Let’s visit the Czech Republic (also known as Czechia), a landlocked country famous for its fairytale castles, world-class architecture, and rolling hills. There are around 11 million people living here, and the capital is Prague, often called “The City of a Hundred Spires” because of its stunning skyline. The official language is Czech.

Czechia covers about 78,866 square kilometers, or 30,450 square miles. To imagine its size, the country is roughly the same size as the state of South Carolina in the U.S., or approximately the same size as Austria. The country is shaped like a natural fortress, surrounded almost entirely by mountain ranges.

The most popular sports are Ice Hockey and Football, with the national hockey team being a powerhouse on the world stage. Their national animal is the Double-tailed Lion, a symbol of strength and bravery that you will see on the country’s coat of arms and official documents.

The flag consists of two horizontal stripes of white and red with a blue triangle at the hoist, where the white and red are the traditional colors of Bohemia and the blue represents the region of Moravia.

The food is hearty, comforting, and perfect for a central European climate. You must try Svíčková, which is sirloin steak in a creamy vegetable sauce served with bread dumplings and a dollop of cranberry jam. Another favorite is Vepřo knedlo zelo, a classic dish of roast pork, dumplings, and sauerkraut. Czechia is also famous for its Beer; they have the highest beer consumption per person in the world and were the birthplace of the original Pilsner!

Czechia is home to the highest density of castles in Europe, with over 2,000 fortresses and ruins scattered across the landscape. The Prague Castle is officially the largest ancient castle complex in the world! The country is also the birthplace of the word “Robot,” which first appeared in a play by Czech writer Karel Čapek in 1920. If you enjoy a bit of mystery, you can visit the Sedlec Ossuary, a chapel decorated with the bones of more than 40,000 people arranged into artistic shapes like chandeliers and coats of arms. Czechia is also world-renowned for its Bohemian Glass, which has been prized for its high quality and craftsmanship since the Renaissance.

From the medieval streets of Old Town Prague to the relaxing thermal springs of Karlovy Vary, Czechia is a land of history and legendary craftsmanship. Děkuji! That means “Thank you!”