Looking to boost your knowledge of this majestic and eclectic country? Take a look at these fun facts about Czech Republic, also known as Czechia!
1. Czech Republic has lots of different neighbours.
Czech Republic is a wondrous landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the northeast and east, Slovakia to the southeast, Austria to the south and Germany to the west and northwest.
2. Czechia is easy to find.
To sip some delicious beer at the base of the stunning mountains, head for the coordinates of 49.7500° N, 15.7500° E to land yourself in Czech Republic!
3. It’s a very hilly country!
The terrain here is a delightful mix of rolling plains, hills and mountains – sublime!
4. It’s a fairly small plot of land.
The total land area of Czech Republic is 30,450 square miles (78,866 square kilometres)…that’s roughly the same size as Scotland.
5. However, it’s extremely dense!
Czech Republic’s population was 10.67 million in 2022…that’s roughly double the population of Scotland!
6. Get your tongue twisted around this!
Residents here are known as Czech, the plural for which is Czechs!
7. What’s the capital of Czech Republic?
The capital is Prague; an architecturally-rich city, it covers an area of 192 square miles (496 square kilometres) and had a population of 1,314,000 in 2015.
8. It’s pretty mild here.
Czechs enjoy a temperate climate with cool summers, followed by cold and cloudy winters.
9. It’s a country with a divided past.
Once a part of the former Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic and Slovakia became two separate countries in 1991.
10. Some of the world’s best-loved cars are Czech.
Despite being owned by the German Volkswagen-Audi Group, Skoda is based in Czech Republic. Interestingly, although it is owned by the large German group, Skoda is actually the oldest company of the four (including Seat) by quite some margin, having been established in 1895!
11. Czechia is known for its ancient fortresses.
Czech Republic boasts the largest ancient castle in the world! Built over 49 years and occupying an area of almost 70,000 square metres, Prague Castle is one of Czech Republic’s most beautiful and imposing buildings!
12. It’s very well-educated!
Charles University of Prague is one of the oldest universities in Europe, having been founded in 1348!
13. Go sightseeing in France… from Czech Republic?
Apparently, it is possible to see the Eiffel Tower from Prague on a clear day!
14. Grab the dictionary.
The official language of Czech Republic is Czech.
15. No Euros here!
Czech Koruna is the official currency here.
16. A long, happy life.
The average life span here is 77.37 years (2021).
17. It’s the beer-drinking capital of the world.
Czechs love beer! They each consume an average of 143 litres of beer per year, more than any other country in the world!
18. Contacts were a Czech invention.
Do you wear contact lenses? Well you’ve got Otto Wichterle, a Czech chemist to thank, as he invented them in 1959!
19. Strange counting habits!
Allegedly, Czechs use their toes to count if they run out of fingers!
20. Even stranger Christmas habits!
Looking forward to Christmas dinner? Well you’ll be in for a surprise! In Czech Republic it is traditional to purchase a live carp and allow it to swim around in your bath for 1-2 days, before it becomes part of the Christmas feast!
21. Here are some facts about Czechia’s industry and crops.
Czech Republic grows potatoes, wheat, hops and sugar beets; they also rear pigs.
Its industry consists of metallurgy, motor vehicles, machinery and equipment, armaments and glass.
The main exports consist of machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, raw materials, fuel and intermediate manufactures.
FAQs about Czech Republic
The country is still known as Czech Republic, but Czechia is the official ‘short name’ - you can use both.
Yes - Czech is the main language spoken here, but most people have rudimentary knowledge of English, too.
On the whole, Prague is fairly safe compared to other European capitals, with the biggest threats being pickpockets. Is Czech Republic known as Czechia now?
Do people speak English in Czech Republic?
Is Prague a safe city?
Do you know any fun facts about the Czech Republic? Share them in the comments below!