Population:
1,184,000

Area:
496 sq km

Geographic location:
North latitude 50° 05'
East longitude 14° 27'

Elevation:
235 m (average)

Time Zone:
Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour (two hours in summer): Time in Prague is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in New York. (7 hours ahead of central time in Chicago, etc.) Prague uses the 24 hour clock, so the numeral 1 on a US watch would be read as 1in the early morning or 13 in the afternoon, etc. Transportation timetables and schedules will use this method of representation of time. (designations of am and pm are unnecessary)

Business Hours:
Though hours vary, most banks are open weekdays 8-5, with an hour's lunch break. Private exchange offices usually have longer hours. Museums are usually open daily except Monday (or Tuesday) 9-5; they tend to stop selling tickets an hour before closing time. Stores are open weekdays 9-6; some grocery stores open at 6 AM. Department stores often stay open until 7pm. On Saturday, most stores close at noon. Nearly all stores are closed on Sunday.

Taxes:
If you shop in the Czech Republic, get a value-added tax (VAT) refund. The basic VAT rate in the Czech Republic is about 25%, applied to most consumer goods. A 5% rate applies to most services and some goods, including fuel and most food.

Language:
Czech, a Slavic language closely related to Slovak and Polish, is the official language of the Czech Republic. Learning English is popular among young people, but German is still the most useful language for tourists. Don't be surprised if you get a response in German to a question asked in English.

Telephones:
The country code for the Czech Republic is 42.
The city code for Prague is 02.

Entertainment Listings:
To find out what's on for the month and to get the latest tips for shopping, dining, and entertainment, consult Prague's weekly English-language newspaper, The Prague Post. It prints comprehensive entertainment listings and can be bought at most downtown newsstands as well as in major North American and European cities. The monthly Prague Guide, available at newsstands and tourist offices provides an overview of major cultural events and has listings of restaurants, hotels, and organizations offering traveler assistance.

Emergency Numbers:
Police (158).
Ambulance (155).
Breakdowns (154 or 123).

Packing:
Formal clothing is not necessary for a vacation in Prague. Fashion was all but nonexistent under 40 years of Communist rule, and Western dress of any kind is considered stylish. A sports jacket for men, and a dress or pants for women, is appropriate for an evening out. Everywhere else, you'll feel comfortable in casual corduroy or jeans. The Czech Republic has all the extremes of an inland climate, so plan accordingly. In the higher elevations winter can last until April, and even in summer the evenings will be cool.

Take a pair of sturdy walking shoes and be prepared to use them. Dress shoes will present considerable problems on the cobblestone streets of Prague.

Many items that you take for granted at home are occasionally unavailable or of questionable quality. Take your own toiletries and personal hygiene products with you. Few places provide sports equipment for rent; an alternative to bringing your own equipment would be to buy what you need locally and take it home with you. In general, sporting goods are relatively cheap and of good quality.

Bring an extra pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses in your carry-on luggage. Contact lens wearers should bring enough saline and disinfecting solution with them, as they are expensive and in short supply

Late-Night Pharmacies:
There are two 24-hour pharmacies close to the city's center, both called Lékárna (Stefánikova 6, Prague 5, 02/537039; Belgická 37, Prague 2, 02/258189).

Embassies:
United States (Trziste 15, Malá Strana, 02/2451-0847).
British (Thunovská ul. 14, Malá Strana, 02/2451-0439).
Canadian (Mickiewiczova ul. 6, Hradcany, 02/2431-1108).

Useful measurements:
Equivalent Weights And Measures
1 cm - 0.39 inches
1 meter - 3.28 feet / 1.09 yards
1 km - 0.62 miles
1 liter - 0.26 gallons
1 inch - 2.54 cm
1 foot - 0.39 meters
1 yard - 0.91 meters
1 mile - 1.60 km
1 gal. - 3.78 liters

Czech Republic Holidays:
1 January - New Year, Independent Czech State Renewal Day
March or April (varies) Easter Monday
1 May - Labor Day
8 May - Liberation Day (1945)
5 July - Cyril and Methodius Day - the Slavic Christianity Prophets
6 July - Master John Hus burning at the stake (1415)
28 September - Czech Statehood Day
28 October - Independent Czechoslovak State Proclamation Day (1918)
17 November - Day of Fight for Freedom and Democracy
24 December - Christmas Eve
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - St. Stephen's Day

Visas:
US travelers just need a valid passport (no visa).

Electricity: 220V, 50 Hz Electrical sockets take plugs with two round prongs or sometimes three. American appliances will need a plug adapter and will require a transformer if they do not have a dual voltage capability. Most hotels will supply guests with an ironing board and iron if requested.

Lost and Found Office:
Praha 1, Karoliny Svetle 5
Phone 2423 5085

Money:
The unit of currency in the Czech Republic is the koruna, or crown (Kc), which is divided into 100 halér, or halers. There are (little-used) coins of 10, 20, and 50 halers; coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 Kc, and notes of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 5,000 Kc. The 1,000-Kc note may not always be accepted for small purchases, because the proprietor may not have enough change.

Changing Money:
Try to avoid exchanging money at hotels or private exchange booths, including the Cekobanka and Exact Change booths. They routinely take commissions of 8%-10%. The best place to exchange is at bank counters, where the commissions average 1%-3%, or at ATMs. The koruna became fully convertible late in 1995, and can now be purchased outside the country and exchanged into other currencies. Ask about current regulations when you change money, however, and keep your receipts.