The People

In 1991 the population of the Czech Republic was 10,302,215; that of Prague was 1,212,010. About 94 per cent of the people are Czechs. Slovaks, who account for about 3 per cent of the population, are the largest minority. There are also Poles, Germans, and Roma (Gypsies).

Czech, a Western Slavic language, is the most widely spoken language. It is written with the Latin alphabet. About 40 per cent of the people are Roman Catholic and another 40 per cent have no religion. Protestants and Eastern Orthodox Christians make up most of the rest.

The Czechs have a rich cultural heritage. Some of the world's greatest composers were Czechs, including Bedrich Smetana, Antonin Dvorák, and Leoš Janácek. Notable Czech writers include the poet Jaroslav Seifert, the historian František Palacký, the novelists Milan Kundera and Jaroslav Hašek, and the dramatists Karel Capek and Václav Havel.

Prague, with its many theaters, museums, galleries, and educational institutions, is the Czech Republic's cultural center. The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in Prague is internationally acclaimed. The National Gallery, also in Prague, houses a large collection of European art, including works of the 14th-century Czech artist Theodoric of Prague.

Prague is the seat of Charles University (founded 1348), the Czech Republic's oldest and largest institution of higher learning. Other large educational institutions include the Czech Technical University, in Prague, and Masaryk University, in Brno.

The Czechs are avid sports enthusiasts. Hockey, ice skating, soccer, tennis, gymnastics, and basketball are very popular. Notable Czech athletes include the tennis players Ivan Lendl and Martina Navratilova.