Why the Czech Republic is Now Called Czechia
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Loading... - Edrice Sabry
- 06 Aug 2024
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The country formerly known as the Czech Republic is increasingly being referred to as 'Czechia' in various contexts such as sports events, literature, and the media. This change reflects a global trend where nations update their names for various reasons, including capturing geographical essence, shedding colonial legacies, or simplifying usage.
Historical Context and Name Changes
Many countries have undergone name changes over the years. Zimbabwe was once known as Rhodesia, Thailand as Siam, Myanmar as Burma, and Iran as Persia. More recently, the Republic of Iceland simplified its name to just ‘Iceland’ in 2022, and Micronesia became the ‘Federated States of Micronesia’ in 2023.
The Transition to Czechia
Since 2016, 'Czechia' has been used as a shorter, more practical form of the Czech Republic. This simplified name is intended for everyday use, while the full name remains for official documents and formal contexts, similar to how 'France' is used versus the 'French Republic' in specific settings.
Practical Applications
'Czechia' is now the preferred term in informal and practical situations, such as in literary works, newspapers, and by representatives of the country like athletes. The national men’s football team is officially listed as 'Czechia' by UEFA and FIFA, and commentators and pundits use the term during football tournaments, including the UEFA Euros 2024. Moreover, the country's team for the Paris 2024 Olympics is officially called Team Czechia.
Historical Name Changes
The area now known as Czechia has a history of name changes. Historically, the region was referred to as Bohemia in English. The name Czechia was used as early as the 1990s when the area was part of Czechoslovakia. The Czech Republic was officially established after a peaceful split from Slovakia in 1992.
Official Adoption
Although the renaming became more widely acknowledged in 2023, the government of the Czech Republic had actually passed the resolution to adopt 'Czechia' back in 2016. This move aims to streamline the country's identity on the global stage and facilitate easier international recognition and usage.
In summary, the adoption of the name 'Czechia' marks a significant step in the country’s effort to modernize and simplify its international identity, aligning with a global trend of countries rebranding themselves for various practical and symbolic reasons.
