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.

International rankings

• Human Development Index 2003: Rank 31st out of 177 countries.
• Index of Economic Freedom 2005: Rank 33rd out of 155 countries.
• Reporters Without Borders world-wide press freedom index 2004: Rank 19th out of 167 countries.