Czech Republic

The Czech Republic (Czech: ?eská republika {{Audio|Cs-Ceska republika Cesko.ogg|listen}}) is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The republic borders Poland to the north, Germany to the northwest and west, Austria to the south, and Slovakia to the east. Although the Czech Republic is the youngest country in Europe, it offers many examples of old architecture such as historic Prague (Czech: Praha), a major tourist attraction, its capital and largest city. Other major cities include Brno, Ostrava, Plze?, Hradec Králové, ?eské Bud?jovice, and Ústí nad Labem.

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Czech Republic

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One of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states, the Czech Republic has been recovering from recession since mid-1999. Growth in 2000-2001 was led by exports to the EU, especially Germany, and foreign investment, while domestic demand is reviving. With a GDP (PPP) per capita of $19,488, the Czech Republic's per-capita output is approximately two-thirds that of the large Western European economies and approximately on par with that of Portugal, Greece and Slovenia.

Related Topics:
2000 - 2001 - EU - Germany - Portugal - Greece - Slovenia

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Uncomfortably high fiscal and current account deficits could be future problems.

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Moves to complete banking, telecommunications, and energy privatisation will add to foreign investment, while intensified restructuring among large enterprises and banks and improvements in the financial sector should strengthen output growth.

Related Topics:
Banking - Telecommunication - Privatisation

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