About the Czech Republic and Brno
Czechia (the Czech Republic)
The Czech Republic is a country in Central Europe. Its territory spans about 79,000 square kilometres and its population is mostly composed of ethnic Czechs (10.5 million). It is a high-income, advanced economy. The country joined the European Union in 2004, and is a member of the Schengen Area, NATO and the United Nations.
Basic facts about Czechia
- Official name: The Czech Republic (Česká republika [ˈt͡ʃɛskaː ˈrɛpublika])
- Area: 78.871 km2 (30.452 sq mi)
- Population: 10.51 million (2021)
- Capital: Prague (Praha), 1,309 million inhabitants (2019)
- Official language: Czech, a West Slavic language
Location
The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Historically known as Bohemia, it is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the southeast.
Climate
The climate is moderately continental, with cold winters, during which the temperature is often below freezing, and warm summers, during which nights remain cool. Daytime high temperatures tend to be near 17 °C (62-63 °F) early in May but will warm to 19-20 °C (66-68 °F) near the end of the month. A few of the warmer afternoons, especially near the end of May, can reach up to nearly 26 °C (79 °F).
Time zone
As in most European countries, the time zone during the summer is CEST (Central European Summer Time), which is two hours ahead of GMT, i.e. UTC+2.
Currency
The Czech Republic is a part of the economy of the European Union, but uses its own currency, the Czech koruna, instead of the euro.
The koruna, or crown (Kč/CZK) is divided into 100 haléře/hellers. Hellers have now been withdrawn from circulation, and the smallest unit of physical currency is 1 Kč.
Foreign currency can be exchanged in numerous exchange offices as well as in banks. Some places may accept euros, but the rate will be less favourable than in an exchange office.
Please remember that 1 euro is around 25 CZK and 1 US dollar is around 23 CZK.
Telephone
Czechia’s country code is +420.
Brno
Brno ([ˈbɜːrnoʊ] in English, [ˈbr̩nɔː] in Czech) is the second-largest city in the Czech Republic after the capital, Prague, and it’s full of charm, rich history, and vibrant energy. With around 400,000 residents, it’s big enough to feel exciting but small enough to feel cozy and welcoming.
The city is known for its relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere, cozy cafés, and stunning architecture — from the iconic Špilberk Castle and Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul to modern masterpieces like Villa Tugendhat. Brno also has a lively student population, thanks to its many universities, which gives the city a youthful and dynamic vibe.
Where better to connect, share, and celebrate languages than in a city that feels both international and personal? Brno is ready for this year’s Polyglot Gathering!