It's time to get out your globe! You need to know about the imaginary lines on globes and maps. These lines are called lines of latitude and longitude, and they tell a pilot or ship's captain exactly where in the world a certain place is located. Basically, latitude lines (also called parallels) are the horizontal lines on your map. Lines of longitude (also called meridians) are the vertical lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. This mapping system is written in degrees and uses the symbol °. Get ready to travel the world!

In Central Europe, east of Germany, there is a small country called the Czech Republic. To find it, get out your globe, and find longitude 15º E and latitude 49º N. This tiny country is smaller than the U.S. state of South Carolina. Czech Republic is a land-locked country, which means it is bordered by land, not water. However, water from the country's rivers flows to three seas - the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Black Sea. It is bordered by the countries of Austria, Germany, Poland and Slovakia.

The country was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until after World War I. It then became an independent country called Czechoslovakia in 1918. This new country was made up of regions of Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Slovakia and Carpathian Ruthenia. In 1993, the country split into Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Czech Republic has a temperate climate with cool summers and cold winters. The land has gently rolling plains, hills, plateaus and low mountains. The capital of Prague is one of the most visited cities in Europe. Tourism is very important to the economy. Czech Republic is one of the most prosperous countries in Central Europe. The top industries are automobiles, machinery and equipment and metal work. The Czech people love the sports of ice hockey and soccer (football). The country is also known for its puppetry and marionettes.

Sources: The World Factbook prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency.