Federal Republic: The Czech Republic and Slovakia became independent states on January 1, 1993, when the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic. (Czechoslovakia) was dissolved.

Location & History: Czechoslovakia, a republic landlocked in Central Europe, was composed of 64% Czechs and 31% Slovaks. The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic was established in January 1969 as a federal state of two nations of equal rights. In 1990, the country changed its name to the Czech and Slovak Federative Republic and dropped 'socialist' to symbolize its departure from the communist past: Disputes between ~e two regions over post-communist reforms turned the union bitter. In June,1992 the 74year old federation's Czech and Slovak regions agreed to part.

People: The Czech republic is bounded by Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria. Czechs constitute 81.2%, Moravian and Silesians 13.7%, and Slovaks 3.1 %. About 40% of people call themselves atheists. Czech Republic is a member of NATO.

Agriculture: Sugar beet, wheat, potatoes, barley, maize, rye. Industry: Pig iron, crude steel, rolled steel products, cement, paper, sulphuric acid, synthetic fibres, sugar, beer, armaments, cars.

Minerals: Coal, caolin, uranium.

Mission in India:
Embassy of the Czech Republic,
50-M, Niti Marg, Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi - 110 021,
Tel: +91-11-26110205, 26110318, 26110382, 26886218
Fax: +91-11-26886221.
E-mail: newdelhi@embassy.mzv.cz
Web: www.mfa.cz/newdelhi

Indian Mission in Czech Republic:
Embassy of India,
Valdstejnska 6, Malastrana,
11800 Prague - l, Czech Republic.
Tel: 00-420-2-57533490
Fax: 00-420-2-57533285, 57533378.
E-mail: indemprague@bohem.net.cz / eiprague.comwing@nectraa.cz