Czech Republic in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Security, Religion, Prague, Praha, Brno, Communism, Velvet Revolution, Elbe River

These two unique guides produced by the Department of Defense provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in the Czech Republic, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.

CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHY * Introduction * Topographical Features * Krusne Hory (Ore Mountains) * Luzicke Hory (Elbe Sandstone Area) * Sudety Mountain Chain * Sumava Mountains * Ceskomoravska Vysocina (Bohemian-Moravian Highlands) * Outer Western Carpathians (Beskids) * Bodies of Water * Vltava River * Elbe River (Labe River) * Morava River * Oder (Odra) * Climate * Major Cities * Prague (Praha) * Brno * Ostrava * Plzen (Pilsen) * Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) * Environmental Issues * Natural Hazards * CHAPTER 2: HISTORY * Early History * Holy Roman Empire * Bohemia's Golden Age * The Hussite Wars * The Habsburg Ascension * Reformation and Counter-Reformation * The Thirty Years' War and Absolute Rule * The Enlightened Despot, Industrialization, and the End of Empire * The Czech Nationalist Movement * Roots of Ethnic Strife * End of Empire, Birth of a Nation * The First Republic * The Sudeten Germans * The Munich Agreement * Death of a Nation * Nazi Occupation, 1939-1945 * Reconstruction * Communist Coup * Under Communism * Adjusting to Communist Rule * Reform Movement * Prague Spring of 1968 * Growing Discontent * Velvet Revolution * Velvet Divorce * Moving Forward * Chapter 2 Assessment * CHAPTER 3: ECONOMY * Introduction * Agriculture * Industry * Tourism and Service Sectors * Energy and Natural Resources * Trade * Banking and Finance * Standard of Living * Employment Trends * Public vs. Private Sector * Future Outlook * CHAPTER 4: SOCIETY * Ethnic Groups and Languages * Roma * Languages * Religion * Cuisine * Traditional Dress * Gender Issues * Arts and Letters * Music * Literature * Theater * Film * Pop Culture * Architecture * Visual Arts * Folk Traditions * Sports and Recreation * National Sports * Recreation * CHAPTER 5: SECURITY * Introduction * Military * Police * Foreign Relations * The Visegrad Group * Germany and Austria * U.S.-Czech Relations * Recent Relations * Issues Affecting Stability * Water and Food Security * CHAPTER 1: PROFILE * Introduction * Geography * Area and Climate * Mountains * Bodies of Water * Major Cities * History * Early Slavic Nations * Holy Roman Empire * Religious Strife * Nationalism * The First Republic * World War II * Communist Takeover * Communist Reforms * Velvet Revolution and Velvet Divorce * Government * Executive Branch * Legislative Branch * Judicial Branch * Local Administration * There are 14 regions (kraje) in the Czech Republic, which form a level of administration between towns and local councils and the national government * Media * Print Media * Broadcast Media * Basic Economic Structure * Main Industries * Currency and Trade * Ethnic Groups and Languages * Other Minorities * Roma * CHAPTER 2: RELIGION * Introduction * Religion in Czech History * Early Christianity * Jan Hus * The Habsburgs and the Counter-Reformation * Religion and Nationalism * Religion under Communism * Major Religions * Roman Catholicism * Protestantism * Judaism * Influence of Religion on Daily Life * Religion and Government * Religious Holidays * Christmas * Easter * Buildings of Worship * Behavior in Places of Worship * CHAPTER 3: TRADITIONS * Introduction * Values and Characteristics * Values * Codes of Politeness * Communication Styles * Greetings and Polite Expressions * Male and Female Interactions * Hospitality and Gift-Giving * Special Occasions * Eating Habits * The Drinking Culture * Pubs * Dress Codes * Nonreligious Celebrations * Fairs and Festivals * National Holidays * Dos and Don'ts * CHAPTER 4: URBAN LIFE