Prague is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Europe. The capital of the Czech Republic is situated in the heart of Europe with Germany, Austria, Poland and Slovakia as the neighbouring countries. Thanks to its position, Prague is easily accessible by all means of transport and it is a major transport hub in Central Europe. With a population of 1 260 000 inhabitants it is the most important city within the Czech Republic, the centre of culture, economy, international relations and education, the seat of political bodies of the state. It is the most dynamic and successful region in the country which creates one quarter of the gross domestic product. Prague has always played an important role in the history of the country and in Central Europe. The history of the city dates back to the 9th century. As early as in the Middle Ages, Prague had the reputation of one of the most beautiful towns in Europe, in 1348 the University was founded, the first one in Central Europe. Eleven centuries of rich history, great architecture, arts and culture together with a superb natural position created a unique atmosphere, which attracts tourists from the whole world. It is daily visited by over 100 000 tourists. Since 1992, the historic town centre, which extends over an area of 866 ha, has been included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage list as the largest municipal heritage area in the world. But Prague is also an important destination for trade fairs, congresses, business and shopping. In the course of centuries, many prominent personalities have been paying their tribute to Prague – musicians (W. A. Mozart, L. van Beethoven, P. I. Tschaikovski), writers (G. Apollinaire F. M. Dostoievski) or artists (A. Rodin, O. Kokoschka).