Czechia

Czechia, officially the Czech Republic (Česká republika), is a landlocked nation in Central Europe, bordered by Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Austria. Renowned for its architectural heritage, industrial prowess, and democratic stability, Czechia exemplifies a successful transition from communism to a high-income, market-oriented democracy deeply integrated into European and transatlantic institutions.

Historical Background

The Czech lands, encompassing Bohemia, Moravia, and part of Silesia, have played a vital role in European history for over a millennium. During the Middle Ages, the Kingdom of Bohemia emerged as a powerful state within the Holy Roman Empire, ruled by influential dynasties such as the Přemyslids and the Luxembourgs. The reign of Charles IV (1346–1378) marked a cultural and political zenith, with Prague serving as the imperial capital and seat of one of Europe’s earliest universities, Charles University (founded 1348).
In the 15th century, religious reformer Jan Hus inspired a national movement against ecclesiastical corruption, igniting the Hussite Wars (1419–1434). Following centuries of Habsburg rule, Czech national identity reasserted itself in the 19th century through the Czech National Revival, which emphasised language, literature, and cultural autonomy.
After World War I, the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire led to the formation of Czechoslovakia in 1918, uniting Czechs and Slovaks in a democratic republic under Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. The interwar period saw economic progress but also ethnic tensions, especially with the German-speaking minority in the Sudetenland.
The Munich Agreement (1938) ceded the Sudetenland to Nazi Germany, and the following year the remainder of Czech lands were occupied, forming the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, while Slovakia became a German client state. After World War II, Czechoslovakia was reconstituted but soon fell within the Soviet sphere of influence.
The Communist coup of 1948 transformed the state into a one-party socialist republic, aligning it firmly with the Eastern Bloc. Reform efforts in 1968, led by Alexander Dubček under the banner of “socialism with a human face”, were crushed by a Warsaw Pact invasion, ushering in two decades of political repression.
The Velvet Revolution (1989) peacefully ended communist rule, ushering in democracy and a market economy. In 1993, the Velvet Divorce amicably separated Czechoslovakia into two sovereign states: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Czechia joined NATO (1999) and the European Union (2004), confirming its Western orientation. The short-form name “Czechia” was officially adopted in 2016 for international use.

Geography and Environment

Czechia covers 78,867 square kilometres, with a varied landscape of rolling plains, uplands, and mountain ranges forming natural borders. Bohemia, in the west, is drained by the Elbe (Labe) and Vltava rivers, while Moravia, in the east, is crossed by the Morava River.

• Highest point: Sněžka (1,602 m), in the Krkonoše Mountains
• Climate: Temperate, with cool summers and cold, cloudy winters
• Natural resources: Coal, clay, kaolin, graphite, timber, and fertile soils

Approximately 45.7% of land is used for agriculture and 34.7% is forested. Environmental issues include air and water pollution, particularly in industrial areas of northern Bohemia and Moravia. Czechia is a signatory to the Paris Climate Agreement, Kyoto Protocol, and several EU environmental directives. It also hosts the Bohemian Paradise UNESCO Global Geopark, noted for its sandstone formations and biodiversity.

People and Society

Czechia’s population stands at 10.8 million (2024), with a median age of 44.2 years, reflecting demographic ageing common across Europe. Population growth is minimal (0.04% annually) but offset by immigration, particularly from Ukraine, Slovakia, and Vietnam.
Ethnic composition:

• Czechs: 57.3%
• Moravians: 3.4%
• Minorities: Slovaks, Poles, Ukrainians, and Roma

Language: Official language Czech, spoken by 88% of the population.
Religion: Among Europe’s least religious nations — 47.8% non-religious, 7% Roman Catholic, and smaller Protestant and Orthodox minorities.
Social indicators:

• Life expectancy: 78.6 years
• Infant mortality: 2.6 per 1,000 live births
• Fertility rate: 1.73 children per woman
• Literacy rate: 99.9%

Health care is universal and publicly funded, accounting for 9.5% of GDP, while access to clean water and sanitation is nearly universal. Education is free and compulsory until age 15, with 4.7% of GDP dedicated to the sector. The school life expectancy is 17 years, and Czech universities—particularly Charles University in Prague and Masaryk University in Brno—maintain international reputations for excellence.

Government and Politics

Czechia is a parliamentary republic under the 1992 Constitution, with power divided among the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

• President: Petr Pavel (since 2023) — a retired NATO general, serving as head of state
• Prime Minister: Petr Fiala (since 2021), leader of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) and head of the SPOLU coalition

Legislature: Bicameral Parliament

• Chamber of Deputies: 200 members (elected by proportional representation)
• Senate: 81 members (elected by majority vote)

The judiciary is independent, based on a civil law system, with the Constitutional Court safeguarding fundamental rights.
Major political parties include SPOLU, ANO 2011, the Pirate Party, and Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD). Czechia actively participates in the EU, NATO, OECD, and United Nations, and maintains strong ties with its Visegrád Group partners (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia).

Economy

Czechia possesses one of Central Europe’s strongest and most diversified economies, ranking among the EU’s high-income members.
Key indicators (2024):

• GDP (PPP): $521.9 billion
• GDP per capita (PPP): $48,000
• Growth rate: 2.5%
• Inflation: 2.4%
• Unemployment: 2.6%
• Gini Index: 25.9 (low inequality)

Sectoral composition:

• Services: 59.5%
• Industry: 30.2%
• Agriculture: 1.5%

The industrial sector anchors Czechia’s export-oriented economy, dominated by automotive production (Škoda Auto, Hyundai), engineering, machinery, metallurgy, and pharmaceuticals. Services—particularly banking, tourism, and information technology—form the largest share of GDP.
Czechia maintains a current account surplus of approximately $6 billion and benefits from deep integration into EU supply chains, especially with Germany.
Main exports: Vehicles, machinery, electronics, and plasticsMain imports: Petroleum, machinery, and computer equipmentPrimary trading partners: Germany, Slovakia, Poland, France, United Kingdom
The national currency remains the Czech koruna (CZK), with no immediate plans for euro adoption.

Energy and Infrastructure

Czechia has a reliable and advanced infrastructure system.

• Electricity access: 100%
• Installed capacity: 21.8 million kW
• Energy mix: 45% fossil fuels, 40% nuclear, 15% renewables (solar, biomass, wind)

The country operates six nuclear reactors, providing roughly 40% of total power. Energy diversification and independence have been prioritised since reducing reliance on Russian imports in 2025.
Transport:

• Railways: 9,548 km
• Airports: 252
• Highways link Prague to Vienna, Berlin, and Warsaw.

Digital infrastructure: 86% internet usage; 128 mobile subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.

Defence and Security

The Czech Armed Forces (Armáda České republiky) consist of Land, Air, and Special Forces, supported by Cyber and Territorial Commands. Personnel total approximately 30,000 active troops, operating fully under NATO standards.

• Defence spending: 2% of GDP
• Roles: National defence, international missions, disaster response

Czechia contributes to NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic States and participates in UN peacekeeping operations. Ongoing modernisation includes the acquisition of advanced aircraft, vehicles, and air defence systems from the United States, Germany, and Sweden.

National Identity and Heritage

Czech national symbols include the white double-tailed lion, the white-red-blue tricolour flag, and the anthem “Kde domov můj?” (Where Is My Home?). The national day, 28 October, commemorates the founding of Czechoslovakia (1918).
Czechia is celebrated for its architectural and cultural legacy, with 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Historic Prague, Český Krumlov, Kutná Hora, and the Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape. Its artistic contributions range from the Gothic cathedrals of Prague to the works of composers like Antonín Dvořák and writers such as Franz Kafka.