Czechs 151873 225326192 2008-07-13T02:52:33Z Utcursch 54809 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/76.250.204.220|76.250.204.220]] ([[User talk:76.250.204.220|talk]]) to last version by Selfworm {{Infobox Ethnic group |group=Czechs |image=[[Image:Czh-3.JPG|300px|Comenius, Jan Hus, Frantisek Palacky, Jan Evangelista Purkinje, Charles IV, Alfons Mucha, Vratislav II, Bedřich Smetana]]<div style="background-color:#fee8ab"><small><small>[[Comenius]] • [[Jan Hus]] • [[Frantisek Palacky|František Palacký]] • [[Jan Evangelista Purkinje|Jan Evangelista Purkyně]] <br />[[Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles IV]] • [[Alfons Mucha]] • [[Vratislaus II|Vratislaus II of Bohemia]] • [[Bedřich Smetana]]</small></small> |poptime=over 12 million |popplace= {{CZE}}: 9,246,784 (July 2007 est.)<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/ez.html CIA - The World Factbook - Czech Republic<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> {{USA}}: 1,462,413<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-qr_name=ACS_2004_EST_G00_DP2&-ds_name=ACS_2004_EST_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on 2004 survey]</ref> {{BRA}}: 540,000<ref>{{cite web | last = Moschella | first = Alexandre | publisher = Editora Globo | title = Edição 214, Um atalho para a Europa | url = http://epoca.globo.com/edic/214/soci1a.htm | accessdate = 2008-01-31 }}</ref> {{GBR}}: 30,000 - 90,000<br> {{CAN}}: 79,915 (2001)<ref>{{ cite web | title = Statistics Canada | url = http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/highlight/ETO/Table1.cfm?Lang=E&T=501&GV=1&GID=0 }}</ref> {{GER}}: 20,000-50,000<br> {{SVK}}: 46,000<br> {{ARG}}: 38,000<br> {{AUS}}: 21,196<ref>[http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au 2006 census Data : View by Location<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> {{AUT}}: 20,000 {{CHE}}: 20,000 {{UKR}}: 11,000 {{FRA}}: 10,731 (1990)<br> {{HRV}}: 10,510 (2001) {{ISR}}: 8,000 {{SWE}}: 7,175 (2001) {{IRL}}: 5,278<ref>[http://www.cso.ie/statistics/placebirthagegroup.htm CSO - Statistics: Persons usually resident and present in the State on Census Night, classified by place of birth and age group<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><br> {{ESP}}: 5,622 (2006) {{RUS}}: 5,000~6,000 {{NLD}}: 3,500<br> {{ROU}}: 3,339 (2002) {{POL}}: 3,000<br> {{ZAF}}: 2,300<br> {{SRB}}: 2,211 (2002) {{MEX}}: 2,000 {{BIH}}: 600~1,000<ref>http://www.bosna.unas.cz/bosnacesko.html</ref> {{BGR}}: 436 ''in the Czech Republic include''<br> * [[Moravia]]ns: 380,474 (2001) * [[Silesians]]: 10,878 (2001) |langs=[[Czech language|Czech]] |rels=[[Non-religious]] 59%, [[Roman Catholic]] 26.8%, [[Protestant]] 2.1%, other 3.3%, unspecified 8.8%<ref>''[http://www.czso.cz/eng/edicniplan.nsf/t/3E0041D4D1/$File/4032060119.pdf 1-19 Population by denomination and sex: as measured by 1921, 1930, 1950, 1991 and 2001 censuses]'' ([[PDF]]), ''[http://www.czso.cz/eng/edicniplan.nsf/p/4032-06 Czech Demographic Handbook 2006]''.</ref> |related=other [[West Slavs]]<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article-9378866?query=slavs&ct= Slav - Britannica Concise Encyclopedia - The online encyclopedia you can trust!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> }} '''Czechs''' ({{lang-cs|Češi}} [{{IPA|͡tʃɛʃɪ}}], [[archaism|archaic]] {{lang-cs|Čechové}} [{{IPA|͡tʃɛxɔvɛː}}]) are a [[West Slavs|western Slavic]] people of [[Central Europe]], living predominantly in the [[Czech Republic]]. Small populations of Czechs also live in [[Slovakia]], [[Austria]], [[United States|U.S.]], [[Brazil]], [[Argentina]], [[Canada]], [[Germany]], [[Russia]] and other countries. They speak the [[Czech language]], which is closely related to the [[Slovak language]].<ref>[http://www.omniglot.com/writing/czech.htm Czech language, alphabet and pronunciation<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Among the ancestors of the Czechs are ancient [[Slavic tribes]] who inhabited the regions of [[Bohemia]], [[Moravia]], and [[Silesia]] from the 6th century onwards. ==History== {{Expand|section|date=February 2008}} The Czechs are descended from ancient [[Slavic tribes]] and are related to both the [[Celts]] and the [[Goths]]. The Slavic tribes have inhabited the regions of [[Bohemia]], [[Moravia]] and [[Silesia]] since the 6th century. According to a popular [[mythology|myth]], the Czechs come from a certain [[Forefather Čech]] who settled at [[Říp Mountain]]. ==Notable figures== ===Historical figures=== The most successful and influential of all Czech kings was [[Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles IV (Karel IV.)]], who also became the [[Holy Roman Emperor]].<ref>[http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech-history/king-charles-IV.html Charles IV (Karel IV.) - Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[Luxembourg dynasty]] represents the heights of Czech (Bohemian) statehood territorial and influence as well as advancement in many areas of human endeavors.<ref>[http://www.travel.cz/guide/263/index_en.html Travel guide - Luxembourg dynasty (1310 - 1378) - accommodation in hotels and apartments<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Many people are considered national heroes and cultural icons, many national stories concern their lives. [[Jan Hus]] was a religious reformist from the 1400s.<ref>[http://www2.kenyon.edu/projects/margin/hus2.htm Jan Hus<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The ''teacher of nations'' [[John Amos Comenius|Jan Amos Komenský]] is also considered a notable figure in Czech history.<ref>[http://www.apuritansmind.com/ChristianWalk/McMahonComenius.htm Jan Amos Comenius<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Josef Jungmann]] is often credited for expanding the modern Czech language, and preventing its extinction.<ref>[http://www.vitejte.cz/objekt.php?oid=4378&j=en VITEJTE.CZ : Josef Jungmann (1773-1847),Josef Jungmann (1773-1847),Josef Jungmann (1773-1847)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Mythology=== There are also ancient folk stories about the Czech people, such as the [[Forefather Čech]], who according to legend brought the tribe of Czechs into its land,<ref>[http://users.aol.com/jjnowicki/poleagle.htm The Polish Eagle<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> or [[Přemysl, the Ploughman]],<ref>[http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:ftUk2O2uzuIJ:cesp.vse.cz/files/1H-Premysl.doc+P%C5%99emysl,+the+Ploughman&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=ca]</ref> who started the dynasty that ruled for 400 years until 1306. ===Modern politicians=== One of the most notable [[Velvet Revolution]] figures is [[Václav Havel]], who became the first [[List of presidents of the Czech Republic|president]] of the independent [[Czech Republic]].<ref>[http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/vhavel.htm Václav Havel<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The current president (2nd) is [[Václav Klaus]].<ref>[http://www.radio.cz/en/article/36022 VACLAV HAVEL - Radio Prague<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Image:Václav Havel 9. června 2006, Café d'Europe.jpg|thumb|left|First Czech President Václav Havel]]The Czech Republic has had multiple [[List of Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic|prime ministers]] the first of which was latter president Klaus, the second under Havel was [[Josef Tošovský]]<ref>[http://www.vlada.cz/dokument458.html Vláda České republiky | Jmenný rejstřík předsedů vlád<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and the last prime minister under Havel was prominent [[Czech Social Democratic Party|CSSD]] member [[Miloš Zeman]].<ref>[http://www.radio.cz/en/article/29360 Milos Zeman - outgoing prime minister - 19-06-2002 - Radio Prague<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> So far Klaus has had four prime ministers, the current one being [[Mirek Topolánek]] ([[Civic Democratic Party|ODS]]).<ref>[http://www.topolanek.cz/index.php?p=42 Mirek Topolánek<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Sports=== Sports have also been a contributor to famous Czechs especially [[tennis]], [[soccer]], [[hockey]] and [[Athletics (track and field)|athletics]]. *Tennis- [[Ivan Lendl]], [[Martina Navrátilová]]<ref>[http://www.czechsite.com/czechs.html CzechSite: Famous Czechs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *Soccer- [[Antonín Panenka]],<ref>[http://www.radio.cz/en/article/92571 Antonin Panenka - the footballer Pele described as "either a genius or a madman" - 20-06-2007 10:19 UTC - Radio Prague<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Josef Masopust]]<ref>{{cite web | last = Josef | first = Ladislav | title = Masopust's memory lingers on | url = http://www.uefa.com/uefa/history/associationweeks/association=58837/newsId=144731.html | accessdate = 2008-02-01 }}</ref> *Hockey- [[Jaromír Jágr]], [[Dominik Hašek]]<ref name="Czechsite">[http://www.czechsite.com/czechs.html CzechSite: Famous Czechs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *Athletics - [[Emil Zátopek]], [[Roman Šebrle]] ===The arts=== The Czechs are accomplished in the field of [[literature]], [[painting]] and [[music]]. [[Poet]] [[Jaroslav Seifert]] was awarded the [[Nobel Literature Prize]].<ref name="Czechsite"/> [[Božena Němcová]] has become a cultural icon and gained much fame for her book [[The Grandmother|Babička]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Partridge | first = James | title = Book Review: The Grandmother | url = http://www.ce-review.org/99/7/books7_partridge.html | publisher = Central Europe Review | accessdate = 2008-02-10 }}</ref> Writer [[Franz Kafka]] (born in Prague) wrote most of his works in [[Prague]] (although in [[German language|German]]).<ref>{{cite web | title = Franz Kafka (1883-1924) | url = http://www.levity.com/corduroy/kafka.htm | publisher = Grolier Incorporated | date = 1993 | accessdate = 2008-02-10 }}</ref>[[Image:Kg-foto13.jpg|thumb|right|[[Karel Gott]], singer]] [[Mikoláš Aleš]] was a [[painter]], known for redesigning the [[Prague National Theatre]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Tyman | first = Jaroslav | title = Mikoláš Aleš | url = http://www.mikolasales.org/ | accessdate = 2008-02-11 }}</ref> Composers [[Bedřich Smetana]] and [[Antonín Dvořák]] have also been praised and the latter continued his work in [[New York]], [[USA]].<ref name="Czechsite"/> [[Film director]] [[Miloš Forman]], known best for his [[Film|movie]], ''[[One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film)|One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest]]'' is of Czech origin and started his career in the Czech Republic.<ref>{{cite web | last = Erickson | first = Hal | title = Milos Forman, biography | url = http://www.milosforman.com/bio.html | publisher = All Movie Guide | accessdate = 2008-02-10 }}</ref> National performers such as [[Karel Kryl]],<ref>[http://www.karelkryl.com/kryl/kryl-com/index_english.html Karel Kryl<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Helena Vondráčková]],<ref>[http://www.vondrackova.net/index-aj.php The official website of Helena Vondráčková®<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Karel Gott]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Karel Gott | url = http://www.czech.cz/en/czech-republic/history/famous-czechs-of-the-past-century/karel-gott/ | publisher = Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic | accessdate = 2008-02-01 }}</ref> (singers), [[Zdeněk Svěrák]] (director and actor), [[Vlastimil Brodský]],<ref>[http://www.worldpress.org/Europe/566.cfm Vlastimil Brodsky - Czech Film - Worldpress.org<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Vladimír Menšík]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Czech-Slovak film Database, Vladimír Menšík | url = http://www.csfd.cz/herec/1548-mensik-vladimir/ | publisher = POMO Media Group | accessdate = 2008-02-11 }}</ref> (actors) or [[Ivan Mládek]] (comedian), have also made a mark in modern Czech history. ===Saints=== Many Bohemian [[saints]] benefited the Czech culture,<ref>{{cite book | last = Maurice | first = Edmund | title = The story of Bohemia from the earliest times to the fall of national independence in 1620;: With a short summary of later events | url = http://www.amazon.com/story-Bohemia-earliest-national-independence/dp/B000892VW8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201894692&sr=8-1 | date = 1908 | publisher = Fisher, Unwin }}</ref> most notably [[Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia|St. Wenceslaus (Václav)]], patron of the Czech nation,<ref>{{cite web | las = Mershman | first = Francis | title = St. Wenceslaus | url = http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15587b.htm | publisher = Kevin Knight | accessdate = 2008-02-10 }}</ref> [[John of Nepomuk|St. John of Nepomuk (Jan Nepomucký)]],<ref>{{cite web | last = Krčmář | first = Luděk | title = St. John of Nepomuk - life | url = http://www.sjn.cz/eng/st_john.htm | publisher = MultiMedia Activity | accessdate = 2008-02-10 }}</ref> [[Adalbert of Prague|St. Adalbert (Vojtěch)]]<ref>*Attwater, Donald and Catherine Rachel John. ''The Penguin Dictionary of Saints''. 3rd edition. New York: Penguin Books, 1993. ISBN 0-140-51312-4.</ref> or [[Agnes of Bohemia|St. Agnes of Bohemia (Anežka Česká)]].<ref>[http://blessed-gerard.org/redstar.htm Order of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star - 757 years<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==Geography== [[Image:Ez-map.png|left|thumb|Simple map of the Czech Republic]] The [[Czech Republic]] is divided into three political subdivisions: [[Bohemia]], [[Moravia]] and [[Silesia]],<ref>[http://members.tripod.com/~zlimpkk/Genealogy/admin.html Political subdivision of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> the country is divided into 14 regions<ref>[http://www.czech.cz/en/czech-republic/geography/area-size/ Area size - Czech republic<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. There is a slightly varying culture in each of the divisions.<ref>[http://www.czech.cz/en/culture/regions-attractivity-and-diversity/ Czech regions - Czech republic<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Each part speaks [[Czech Language|Czech]] but there are certain local dialects.<ref>[http://www.nvtc.gov/lotw/months/december/Czech.html#dial Czech<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==Czech language== {{main|Czech Language}} {{see also|History of the Czech language}} The Czech language is spoken by approximately 12 million people around the world including most of the people in the [[Czech Republic]].<ref name="Czechl">{{cite web | title = Czech Language | url = http://www.czech.cz/en/culture/czech-arts/czech-language-and-literature/the-czech-language/ | publisher = Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic | accessdate = 2008-02-01 }}</ref> It developed from the [[Proto-Slavic language]] in the 10th century<ref>http://www.kortlandt.nl/publications/art066e.pdf</ref><ref name="Czechl"/> and is mutually intelligible with the [[Slovakian language]].<ref>[http://www.czech-language.cz/overview/origin.html The Czech Language on WWW<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==External links== *[http://www.czech.cz/en/czech-republic/history/ Official Czech website, links to multiple articles regarding the Czech people.] ==See also== * [[List of Czechs]] * [[Demographics of the Czech Republic]] * [[Největší Čech|The Greatest Czech]] * [[Czech American]] * [[Czech British]] * [[Czech Canadian]] == Further reading == * {{cite journal | quotes = | last = Hroch | first = Miroslav | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2004 | month = | title = From ethnic group toward the modern nation: the Czech case | journal = [[Nations and Nationalism]] | volume = 10 | issue = 1/2 | pages = 95–107 | issn = | pmid = | doi = | id = | url = | language = | format = | accessdate = | laysummary = | laysource = | laydate = | quote = }} *Berka, Petr and Palan, Ales and Stastny, Petr: Xenophobe´s Guide to the Czechs, Oval Books, London, 2008 *Holy, Ladislav: The Little and the Great Czech Nation, Cambridge University, 1996 ==References== {{reflist|2}} [[Category:Ethnic groups in the Czech Republic]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in Europe]] [[Category:Slavic nations]] [[be:Чэхі]] [[bg:Чехи]] [[cs:Češi]] [[de:Tschechen]] [[eo:Ĉeĥoj]] [[fr:Tchèques]] [[ko:체코인]] [[hr:Česi]] [[id:Bangsa Ceko]] [[it:Cechi]] [[ka:ჩეხები]] [[hu:Csehek]] [[mk:Чеси]] [[nl:Tsjechen]] [[ja:チェコ人]] [[pl:Czesi]] [[pt:Tchecos]] [[ro:Cehi]] [[ru:Чехи]] [[sk:Česi]] [[sl:Čehi]] [[sr:Чеси]] [[sh:Česi]] [[fi:Tšekit]] [[sv:Tjecker]] [[uk:Чехи]] [[zh:捷克人]]