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Apr 23, 2021 · In its early years, the town switched back and forth between being called Prague and Praha, before finally ending up as New Prague in 1884. Its early development was boosted by the arrival of a railroad and the construction of a mill and grain elevator, earning it the nickname Flour City.
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Prague, city, capital of the Czech Republic. Lying at the heart of Europe, it is one of the continent’s finest cities and the major Czech economic and cultural centre. The city has a rich architectural heritage that reflects both the uncertain currents of history in Bohemia and an urban life extending back more than 1,000 years.
The physical attractions and landmarks of Prague are many. Among the finest is the Charles Bridge (Karlův most), which stands astride the Vltava River. The winding course of the Vltava, with its succession of bridges and changing vistas, contrasts with the ever-present backdrop of the great castle of Hradčany (Prague Castle), which dominates the left-bank region of the city from behind massive walls set high on a hill. The narrow streets and little taverns and restaurants of the older quarters contrast with the broad sweep of Wenceslas Square and modern parks and housing developments, while the great 18th-century Baroque palaces have their own elegance and splendour. Seen from the surrounding hills, the many church towers make up a unique perspective, giving Prague its description as the “city of a hundred spires.” This architectural harmony was enhanced by post-1945 planning, which preserved the ancient core of the city as a major monument and carefully supervised all modern building. In 1992 the historic city centre was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
From its original small riverside settlements, Prague has spread over its hills, up river valleys, and along riverside terraces. The Prague metropolitan area covers 192 square miles (496 square kilometres).
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The city’s core, with its historic buildings, bridges, and museums, is a major centre of employment and traffic congestion. Around the core is a mixed zone of industrial and residential areas, containing about half the city’s population and nearly half its jobs. Surrounding this area is the outer city development zone, and beyond this is yet another zone of development containing new industrial areas, parks and recreation areas, and sports facilities. Finally, there is a belt of agricultural land and open countryside, where farms and market gardening projects satisfy Prague’s demand for food.
The lowest point in the city is 623 feet (190 metres) above sea level, and the highest point is 1,247 feet (380 metres) on White Mountain (Bílá hora). The climate of Prague is typically mid-continental, with temperatures there averaging 67 °F (19.3 °C) in July and 31 °F (−0.6 °C) in January.
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Prague has a homogeneous population. There is a small Slovak community, but the overwhelming majority of residents are Czechs. The city has a number of demographic peculiarities stemming mainly from the effects of World War II; there are more women than men, and a sizable proportion of the female population is past the age of fertility. The natural...
Medieval Prague Prague Castle at night Charles Bridge Bridges of Prague St. Vitus Cathedral Old Town Square in Prague, Town Hall Tower & astronomical clock The astronomical clock Vltava river Týn Church – a view from east of Prague The Church of St. Nicolas The Jerusalem Synagogue, built in 1905 to 1906 by Wilhelm Stiassny, of Bratislava, is the largest Jewish place of worship in Prague.
Prague is by far the most visited Czech city. In 2022, Prague was visited by 8,044,324 guests who stayed overnight, of which 84.6% were from abroad. Average number of overnight stays of non-residents was 2.4. Most non-residents arriving to Prague and staying overnight were from the following countries:
- 8th century
- 100 00 – 199 00
- 399 m (1,309 ft)
- Czech Republic
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Prague. Prague , City (pop., 2001 est.: 1,178,576), capital of the Czech Republic. Situated on both sides of the Vltava River, the site was settled as early as the 9th century ce. By the 14th century it was one of Europe’s leading cultural and trade centres. It was the focal point of opposition to the Habsburg s in the early 17th century ...
The 20th century was a tumultuous time for Prague, marked by political and social upheaval. During World War I, the city was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed at the end of the war. In 1918, Czechoslovakia was formed, and Prague became the capital of the new country. Prague Castle became the place for the first president of ...
Into the 20th Century & the Founding of Czechoslovakia. In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution drew Czechs from the countryside into Prague, where a Czech national revival began. As the economy grew, Prague's Czech population increased in number and power, eventually overtaking the Germans by around midcentury.
