Czech Republic, republic comprising the historic regions of Bohemia, Moravia, and part of Silesia, in central Europe, bordered on the north by Poland, on the east by Slovakia, on the south by Austria, and on the west and north by Germany. Formerly parts 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. Prague (Czech, Praha) is the capital and largest city.

The Czech Republic is still all things to all people. From the pulsing capital Prague to the back-in-time villages of Moravia, from toiling up mountains to lounging in spas, from the world-famous Pilsner to the strains of Smetana and Dvořák, there’s an experience to suit every taste.

Stunning architecture is not limited to Prague - there are plenty of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque facades in other towns. Among the richest are Kutná Hora in Central Bohemia; Cheb, Loket and Domažlice in western Bohemia; Olomouc in northern Moravia; and TelÄ? and Kromêříž in southern Moravia.

Cyclists will appreciate the undulating Bohemian plateau, drained by the Vltava, the republic’s longest river, and its parent river, the Labe, and dotted with castles and modest villages. A natural pathway through Moravia is the ‘Moravian Gate’, the linked valleys of the Morava, Beàva and Odra rivers, the only lowland corridor across the Czech Republic. Though this is the most densely populated part of the republic, the hills to both sides offer some of its most peaceful travelling.

A small country in the heart of the Continent, the Czech Republic is a sort of miniature Europe. Almost every architectural style and type of landscape is found here; with exception of the desert and the sea (although the sea was once attributed to the country by none other than William Shakespeare).

The capital, Prague, has been given a number of loving epithets — “symphony in stone,” “Golden Prague,” “City of a Hundred Spires.” Prague’s unforgettable atmosphere lets you forget what century you’re in; miraculously, it has survived wars and revolutions unscathed. The city’s architecture is a merry jumble of styles — square, gold-tipped Gothic towers (hence “Golden Prague") stand next to opulent baroque churches and airy Renaissance palaces. Prague has always been a major cultural center with no fewer than three grand opera houses, countless concert halls, galleries and museums. Café-going is a way of life, as is beer-drinking; trying at least a few native brands is a must for every visitor. The Czech Republic is a country worth discovering, and rediscovering each time you visit.