The Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country borders Poland to the northeast, Germany to the west and northwest, Austria to the south and Slovak Republic to the east. The capital and largest city is Prague). The country is composed of the historic regions of Bohemia and Moravia, as well as parts of Silesia. The Czech Republic has been a member of NATO since 1999 and of the European Union since 2004. From 1 January 2009 to 1 July 2009, the Czech Republic held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Following the Battle of Mohács in 1526, the Czech lands fell under Habsburg rule, later becoming part of the Austrian Empire and Austria–Hungary. The independent Republic of Czechoslovakia was formed in 1918, following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire after World War I. After the Munich Agreement, German occupation of Czechoslovakia and the consequent disillusion with the Western response and gratitude for the liberation of the major portion of Czechoslovakia by the Red Army, the Communist party won plurality (38%)[4] in the 1946 elections. In a 1948 coup d'état, Czechoslovakia became a communist-ruled state. In 1968, the increasing dissatisfaction culminated in attempts to reform the communist regime. The events, known as the Prague Spring of 1968, ended with an invasion by the armies of the Warsaw Pact countries (with the exception of Romania); the troops remained in the country until the 1989 Velvet Revolution, when the communist regime collapsed. On 1 January 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully dissolved into its constituent states, the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. The Czech Republic is a pluralist multi-party parliamentary representative democracy. President Václav Klaus is the current head of state. The Prime Minister is the head of government (currently Jan Fischer). The Parliament has two chambers: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. It is also a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Council of Europe and the Visegrád Group. The Czech Republic made economic reforms such as fast privatizations. Annual gross domestic product growth has recently been around 6%. The country is the first former member of the Comecon to achieve the status of a developed country (2006), according to the World Bank.[5] The Czech Republic also ranks top among the former Comecon countries in the Human Development Index.

Prague Castle

Prague Castle is the largest medieval castle complex in Europe and the ancient seat of Czech kings throughout the ages. It is Prague's premier tourist attraction.
Several destructive wars and fires (and the subsequent renovations), along with differing political forces have combined to create an intriguing mix of palaces, churches and fortifications.
The Prague Castle complex consists of Saint Vitus Cathedral (the most recognisable landmark in the city), viewing towers, museums and art galleries, a monastery, Golden Lane, several palaces, including Lobkowicz Palace, and St. George's Basilica; the latter being a popular venue for early evening classical concerts.
The first known building on the site of Prague Castle was erected in the 9th century. In the 12th century it was replaced by a Romanesque palace. In the 14th century it was rebuilt in the Gothic style, under the reign of Charles IV.
A further reconstruction of the Royal Palace then took place under the Jagellons at the end of the 15th century.
Following a fire in 1541, Prague Castle underwent further works. The Spanish Hall was added during the reign of Rudolf II. And final alterations were made by Empress Maria Theresa, under the direction of the celebrated architect M. Pacassi.
After World War I, renovations to the castle buildings and to the Prague Castle Gardens were undertaken by the architect J. Plecnik.
Today, Prague Castle is the seat of the President of the Czech Republic and serves as the historical and political centre for both city and state.
The Changing of the Guard at the front gates takes place every hour. At noon the ceremony includes a fanfare.

from http://www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=601

Alice

Sport in Sweden

Stockholm's Olympiastadion
Sport activities are a national movement with half of the population actively participating, much thanks to the heavy government subsidies of sport associations (föreningsstöd). The two main spectator sports are football and ice hockey (several famous Swede ice hockey players include Mats Sundin, Peter Forsberg, Henrik Lundqvist, Markus Näslund, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Daniel Alfredsson, Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidström). Second to football, horse sports have the highest number of practitioners, mostly women. Thereafter follow golf, athletics, and the team sports of handball, floorball, basketball and bandy.
Sweden has been a very successful sport nation throughout the years, and has a row of sportsmen that are considered to be the best in history in their type of sport. Björn Borg is considered not only to be the most successful player in his genre of sport, tennis, but also to be one of the most successful players in the history of sports. Jan-Ove Waldner the table tennis player known as 'the Mozart of table tennis' is a legend in both his native Sweden as well as in China. Gunnar Nordahl (football player) is still the best goalscorer of all time with 225 goals in 291 matches, and remains record holder for the most goals in a season in Italy, with 35 goals 1949–1950. Skier Ingemar Stenmark is considered to be one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time with 86 World Cup Victories. The greatest female Golf player of all time is Annika Sörenstam; her 90 international tournament wins as a professional make her the female golf player with the most wins to her name. She also tops the LPGA's career money list.

Åre ski resort
The Swedish ice hockey team Tre Kronor is regarded as one of the very best in the world and has won the World Championships eight times, which makes them third in the medal count. They won Olympic gold medals in 1994 and 2006. In 2006, as the first nation in history, they won both the Olympic and world championships in the same year. The Swedish national football team has seen some success at the World Cup in the past, finishing second when they hosted the tournament in 1958, and third twice, in 1950 and 1994.

Ullevi is a stadium in Gothenburg. The stadium is also the biggest in Scandinavia.
Athletics has enjoyed a surge in popularity due to several successful athletes in recent years, such as: Carolina Klüft, Stefan Holm, Christian Olsson, Patrik Sjöberg, Johan Wissman, Kajsa Bergqvist.
Sweden is also the eighth most successful country in the Olympic games in history.
In schools, on meadows and in parks, the game brännboll, a sport similar to baseball, is commonly played for fun. Other leisure sports are the historical game of kubb, and boules among the older generation.
Sweden hosted the 1912 Summer Olympics and the FIFA World Cup in 1958. Other big sports events held here include 1992 UEFA European Football Championship, FIFA Women's World Cup 1995, and several championships of ice hockey, curling, athletics, skiing, bandy, figure skating and swimming.

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden#Sports

Alice

Sweden during World War

Sweden remained officially neutral during World War I and World War II, although its neutrality during World War II has been debated.[34][35] Sweden was under German influence for much of the war, as ties to the rest of the world were cut off through blockades.[34] The Swedish government felt that it was in no position to openly contest Germany,[36] and therefore made some concessions.[37] Sweden also supplied steel and machined parts to Germany throughout the war. However, Sweden supported Norwegian resistance, and in 1943 helped rescue Danish Jews from deportation to concentration camps. Toward the end of the war, Sweden began to play a role in humanitarian efforts and many refugees, among them many Jews from Nazi-occupied Europe, were saved partly because of the Swedish involvement in rescue missions at the internment camps and partly because Sweden served as a haven for refugees, primarily from the Nordic countries and the Baltic states.[36] Nevertheless, internal and external critics have argued that Sweden could have done more to resist the Nazi war effort, even if risking occupation.[36]

J...i...M

Gotland

Activities and Attractions on Gotland
Gotland has more to offer than limestone stacks safari and lazy days on the beach! Amongst the activities you´ll find everything from diving, cave exploring, golf, wind surfing, shooting and ocean kayak to horseback riding and kite-flying. Other attractions are the steam train railway and the Christmas market in Visby. Gotland offers almost unlimited resources of leisure and recreation for you to discover!
Yearly Events
Every week, there are always events going on on Gotland. From variety shows and the kite festival to big events like Round Gotland Race, organized by The Royal Swedish Yacht Club and the Medieval Week. Gotland Organ Week in the Cathedral St Mary of Visby is a week of organ music with concerts in the Cathedral and in the parish churches in the countryside. Other musical events are the Vadstuck Rock festival, the Gotland Chamber Music Festival with many international artists and the international Gotland Country and Folk Dancing Festival.There are many motor sports and racing events on Gotland. Gotland Grand National dirt bike competition in Tofta is Sweden’s biggest motorcycle competition. Gotland Ring is a multifunctional state-of-the-art motor facility. Many other events are organized every year on the island of Gotland.
Adventure and Sports
Horseback riding, nature trails, boat hire, ocean fishing, hiking areas and trail biking. The list of adventure activities on Gotland is very long! Stångaspelen, Gotland’s very own “Olympic Games”, is a competition in Gotlandic sports with activities including tossing the caber and the Gotland pentathlon. Also, golfers have many courses to choose from.
Beautiful Coastline and Silky Sand Beaches
Beaches lie within cycling distance and the ride along the cliffs is easily worth the negligible cost of renting a bike. If you get really tired, you can even take your bike on the bus. Gotland has many sandy beaches but also stony coastlines. Relax by taking long walks along the beaches. By the way - Gotland has Sweden’s sunshine record.
Arts, Museums and Theatre
During the summer the Roma Theatre ensemble performs Shakespeare’s plays in the monastery ruins of Roma. For more theatrical performances - visit the Gotland County Theatre. Other places to visit are the Gotland Museum of Fine Arts, the Muramaris artist villa and Bottarvegården, a cultural centre in the south of Gotland. Close to Visby are two car museums and in Havdhem there is a museum with vintage Farming vehicles.
Discover Our History
Gotland has many historic monuments, museums and ruins of churches and abbeys. More buried treasures have been found here in modern times than anywhere else in the world. The Historical Museum of Gotland shows treasures from the Viking era. Here you will meet the island´s 8000 years of very rich history with stories of brave medieval knights and Gotland’s last pirate. Another very special museum is the stone quarry museum in Bläse. All museums have guided tours.You can also learn about the history of the Vikings at the Viking Village, one of many exciting historical activities in the Gotlandic countryside. Also, the island has almost one hundred medieval churches, one in every parish. Take a guided walk through enchanting Visby and hear the city's tales and legends. The Visby Tourist Information Center sells tickets to sightseeings.

http://www.gotland.net/en

by Vineeta :))

Education in Sweden

Sweden has one of the best education systems in the world. Children aged 1–5 years old are guaranteed a place in a public kindergarten (Swedish: förskola or, colloquially, dagis). Between the ages of 6 and 16, children attend compulsory comprehensive school. Swedish 15-year-old pupils have the 22nd highest average score in PISA assessments, being neither significantly higher nor lower than the OECD average. After completing the 9th grade, about 90% of the students continue with a three-year upper secondary school (gymnasium), which can lead to both a job qualification or the entrance exam to university. The school system is largely financed by taxes. The Swedish government treats public and independent schools equally by introducing education vouchers in 1992 as one of the first countries in the world after The Netherlands. Anyone can establish a for-profit school and the municipality must pay new schools the same amount as municipal schools get. School lunch is free for all students in Sweden, which usually includes one or two different kinds of hot meals, a meal for vegetarians, salad bar, fruit, bread, and milk or water for drink. Some schools, especially kindergartens and middle schools, even serve breakfast for free to those who want to eat before school starts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden Cathy

The Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum is Scandinavia's most visited museum, located in Stockholm, capital of Sweden. The Museum was inaugurated in 1990. In the large shiphall stands the warship Vasa - the only remaining, intact 17th century ship in the world. The lower rig has been rebuilt, complete with masts, stays and shrouds.Just like the Vasa would have looked like when set for winter in harbour. The wreck, salvaged in 1961, is now once again a complete ship. Surrounding the ship are several permanent exhibitions, cinemas, a shop and a restaurant.


from:http://www.vasamuseet.se/InEnglish/about.aspx
Penny