General Information

Location

Prague is the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic, almost at the geographical centre of Europe. It is sited on the Vltava River in an area known as Central Bohemia, named by the Celtic Boii tribe who are the first known inhabitants of the region.
Population
The population of Prague currently stands at around 1.2 million people, with a significant increase in the summer months caused by tourism. People from many different cultures and backgrounds can be found living in Prague with a diverse mix of Eastern and Western European backgrounds.

History

Prague has long been an important and highly regarded city in Europe, and has twice been capital of the Holy Roman Empire, first starting in 1346, and secondly starting in 1883.
It was the centre of the Hapsburg Empire, and subsequently became the strongest economic part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the 19th Century.
Prague developed as an important centre where Czech, German and Jewish cultures intermingled and flourished.
In 1918, after the First World War, Czechoslovakia was created and Prague became the capital.
In 1968, armed forces of the member states of the Warsaw Pact occupied Prague.
In 1989, a student demonstration in Prague was viciously stifled by the communist riot police. This led to the start of the Velvet Revolution, which, in a matter of weeks, led to the peaceful fall of the communist regime.
In 1993, Prague became the capital of the Czech Republic when Czechoslovakia split, the other nation being Slovakia.

Transport

Prague is served Internationally by one Airport, two major Bus stations, and two Major Train stations.
Prague has an excellent and affordable Public Transport system. Tramways, Bus routes and three Metro lines combine to serve the whole city. Learning the transport system is highly recommended as the best, and very often quickest, way to get around Prague.

Architecture

Much of Prague’s architecture has survived through two world wars to make Prague one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. A wide variety of architectural styles are to be found mingling with each other on Prague’s narrow lanes. A stroll through Prague is a stroll through history itself.