EU - Tourism in C. Europe: From cultural heritage to spas<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
If you ask Indonesians about their favorite holiday
\ndestinations abroad, you will get many different answers. Some
\nmay mention Asian countries like Thailand, China, South Korea and
\nJapan; others may prefer the United States, Australia or a
\nEuropean country like France or the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
What about Central Europe?<\/p>\n
While this area is not popular among Indonesians, it doesn't
\nmean Central European countries are not worth visiting. On the
\ncontrary, this part of the world has many countries with
\nfascinating tourist spots, from rich cultural treasures to
\nbreath-taking natural panorama.<\/p>\n
\"I was in Hungary in the 1970s. It was a long time ago, but I
\nstill remember how beautiful it was,\" senior economist Frans Seda
\nrecalled. \"I was particularly deeply impressed with their
\ncultural heritage.\"<\/p>\n
\"With more promotion, I am sure that Central Europe will draw
\nmore visitors from Indonesia,\" he said.<\/p>\n
It's a good time for the promotion as four Central European
\ncountries -- Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary --
\nare making history on May 1, when they officially join the
\nEuropean Union (EU).<\/p>\n
Besides these four countries, there are six others -- Cyprus,
\nEstonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, and Slovenia -- which will
\nbecome new EU members on the same day, taking the total number of
\nEU members from 15 to 25.<\/p>\n
The 10 new members are relatively poorer than the EU average
\nand one of the first priorities of the enlarged union is to raise
\ntheir living standards. This means that there will be more
\nopportunities for the new members to boost their economic growth
\nand develop themselves in all areas, including tourism.<\/p>\n
Tourism is expected to contribute significantly to the
\neconomies in these new EU countries, whose tourist industries
\nhave already grown since the collapse of the former Soviet Union.<\/p>\n
Below is the brief information on four new EU members: Poland,
\nthe Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary:<\/p>\n
Poland<\/p>\n
The country, with Warsaw as the capital, has a population of
\n38.2 million and the country covers an area of 313,000 square
\nkilometers.<\/p>\n
Poland is by far the largest of the new member countries. The
\nPolish state reaches back more than 1,000 years and has been in
\nthe mainstream of Europe's cultural and political development
\nsince the Middle Ages. In the 16th century, it was one of the
\nmost powerful countries in Europe.<\/p>\n
Poland has one of Europe's largest farming populations and is
\nrich in mineral resources, including coal, several metals and
\nrock salts. The Wieliczka salt mine, which dates from the 13th
\ncentury, is among the world's oldest industrial enterprises still
\nin continuous operation. Cracow, the country's third largest
\ncity is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, founded
\nin 1364.<\/p>\n
The Czech Republic<\/p>\n
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, which covers
\n79,000 square kilometers area and has a 10.2 million population.<\/p>\n
The Czech lands were part of the Habsburg Empire for 300
\nyears. They became independent as part of Czechoslovakia in 1919.
\nThe country was one of the 10 most industrialized states before
\nWorld War II. It split peacefully into the Czech and Slovak
\nRepublics in 1993.<\/p>\n
Prague is more than 1,000 years old with a wealth of historic
\narchitecture of different styles. It is one of the most visited
\ncities in Europe, second only to Paris in the number of foreign
\ntourists. The Czech Republic produces world-famous beer as well
\nas mineral water from more than 900 natural springs, which is a
\nworld record.<\/p>\n
Throughout the centuries Prague preserved its richness of
\nhistorical monuments of different styles. Romanesque, Gothic,
\nRenaissance, Baroque, Art Nouveau and cubism form a unique
\naesthetic unit.<\/p>\n
Goethe called this country a continent within a continent
\nbecause \"it has everything a continent needs except a coastline\".
\nWith hills, highlands and mountains covering more than 95 percent
\nof it territory, it is ideal for skiing, mountain biking and
\nhiking.<\/p>\n
Slovakia<\/p>\n
Slovakia has a population of 5.4 million and an area of 49,000
\nsquare kilometers. Its capital is Bratislava.<\/p>\n
It became an independent state only after its split with the
\nCzech Republic in 1993. At that time it had to build a central
\nadministration and separate monetary, banking and tax systems
\nfrom scratch.<\/p>\n
Bratislava, which lies on the Danube, has a rich heritage of
\nmedieval and baroque architecture. The fortifications on many
\nhilltops bear witness to Slovakia's long history of invasions.
\nThe capital city is undergoing rapid modernization; the old
\ndistricts offer a wide range of medieval and baroque architecture
\nrestored to its former glory. The Gothic style also contributes
\ngenerously to the great variety of the architectural heritage
\nthere.<\/p>\n
Deep under the ground, there are bizarre caves and thermal and
\nmineral springs, giving rise to the building of spa towns.<\/p>\n
Hungary<\/p>\n
Hungary, which has a 10.1 million population covers 93,000
\nsquare kilometers with Budapest as the capital.<\/p>\n
The two halves of the capital city, Buda and Pest, straddle
\nthe Danube, several hundred kilometers downstream from
\nBratislava. The city is rich in history and culture and famed for
\nits curative springs.<\/p>\n
The west of the country is hilly, the east flat and fertile.
\nLake Balaton, a popular tourist destination, is the largest lake
\nin Central Europe -- it is a highly popular resort, much favored
\nby sailing, rowing and windsurfing enthusiasts. It covers an area
\nof some 600 square kilometers but is only three meters deep on
\naverage.<\/p>\n
Hungary is a highly musical country and its violinists are
\nparticularly celebrated.<\/p>",
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