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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA

Radios [time series]

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

domestic: NA international : satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

3,349,539 (1993 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

Televisions [time series]

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products

Budget [time series]

revenues: $18.4 billion expenditures: $18.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 koruna (Kc) = 100 haleru

Debt - external [time series]

$17.1 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $27 million (1993)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Western observers view the Czech Republic as one of the most politically and economically stable post-Communist states. Its key macroeconomic indicators are, in the aggregate, the best in the region, and public opinion polls show strong support for reform. The country emerged from recession in 1994 with 2.6% growth and reached about 5% growth in both 1995 and 1996 while keeping a balanced budget and reorienting exports to the EU. Inflation and unemployment of 8.7% and 3.3% respectively in 1996 are among the lowest in the region. Prague's mass privatization program, including its innovative distribution of ownership shares to Czech citizens via "coupon vouchers," has made the most rapid progress in Eastern Europe. About 80% of the economy is in private hands or is partially privatized. The Czech Republic appears to be the East European frontrunner in economic integration with the West; for example, in 1996 it began to strengthen its bankruptcy law and to improve the transparency of stock market operations. It was the first post-Communist member of the OECD and is expected to be in the next group of new EU members. Its solid economic performance has led Standard and Poor's to upgrade the country's sovereign credit rating to "A" and has attracted over $6.7 billion in direct foreign investment to Czech industry between 1990 and September 1996 - one quarter from the US. Prague's biggest macroeconomic concerns now are mounting trade and current account deficits. In addition, the Czech economy still faces transition problems. The government continues to exert too much direct and indirect influence on the privatized economy, and the management of privatized firms sometimes is ineffective. Insufficient regulation and lack of public information in the capital markets and the banking system, combined with a shortage of experienced financial analysts, limit the ability to distribute new credit efficiently. The judicial system also has trouble speedily processing bankruptcy cases. Prague has promised to overhaul its bankruptcy law and improve stock market and bank operations, but it will take years to ensure compliance. Prague forecasts a balanced budget, 4.5% GDP growth, 3.3% unemployment and 7.5% to 8% inflation for 1997.

Electricity - capacity [time series]

13.85 million kW (1994)

Electricity - consumption per capita [time series]

4,712 kWh (1995 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

55.38 billion kWh (1994)

Exchange rates [time series]

koruny (Kcs) per US$1 - 27.516 (January 1997), 27.145 (1996), 26.541 (1995), 28.785 (1994), 29.153 (1993), 28.26 (1992) note: values before 1993 reflect Czechoslovak exchange rates

Exports [time series]

total value: $21.9 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: manufactured goods 32.4%, machinery and transport equipment 26.3%, chemicals 10.4%, raw materials and fuel 11.3% (1995) partners : EU 55.1%, Eastern Europe, excluding Slovakia, and CIS countries 16.9%, Slovakia 16.2%, developing countries 6.6%, EFTA 1.8% (1995)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $114.3 billion (1996 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 4% industry: 43% services : 53% (1996 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $11,100 (1996 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

5% (1996 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value: $27.8 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 35.6%, manufactured goods 17.9%, chemicals 13.2%, raw materials and fuels 14.4% (1994) partners : EU 56.4%, Eastern Europe, excluding Slovakia, and CIS countries 15.7%, Slovakia 13.1%, developing countries 6.0%, EFTA 2.5% (1995)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

6.4% (1996 est.)

Industries [time series]

fuels, ferrous metallurgy, machinery and equipment, coal, motor vehicles, glass, armaments

Inflation rate (consumer prices) (Inflation rate - consumer price index) [time series]

8.7% (1996 est.)

Labor force [time series]

total: 5.107 million (1996) by occupation: industry 33.1%, agriculture 6.9%, construction 9.1%, transport and communications 7.2%, services 43.7% (1994)

Unemployment rate [time series]

3.3% (1996 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 78,703 sq km land: 78,645 sq km water: 58 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Climate [time series]

temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point : Elbe River 115 m highest point: Snezka 1,602 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol

Geographic coordinates [time series]

49 45 N, 15 30 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe

Irrigated land [time series]

240 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,881 km border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km, Slovakia 215 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 41% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 11% forests and woodland: 34% other: 12% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Central Europe, southeast of Germany

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite

Terrain [time series]

Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

8 regions (kraje, kraj - singular); Jihocesky, Jihomoravsky, Praha, Severocesky, Severomoravsky, Stredocesky, Vychodocesky, Zapadocesky

Constitution [time series]

ratified 16 December 1992; effective 1 January 1993

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Czech Republic conventional short form: Czech Republic local long form: Ceska Republika local short form: Ceska Republika

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Jenonne R. WALKER embassy : Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1 mailing address: Unit 1330, APO AE 09213 telephone: [420] (2) 5732-0663

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Alexander VONDRA chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 274-9101, 9102

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Vaclav HAVEL (since 26 January 1993) head of government : Prime Minister Vaclav KLAUS (since NA June 1992); Deputy Prime Ministers Ivan KOCARNIK (since NA June 1992), Josef LUX (since NA June 1992), Josef ZIELENIEC (since NA June 1992) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections : president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 26 January 1993 (next to be held NA January 1998); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Vaclav HAVEL elected president; percent of parliamentary vote - NA

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 966-8540 consulate(s) general : Los Angeles

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[420] (2) 5732-0920

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (almost identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia)

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)

International organization participation [time series]

Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE (guest), CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NACC, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president; Constitutional Court, chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president

Legal system [time series]

civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve staggered two-, four-, and six-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Snemovna Poslancu (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections : Senate - last held 15-16 and 22-23 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 1998 - to replace/re-elect 20 senators serving two-year terms); Chamber of Deputies - last held 31 May-1 June 1996 (next to be held NA May 2000) election results : Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - governing coalition (ODS 32, KDU-CSL 13, ODA 7), opposition (CSSD 25, KCSM 2, DEU 1, independent 1); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - governing coalition (ODS 68, KDU-CSL 18, ODA 13), opposition (CSSD 61, KCSM 22, SPR-RSC 18)

Capital (National capital) [time series]

Prague

National holiday [time series]

National Liberation Day, 8 May; Founding of the Republic, 28 October

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

governing coalition : Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Vaclav KLAUS, chairman]; Civic Democratic Alliance or ODA [Michael ZANTOVSKY, chairman]; Christian Democratic Union-Czech People's Party or KDU-CSL [Josef LUX, chairman] opposition: Czech Social Democrats or CSSD - left opposition [Milos ZEMAN, chairman]; Communist Party or KSCM - left opposition [Miroslav GREBENICEK, chairman]; Assembly for the Republic or SPR-RSC - extreme right radical [Miroslav SLADEK, chairman]; Democratic Union or DEU [Ratibor MAJZLIK, chairman]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Czech-Moravian Chamber of Trade Unions; Civic Movement

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense, Railroad Units

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$1.22 billion (1996)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

2.2% (1996)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,715,759 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males: 2,068,143 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males : 84,516 (1997 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 18% (male 930,874; female 886,444) 15-64 years : 69% (male 3,542,900; female 3,539,351) 65 years and over: 13% (male 535,049; female 863,706) (July 1997 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

8.84 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate [time series]

11.02 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Czech 94.4%, Slovak 3%, Polish 0.6%, German 0.5%, Gypsy 0.3%, Hungarian 0.2%, other 1%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Languages [time series]

Czech, Slovak

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 73.86 years male: 70.49 years female: 77.42 years (1997 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age NA and over can read and write total population: 99% (est.) male: NA% female : NA%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Czech(s) adjective: Czech note: 300,000 Slovaks declared themselves Czech citizens in 1994

Net migration rate [time series]

0.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Population [time series]

10,298,324 (July 1997 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.13% (1997 est.)

Religions [time series]

atheist 39.8%, Roman Catholic 39.2%, Protestant 4.6%, Orthodox 3%, other 13.4%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.17 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Liechtenstein claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of Czech territory confiscated from its royal family in 1918; the Czech Republic insists that restitution does not go back before February 1948, when the communists seized power; individual Sudeten German claims for restitution of property confiscated in connection with their expulsion after World War II; unresolved property issues with Slovakia over redistribution of property of the former Czechoslovak federal government

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish and Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; domestic consumption - especially of locally produced synthetic drugs - on the rise DENMARK

Transportation

Airports [time series]

116 (1994 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total : 29 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 87 over 3,047 m : 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m : 41 (1994 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 124,770 km paved: 16,719 km (including 414 km of expressways) unpaved : 108,051 km (1995 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 80,117 GRT/134,890 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 1 (1996 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

natural gas 5,400 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem

Railways [time series]

total: 9,441 km standard gauge : 9,345 km 1.435-m standard gauge (2641 km electrified at three voltages) narrow gauge: 96 km two narrow gauges (1995)

Waterways [time series]

NA km; the Elbe (Labe) is the principal river

Czechia