INTRODUCTION TO CZECH

Location:
Central Europe, southeast of Germany

Area:
total area: 78,703 sq km
land area: 78,645 sq km

International disputes:
Liechtenstein claims restitution for l,600 square kilometers of Czech territory confiscated from its royal family in 1918;Sudeten German claims for restitution of property confiscated in connection with their expulsion after World War II versus the Czech Republic claims that restitution does not preceed before February 1948 when the Communists seized power;unresolved property issues with Slovakia over redistribution of property of the former Czechoslovak federal government.

Climate:
temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Terrain:
two main regions: Bohemia in the west, consisting of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains;and Moravia in the east, consisting of very hilly country.

Natural resources:
hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite