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Chapter One THE CZECH REPUBLIC’S GEOGRAPHY & LANDSCAPE

D obr den! Welcome to the Czech Republic. This new nation, nestled in the heart of Central Europe, has historically been a bridge between the nations of East and West. Now, as the formerly communist countries of Eastern Europe reach for the growth and prosperity of their neighbors to the west, the Czech Republic is poised to become a center for trade and education once again. The Czech Republic is a small country, about the same size as the state of South Carolina. The country is landlocked , having no bordering seas, but it does border four other countries: Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia.

ABOVE: The Brno Reservoir was created by damming the Svratka River. The dam is located just outside the city of Brno, Moravia. The dam is used to generate hydroelectricity.

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