Culture

Language
Czech is the majority language.  Slovak is a similar language and widely understood.  Other ethnic groups have the right to use minority languages: Polish, German and Romani.

Science
The Czech Republic has a rich tradition of scientific discovery and invention.
Three  examples:
*  chemists Otto Wichterle and Drahoslav Lím – contact lenses
*  the separation of modern blood types
*  Stanislav Brebera – the development of Semtex plastic explosives
*  Gregor Mendel – pioneer in genetics

Famous people
Other famous names in scientific discovery include:
*  Jan Amos Komenský, 17th century founder of modern education - his name is better known in its Latin form Comenius
*  Bedřich Hrozný who deciphered the ancient Hittite language, the earliest known Indo-European language

Music
*  Czech composers include Bedřich Smetana, Antonín Dvořák, Josef Suk and Leoš Janáček.

Literature
*  Author Franz Kafka, although he worked in Vienna and wrote in German, was born in Prague.

Puppetry
The Czech Republic is famous for puppetry and marionettes. Puppet theatre at fairs can be traced back to the middle ages. The first modern professional puppet theatre was set up in 1930. Czech puppet animation is well-known internationally on children's TV. The National Marionette Theatre in Prague even does a production of a full-length Mozart opera.  There are still regular puppet fairs.

Drinks
*  Plzen and České Budějovice are two cities well-known for their beer (usually seen in their German language form - Pilsner and Budweis). The Czech Republic is said to have the highest beer consumption per capita in the world. Pilsner Urquell, Budweiser Budvar and Staropramen are the most widely exported beers.
*  Apart from its beer the Republic is best known for its slivovice plum brandy.

Attractions
World Heritage sites
*  the historic centres of the city of Prague and of Český Krumlov in the south of Bohemia
*  the gardens and castle at Kroměříž in the east of Moravia.


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