Czech Republic, republic comprising the historical regions of Bohemia and Moravia and part of Silesia in central Europe, bounded on the north by Poland, on the east by Slovakia, on the south by Austria, and on the west and north by Germany. Formerly part of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia emerged as independent republics on January 1, 1993. The Czech Republic has an area of 78,864 sq km (30,450 sq mi). Prague (Czech Praha) is its capital and largest city.
Land and Resources.
The Czech Republic rests on elevated tablelands, known as the Bohemian Plateau, which stretch west to the German border and east to Slovakia. Mountains, including the Bohemian, Sudeten, and Carpathian ranges, rise along the plateau's edges, primarily to the north and east. The Bohemian Forest forms the southwest border with Germany. The central part of the plateau consists primarily of rolling hills, farmland, and fertile river beds. The republic's primary rivers include the Elbe, Vltava, Morava, and Oder. The country's highest point is Sn∞₧ka, which rises 1602 m (5256 ft) in the Sudeten Mountains. The lowest point is the Elbe, which at the border with Germany is 117 m (384 ft) above sea level.
Climate.
The interior plateau areas of the republic have a primarily continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. The mountainous areas endure harsher winters and receive heavy rainfall. The southern areas of the republic near the border with Austria have hot summers and milder winters. In Prague the average temperature range is -5░ to 0░ C (23░ to 31░ F) in January and 13░ to 23░ C (55░ to 73░ F) in July. In Brno the average range in January is -5░ to 1░ C (24░ to 34░ F) and in July 14░ to 25░ C (57░ to 77░ F). Precipitation is somewhat less than areas of western Europe, and much of it falls during summer in the form of thundershowers. Average annual precipitation is about 410 mm (about 16 in) in Prague and about 550 mm (about 22 in) in Brno.
Plants and Animals.
Spruce and fir trees are most common in the republic's forests, particularly at higher elevations, while mixed forests of oak, ash, and maple are characteristic in lower zones. The uncultivated lowlands are covered mostly with clover, reeds, and broom grass.
Wildlife is becoming scarce because of pollution and deforestation, but wolf, brown bear, wild boar, wildcat, white eagle, chamois, and fox are found in the mountainous Carpathian region.
Natural Resources.
Brown coal and lignite are the most common mineral resources of the Czech Republic. Much of it is used to generate electricity or in the country's metallurgical industry. Small amounts of hard coal are also present, as well as sizable deposits of uranium. Mercury, antimony, tin, lead, zinc, and iron ore are found in parts of the country.
The most fertile soil is found in the low plains and rolling hills of the Bohemian Basin in north central Bohemia, and in the Moravian Lowlands. About one-third of the country is forest, much of it on mountain slopes. Coniferous trees are the most abundant and are the primary source of lumber, although deciduous trees such as oak, beech, and birch are also found.
