Czech Republic, about the size of the U.S. State of New York, became a separate country in 1993, when the former Czechoslovakia peacefully split into two parts: Czech and Slovak Republics.  Czech Republic consists of two major regions: Bohemia in the west and Moravia in the east. Places to visit: Prague;
spas: Marienbad; and  small towns: Cesky Krumlov and Telc;  and themes to examine: architectural styles; and the countryside.

In August 2002, Eastern Europe -- particularly Czech Republic and eastern Germany -- experienced flooding that had not been seen in over 100 years, some say in 500 years. In Prague, the Vlava River, a tributary of the Elbe River, almost covered the Charles bridge (photo on the left) and covered several islands in the river (lower photo looking towards the Prague Castle District). Although the Old Town was not flooded directly, in the Jewish Quarter rising ground water flooded two famous synagogues -- the Old-New Synagogue and Pinkas Synagogue (the names of 77,297 Holocaust victims are etched in its walls) -- with 3 and 6.5 feet, respectively. Parts of the Prague subway were flooded and may not be opened until 2003. Elsewhere in the country, floods damaged the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov. [Map source: The Economist, 24 August 2002; and photo source: Associated Press]