosts shows daily and has the largest collection in the world.

4. The Czech Republic is known worldwide for its mouth-blown decorated art glass and crystal, all individually made.

5. The Czech people have the highest beer consumption per capita in the world. Its first known brewery existed in 993. Pilsners were originated here as did the first ever blond pilsners. There are several beer festivals hosted annually.

6. The Jewish population of Bohemia and Moravia was virtually annihilated during the Holocaust by the Nazis. In 1930 there were 118,000 Jews according to the census and the 2005 census lists only 4000.

Flag of Czechia

Czechia Flag
The national flag of Czechia. Image credit – CIA

7. The Czech Republic ranks as one of the least religious populations in the world, with only 19 percent of them claiming to believe in God.

Gathering Wild Mushrooms.Gathering Wild Mushrooms.
Gathering Wild Mushrooms.

8. Mushroom hunting is a favorite pastime of the Czech people. In the autumn it is a national passion in the damp forests. They gather yearly at St. Václav Day in September and the hunts can be quite competitive.

Czech Republic – Tourism facts

9. The Czech Republic is a true paradise for people who love parks and gardens. It has 25 protected landscaped areas and four national parks in addition to broadleaf and conifer forests, rivers and mountains.

10. Tourism is a big business in the Czech Republic. It has an impressive architectural heritage with 12 UNESCO monuments and many centuries’ worth of monuments, buildings, towers, bridges, and castles to visit and admire.

11. Prague has been known as the “handsomest city of Europe” since the 18th century. Prague Castle is the largest in Europe with more than 700 hundred rooms. The pedestrian Charles Bridge over the Vitava River fills with painters, vendors, musicians and tourists every summer.

The Prague Castle.
The Prague Castle. Shot taken from Petrin Tower. Image credit – Cristian N. Mormoloc

12. Known as the castle capital of the world, the republic has over 2000 castles, ruins and keeps for visitors to tour and enjoy. The St. Vitrus Cathedral at Prague Castle is home of the Czech crown jewels and the burial place of Czech kings.

13. The Old Town Square is home of the Astronomical Clock, the annual Christmas market, cafes, street entertainers, the Old Town Hall from 1338 and baroque era buildings (See below.)

A view of Prague's Old Town Square.
A view of Prague’s Old Town Square. Image credit – Tony Hisgett

14. The spa towns of Karlovy Vary, Mariańské Láznĕ, Františkovy Láznĕ, and Jáchymov offer oases of comfort and relaxation for those who want a stress-free holiday.

15. For the youngsters, the Czech Aquapalace Praha is the biggest water park in Central Europe.

The People, Food and Economy of Czech Republic

16. Some Czechs who are internationally renowned in their fields of endeavor include Gregor Mendel (science of genetics), Alphonse Mucha (visual arts), Franz Kafka (literary arts), plus Martina Navratilova and Ivan Lendl (Sports-tennis).

Martina Navratilova in U.S. Open Champions Invitational
Martina Navratilova in U.S. Open Champions Invitational Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013. Image credit – robbiesaurus

17. Inventors have abounded throughout the history of the Czech people, and Czechs have invented the first grounded lightning rod, the screw propeller, the modern compass, sugar cubes, photogravure, the arc lamp, the plastic explosive Semtex, and soft contact lenses, among other things.

Surgeon drawing marks on male face.
Surgeon drawing marks on male face.

18. Czech citizens Frantĭsek Burian and Arnold Jirásek founded the first plastic surgery in 1927.

19. The Czech economy gains a substantial income from their tourism industry.

20. The Czech Republic has an advanced, high-income economy and a high standard of living. In fact, it is the most stable and prosperous of the post-communist states, with the lowest unemployment rate in the European Union.

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