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ABOUT PRAGUE

INTRODUCTION

Prague (in Czech, Praha; in German, Prag), city in west-central Czech Republic, the capital of the country. Prague is located in the central Bohemia region, situated on both sides of the River Vltava (in German, Moldau). Population 1,193,270 (1999 estimate).

ECONOMY

The largest city in the Czech Republic, Prague is the commercial and industrial centre and the cultural capital of the country. Machine tools, electrical machinery, motor vehicles, chemicals, textiles, clothing, leather goods, food and alcoholic beverages, and glassware are manufactured there. The city is also the centre of book publishing in the country. With the fall of Communism, Prague has become a popular tourist destination, bolstering the city's economy. The city has an efficient transport system, including the Metro, trams, and buses.

PLACES OF INTEREST

One of the most picturesque cities in Europe, Prague is sometimes called The City of One Hundred Spires. It was built in a broad valley along the banks of the River Vltava and on the surrounding hills. The river is spanned by many bridges, of which the most famous is the Karlsbrcke (Charles Bridge), built in the 14th century and later embellished with statues of saints. The eastern bank of the river is the site of the Old Town, dating from the 13th century, and the New Town, built about a century later. The traditional heart of the city is the cobbled Old Town Square, which is surrounded by historical buildings that include the 14th-century Tyn Cathedral, the Town Hall with its famous 15th-century clock whose mechanical figures of the Apostles bow to waiting onlookers every hour, the National Gallery, and the 18th-century St Nicklaus' Church. Dominating the Square is the monument to Jan Hus, the 15th-century religious reformer. The district also contains the University of Prague and the Municipal House. The New Town, primarily a commercial and industrial quarter, contains many public buildings, museums, and banks. On the western side of the river is the part of the city called the Lesser Town, with a number of Baroque palaces. Above this district and dominating the entire city is Hrad?nay Castle; formerly the home of the kings of Bohemia, it is now the residence of the President of the Czech Republic. Next to this vast structure is the Gothic-style Cathedral of St Vitus, which contains the tombs of many Bohemian kings.

Educational institutions in Prague include Charles University (1348), the oldest university in Central Europe, and the Technical University of Prague (1707). The city also has many art, music, and professional schools, as well as museums, libraries, and theatres.

HISTORY

The settlement of Prague dates from the 9th century, when it was the site of several Bohemian castles. The city began to grow in the 13th century with the establishment of German communities by Wenceslas I, King of Bohemia. The German colonists developed the city rapidly, building the Altstadt (Old Town) as a trading centre in 1232 and, expanding to the south-east, establishing the Neustadt (New Town) a century later. Prague prospered as the capital of the powerful province of Bohemia and during the 14th century became the largest European city after Paris. In 1442 it was conquered by the Hussites yet continued to grow in wealth and power. It was severely damaged during several wars, notably in the Thirty Years' War. In 1744 the city surrendered to Frederick II, King of Prussia, who, during the Seven Years' War, defeated the Austrian forces at Prague. In 1848, Prague was bombarded by Austrian troops used to quell a Czech revolution, and in 1866 the city surrendered to Prussian forces during the Seven Weeks' War. Upon the establishment of the republic of Czechoslovakia in 1918, Prague became its capital. During World War II the city was occupied by German forces from March 1939 until May 1945 but escaped major damage. The city was again the scene of turmoil in 1968 during the Prague Spring, when Soviet troops invaded Prague and massive demonstrations ensued. Prague, and especially Wenceslas Square, was also the site of massive non-violent demonstrations that led to the downfall of Czechoslovakia's Communist regime in 1989. When the country divided into two republics on January 1, 1993, the city became capital of the independent Czech Republic. In 2000 Prague was the scene of violent demonstrations by anti-capitalist and anti-globalization activists against the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank who were meeting in the city.