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 =
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}}
*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]]