Quick Facts About Czechia
- Official name: The Czech Republic
- Independence date: October 28, 1918 (Czechoslovakian Independence); December 31, 1992 (Dissolution of Czechoslovakia into Czechia and Slovakia)
- Member of the EU?: Yes
- Capital: Prague
- Currency: The Euro
- Power Adapter: Type C or Type F
- Population: 10.5 million (2024 est.)
- Yearly tourist visits: 40 million (2023 est.)
- Best known for: Castles, culture, beer, and Prague!
A very brief history of Czechia:
Much of Czechia today was encompassed by the Duchy of Bohemia, a political entity that emerged in the region in the 9th Century. From 1002 until 1806, the Duchy and eventual Kingdom of Bohemia was an imperial state of the Holy Roman Empire. When the Mongols reached Europe in the 13th Century, they raided Moravia but were defeated at Olomouc. Centuries later, after several dynasties had come and gone, the Habsburgs gained control of Bohemia in the late 16th Century. In 1806, with the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, Bohemia became part of the Austrian Empire. Bohemia would remain part of the Austrian Empire until the end of World War I in 1918 established the independent country of Czechoslovakia.
Only 20 years after independence, Czechoslovakia was occupied by Nazi Germany. Until 1945, the Czechs were under a brutal terror regime of either direct Nazi rule or a puppet state. After World War II, the Communist Party increasingly gained control and in 1948 staged a coup to align Czechoslovakia with the Soviet Union. Czechoslovakia remained under Soviet influence until 1989, when the Communist Party was overthrown in the Velvet Revolution. In 1968, Czechs rose up and demanded more freedom in what became known as the Prague Spring, one of the defining moments of the 20th Century in Central Europe. Unfortunately, the protesters were brutally suppressed and true freedom would not come for another almost 30 years.
With the decline of the Soviet Union, Czechs rose up peacefully again and rid themselves of Communist domination in November 1989. Czechoslovakia was again a liberal democracy, though it would only remain as such for 3 more years. On December 31, 1992, Czechoslovakia officially dissolved and Czechia became an independent country. Since then, Czechia has officially become part of the EU and NATO and has became a major hotbed for tourism.
Check out our itinerary of Prague, Salzburg, and Vienna for help planning your perfect vacation!
