Czechs

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Czechs
Comenius, Jan Hus, Frantisek Palacky, Jan Evangelista Purkinje, Charles IV, Alfons Mucha, Vratislav II, Bedřich Smetana
Total population

over 12 million
Regions with significant populations
Flag of the Czech Republic Czech Republic: 9,246,784 (July 2007 est.)[1]

Flag of the United States United States: 1,462,413[2]

Flag of Brazil Brazil: 540,000[3]

Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom: 30,000 - 90,000

Flag of Canada Canada: 79,915 (2001)[4]

Flag of Germany Germany: 20,000-50,000

Flag of Slovakia Slovakia: 46,000

Flag of Argentina Argentina: 38,000

Flag of Australia Australia: 21,196[5]

Flag of Austria Austria: 20,000

Flag of Switzerland Switzerland: 20,000

Flag of Ukraine Ukraine: 11,000

Flag of France France: 10,731 (1990)

Flag of Croatia Croatia: 10,510 (2001)

Flag of Israel Israel: 8,000

Flag of Sweden Sweden: 7,175 (2001)

Flag of Ireland Ireland: 5,278[6]

Flag of Spain Spain: 5,622 (2006)

Flag of Russia Russia: 5,000~6,000

Flag of the Netherlands Netherlands: 3,500

Flag of Romania Romania: 3,339 (2002)

Flag of Poland Poland: 3,000

Flag of South Africa South Africa: 2,300

Flag of Serbia Serbia: 2,211 (2002)

Flag of Mexico Mexico: 2,000

Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina: 600~1,000[7]

Flag of Bulgaria Bulgaria: 436

in the Czech Republic include
Languages
Czech
Religion
Non-religious 59%, Roman Catholic 26.8%, Protestant 2.1%, other 3.3%, unspecified 8.8%[8]
Related ethnic groups
other West Slavs[9]

Czechs (Czech: Češi [͡tʃɛʃɪ], archaic Czech: Čechové [͡tʃɛxɔvɛː]) are a western Slavic people of Central Europe, living predominantly in the Czech Republic. Small populations of Czechs also live in Slovakia, Austria, U.S., Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Russia and other countries. They speak the Czech language, which is closely related to the Slovak language.[10]

Among the ancestors of the Czechs are ancient Slavic tribes who inhabited the regions of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia from the 6th century onwards.

Contents

[edit] History

 Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (February 2008)

The Czechs are descended from ancient Slavic tribes and are related to both the Celts and the Goths. The Slavic tribes have inhabited the regions of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia since the 6th century. According to a popular myth, the Czechs come from a certain Forefather Čech who settled at Říp Mountain.

[edit] Notable figures

[edit] Historical figures

The most successful and influential of all Czech kings was Charles IV (Karel IV.), who also became the Holy Roman Emperor.[11] The Luxembourg dynasty represents the heights of Czech (Bohemian) statehood territorial and influence as well as advancement in many areas of human endeavors.[12]

Many people are considered national heroes and cultural icons, many national stories concern their lives. Jan Hus was a religious reformist from the 1400s.[13] The teacher of nations Jan Amos Komenský is also considered a notable figure in Czech history.[14] Josef Jungmann is often credited for expanding the modern Czech language, and preventing its extinction.[15]

[edit] Mythology

There are also ancient folk stories about the Czech people, such as the Forefather Čech, who according to legend brought the tribe of Czechs into its land,[16] or Přemysl, the Ploughman,[17] who started the dynasty that ruled for 400 years until 1306.

[edit] Modern politicians

One of the most notable Velvet Revolution figures is Václav Havel, who became the first president of the independent Czech Republic.[18] The current president (2nd) is Václav Klaus.[19]

First Czech President Václav Havel
First Czech President Václav Havel

The Czech Republic has had multiple prime ministers the first of which was latter president Klaus, the second under Havel was Josef Tošovský[20] and the last prime minister under Havel was prominent CSSD member Miloš Zeman.[21] So far Klaus has had four prime ministers, the current one being Mirek Topolánek (ODS).[22]

[edit] Sports

Sports have also been a contributor to famous Czechs especially tennis, soccer, hockey and athletics.

[edit] The arts

The Czechs are accomplished in the field of literature, painting and music. Poet Jaroslav Seifert was awarded the Nobel Literature Prize.[26] Božena Němcová has become a cultural icon and gained much fame for her book Babička.[27] Writer Franz Kafka (born in Prague) wrote most of his works in Prague (although in German).[28]

Karel Gott, singer
Karel Gott, singer

Mikoláš Aleš was a painter, known for redesigning the Prague National Theatre.[29] Composers Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák have also been praised and the latter continued his work in New York, USA.[26] Film director Miloš Forman, known best for his movie, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest is of Czech origin and started his career in the Czech

Republic [30]. National performers such as Karel Kryl,[31] Helena Vondráčková,[32] Karel Gott[33] (singers), Zdenek Sverak (director and actor), Vlastimil Brodský,[34] Vladimír Menšík[35] (actors) or Ivan Mládek (comedian), have also made a mark in modern Czech history.

[edit] Saints

Many Bohemian saints benefited the Czech culture,[36] most notably St. Wenceslaus (Václav), patron of the Czech nation,[37] St. John of Nepomuk (Jan Nepomucký),[38] St. Adalbert (Vojtěch)[39] or St. Agnes of Bohemia (Anežka Česká).[40]

[edit] Geography

Simple map of the Czech Republic
Simple map of the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is divided into three political subdivisions: Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia,[41] the country is divided into 14 regions[42]. There is a slightly varying culture in each of the divisions.[43] Each part speaks Czech but there are certain local dialects.[44]

[edit] Czech language

Main article: Czech Language
See also: History of the Czech language

The Czech language is spoken by approximately 12 million people around the world including most of the people in the Czech Republic.[45] It developed from the Proto-Slavic language in the 10th century[46] [45] and is mutually intelligible with the Slovakian language.[47]

[edit] External links

[edit] See also

[edit] Further reading

  • Hroch, Miroslav (2004). "From ethnic group toward the modern nation: the Czech case". Nations and Nationalism 10 (1/2): 95-107. 
  • Berka, Petr and Palan, Ales and Stastny, Petr: Xenophobe´s Guide to the Czechs, Oval Books, London, 2008
  • Holy, Ladislav: The Little and the Great Czech Nation, Cambridge University, 1996

[edit] References

  1. ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Czech Republic
  2. ^ 2004 survey
  3. ^ Moschella, Alexandre. Edição 214, Um atalho para a Europa. Editora Globo. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ Statistics Canada.
  5. ^ 2006 census Data : View by Location
  6. ^ CSO - Statistics: Persons usually resident and present in the State on Census Night, classified by place of birth and age group
  7. ^ http://www.bosna.unas.cz/bosnacesko.html
  8. ^ 1-19 Population by denomination and sex: as measured by 1921, 1930, 1950, 1991 and 2001 censuses (PDF), Czech Demographic Handbook 2006.
  9. ^ Slav - Britannica Concise Encyclopedia - The online encyclopedia you can trust!
  10. ^ Czech language, alphabet and pronunciation
  11. ^ Charles IV (Karel IV.) - Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor
  12. ^ Travel guide - Luxembourg dynasty (1310 - 1378) - accommodation in hotels and apartments
  13. ^ Jan Hus
  14. ^ Jan Amos Comenius
  15. ^ VITEJTE.CZ : Josef Jungmann (1773-1847),Josef Jungmann (1773-1847),Josef Jungmann (1773-1847)
  16. ^ The Polish Eagle
  17. ^ [1]
  18. ^ Václav Havel
  19. ^ VACLAV HAVEL - Radio Prague
  20. ^ Vláda České republiky | Jmenný rejstřík předsedů vlád
  21. ^ Milos Zeman - outgoing prime minister - 19-06-2002 - Radio Prague
  22. ^ Mirek Topolánek
  23. ^ CzechSite: Famous Czechs
  24. ^ Antonin Panenka - the footballer Pele described as "either a genius or a madman" - 20-06-2007 10:19 UTC - Radio Prague
  25. ^ Josef, Ladislav. Masopust's memory lingers on. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  26. ^ a b c CzechSite: Famous Czechs
  27. ^ Partridge, James. Book Review: The Grandmother. Central Europe Review. Retrieved on 2008-02-10.
  28. ^ Franz Kafka (1883-1924). Grolier Incorporated (1993). Retrieved on 2008-02-10.
  29. ^ Tyman, Jaroslav. Mikoláš Aleš. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  30. ^ Erickson, Hal. Milos Forman, biography. All Movie Guide. Retrieved on 2008-02-10.
  31. ^ Karel Kryl
  32. ^ The official website of Helena Vondráčková®
  33. ^ Karel Gott. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  34. ^ Vlastimil Brodsky - Czech Film - Worldpress.org
  35. ^ Czech-Slovak film Database, Vladimír Menšík. POMO Media Group. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
  36. ^ Maurice, Edmund (1908). The story of Bohemia from the earliest times to the fall of national independence in 1620;: With a short summary of later events. Fisher, Unwin. 
  37. ^ St. Wenceslaus. Kevin Knight. Retrieved on 2008-02-10.
  38. ^ Krčmář, Luděk. St. John of Nepomuk - life. MultiMedia Activity. Retrieved on 2008-02-10.
  39. ^ *Attwater, Donald and Catherine Rachel John. The Penguin Dictionary of Saints. 3rd edition. New York: Penguin Books, 1993. ISBN 0-140-51312-4.
  40. ^ Order of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star - 757 years
  41. ^ Political subdivision of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia
  42. ^ Area size - Czech republic
  43. ^ Czech regions - Czech republic
  44. ^ Czech
  45. ^ a b Czech Language. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  46. ^ http://www.kortlandt.nl/publications/art066e.pdf
  47. ^ The Czech Language on WWW