Climate and Geography of Czech Republic

Geography

The Czech Republic (Czech Republic) is a country located in Central Europe. It was formed as a result of the merger of the historical regions of Bohemia, Moravia and part of Silesia. It borders on four countries: in the north – with Poland, in the northwest and west – with Germany, in the east – with Slovakia, in the south – with Austria. See Czech Republic abbreviations.

The capital of the state is Prague. It is the largest city of the state, very popular among tourists.

The area of the country is about 78.9 thousand square kilometers. The Czech Republic is located on the Bohemian Plateau, which stretches along the entire country. The edges of the plateau are bordered by mountain ranges. The western territory of the country (Bohemia) is surrounded by the Sudetes mountains. It has the highest point in the country – Mount Snezhka, it has a height of 1,602 m. In the northwestern part of the Czech Republic there are the Krushne Mountains, in the north – the Krkonose Mountains, in the east – the Orlicke Mountains, in the southeast – the Carpathians.

The Czech Republic is landlocked, located in the European watershed, where such rivers as the Vltava (440 km), Elbe (Laba) (357 km), Morava (329 km) and Oder flow into the Baltic, North and Black Seas. The lowest point in the country is in the course of the Elbe on the border with Germany – 117 m above sea level.

There are about 15 thousand lakes and ponds on the territory of the country. The largest of them is Lake Lipno (4870 ha). Czech resorts are famous for their mineral and thermal springs, there are about 2 thousand of them. A large part of the Czech Republic is surrounded by forests and meadows. Almost 12% of the country’s territory is occupied by national parks.

Time zone of the Czech Republic: GMT + 1 (- 2 hours from Moscow).

Climate

According to 800zipcodes, the climatic zone of the Czech Republic is determined by air masses moving from the Atlantic Ocean. This zone combines maritime and continental influences, the climate is temperate. The stability of the climate is determined by the geographical position, the mountain ranges protect the country from the penetration of winds.

Winter in most of the country is relatively warm (average temperature -5 °C), summer is moderately hot (average temperature +20 °C). Precipitation is dominated by rain, most of which falls in the mountains (over 1200 mm per year).

The Czech mountains are snowy in winter, which is a favorable condition for organizing ski resorts in some of them.

Czech cuisine

Czech cuisine combines both pan-European and national features. In addition, it has similarities with the cuisines of other Slavic countries.

The main products that are used to prepare national Czech dishes are meat (usually pork or beef), fish (carp, trout), vegetables (potatoes, cabbage and others). Popular in the Czech Republic and flour products.

Dishes are often high- calorie, more fatty and salty than dishes from other European countries.

Meat dishes are served with various sauces and gravies. Often these are sauces based on dairy products, vegetable or spicy. The main spices of Czech cuisine: cumin, basil, marjoram, thyme, mint.

The most famous national dishes of the Czech Republic:

  • Dumplings of various types are considered the visiting card of Czech chefs. This dish is made from potatoes or wheat flour. May have different fillings, such as fruit. Dumplings resemble bread cakes, pancakes or zrazy.
  • The Czech soup “polevka” is similar to liquid mashed potatoes, mashed vegetables, semolina, egg yolks, potatoes, and meat are added to it.
  • Piglet’s leg (knee) is a popular dish in the Czech Republic. Initially marinated and rubbed with herbs and spices, served baked with mustard and horseradish.
  • It is customary to cook golden carp for Christmas.
  • Goulash in the Czech Republic has many variations, it is made from beef, pork, rabbit meat.
  • Grilled sausages and wieners are considered the best snack for Czech beer. This is a rather oily and spicy dish. It is customary to eat sausages with your hands, dipping them in ketchup or mustard.

Also worth trying in the Czech Republic are grilled pork ribs, smeared cheese sprinkled with breadcrumbs, and many other national dishes.

Do not forget that for people who are prone to fullness, such dishes may seem too high in calories, you should also be careful with fatty foods.

Czech beer

The Czech Republic is a world famous producer of different types of beer. The country has many breweries, many of which have been producing quality beer for centuries.

One of the most popular brands of Czech beer is Gambrinus, a light-coloured beer. The Staropramen brand is a participant in many competitions. Of the dark varieties, beer ” Velkopopovitsky Kozel ” is known. “Velvet” beer with a pleasant aftertaste is considered “Velvet”. No less famous are such brands of beer as Pilsner, Krushovice, Budweiser, Old Gott, X-BEER, Bernard, Celt, Zlatopramen and others.

In addition to beer, strong liqueur Becherovka is very famous in the Czech Republic. This herbal liqueur has a strength of 38% and is produced in the spa town of Karlovy Vary. In the Czech Republic, you can also buy strong alcoholic drinks such as slivovitz (plum vodka) and absinthe.

Czech cuisine

About the author