branch:
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; Supreme Administrative Court; chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year term
Political parties and leaders:
Association of Independent Candidates-European Democrats or SNK-ED
[Zdenka MARKOVA]; Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's
Party or KDU-CSL [Pavel BELOBRADEK]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS
[Petr NECAS]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM
[Vojtech FILIP]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Bohuslav
SOBOTKA (acting)]; Green Party [Ondrej LISKA]; Public Affairs (VV)
[Radek JOHN]; Tradice Odpovednost Prosperita 09 or TOP 09 [Karel
SCHWARZENBERG]; Union of Freedom-Democratic Union or US-DEU [Jan
CERNY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions or CMKOS [Jaroslav
ZAVADIL]
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC,
EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO,
ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),
OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI
(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Daniel KOSTOVAL
chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 274–9100
FAX: [1] (202) 966–8540
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Joseph PENNINGTON
embassy: Trziste 15, 118 01 Prague 1
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [420] 257 022 000
FAX: [420] 257 022 809
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
note: is identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia; uses the Pan-Slav colors inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia
National anthem:
name: "Kde domov muj?" (Where is My Home?)
lyrics/music: Josef Kajetan TYL/Frantisek Jan SKROUP
note: adopted 1993; the anthem is a verse from the former Czechoslovakian anthem originally written as part of the opera "Fidlovacka"
Economy ::Czech Republic
Economy - overview:
The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Maintaining an open investment climate has been a key element of the Czech Republic's transition from a communist, centrally planned economy to a functioning market economy. As a member of the European Union, with an advantageous location in the center of Europe, a relatively low cost structure, and a well-qualified labor force, the Czech Republic is an attractive destination for foreign investment. Prior to its EU accession in 2004, the Czech government harmonized its laws and regulations with those of the European Union. The small, open, export-driven Czech economy grew by over 6% annually from 2005–2007 and by 2.5% in 2008. The conservative Czech financial system has remained relatively healthy throughout 2009. Nevertheless, the real economy contracted by 4.1% in 2009, mainly due to a significant drop in external demand as the Czech Republic's main export markets fell into recession. GDP is expected to grow by 2.4% in 2010, driven largely by a rebound in external demand, particularly from Gremany.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$261.5 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $256.9 billion (2009 est.)
$267.9 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$195.2 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 −4.1% (2009 est.)
2.5% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$25,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $25,200 (2009 est.)
$26,200 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.2%
industry: 38.3%
services: 59.5% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
5.37 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3.6%
industry: 40.2%
services: 56.2% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
9.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 8.1% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4.3%
highest 10%: 22.4% (1996)
Distribution
