Prague

Prague is one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. Since it wasn't hit by bomber raids in WW II, Prague's buildings survived almost unscathed. The various mansions and edifices speak of a colorful history dating back a thousand years, their styles as diverse as the population of Prague itself.

The city is home to everything from Slovaks, Bosniaks, and Germans, to Gypsies and many others. This diversity stems from the fact that Prague has always been a stopping point for one of the oldest and most important land routes in Europe—the corridor from the North European plain to the Danube. This has always brought trade—and a Europe-wide influx of people—to Prague. Of these people, three groups that have a particular influence in today's city life: the Germans, the Jews and the students.

Prague was always home to a large Jewish ghetto. Barely 5000 of the original 30,000 survived the Nazis, but the Jews persisted anyway. Of course, the ghetto has long since been eliminated, while many modem jewish centers dot the city. The most recent event for the Jewish community was the Mid-East Meltdown. It brought many Jews seeking shelter in Prague. As a result, the number of Jews rose to more than 35,000. you might think makes the community a ripe target for Muslim hardliners, but a number of the immigrants are ex-soldiers still protecting their people. Defence training has begun among the younger Jews in case the persecutions start again.

Germany also has a long history in Prague. Wenzel a 13th century king, drew many Germans to his city and his court Charles V. continued this tradition; he chose Prague the site of the first university in German-speaking lands. The German community continued growing until the midd-19th century, when about 50% percent of Prague spoke German as their first language.

Recently, German-speakers have increased as German firms that imported managerial staff. Thus, the German influence is steadily increasing, making the Czech population somewhat wary. But still, they bring cash and that's what really counts, neh?

Prague's Germans face an immediate threat from the 3000 group. Since the advent of these terrorists, there have been a total of 69 hits on German installations and citizens. Today, paranoia is the name of the game for German civilians in Prague.

The University of Prague, a centre of German teaming and culture, is also home to wide variety of opinions. From church reformers in the 7th century to the Prague Spring of '68, it has always been a centre of revolutionary ideas. Today the university is a battlefield of clashing cultural drifts, most notably, nationalism vs. humanistic communism. The vocal battles within the Carolinum are only the most visible sign of what's going on in Prague's academic population. The students, as always, carry new ideas and spread them to the best of their ability, via anti-German demonstrations, reemerging communist theories, or whatever. Many groups are moving to gain influence in campus politics. Officially, the university is non-politic, but in reality, the various professors use their positions to influence students. Thus Germans, Czech nationalists, socialists and others try to install their favorite professors.

Aside from political battles, Prague thrives as always. Business people from all over Europe walk its streets and sign deals in its rustic restaurants.