Prague

The districts on the western bank of the river are mainly resi dential, with the exception of Holegovice-Bubna, and are domi nated by Hrackany hill, on the summit of which lies the vast fortified palace of the ancient kings of Bohemia, now the head quarters of the Czechoslovak Government and the residence of the president. In the centre of the palace area stands the cathedral of St. Vitus, founded in 93o by the prince-saint Wenceslas, re built by Charles IV. and restored in recent times; castle and cathedral epitomize the history of the Czech State.

Industries, Education, etc.

Prague is pre-eminently the financial centre and the first manufacturing town of Czechoslo vakia, including in its varied industries flour-milling, sugar-refin ing, brewing, tanning, the preparation of fertilizers and chemicals and the manufacture of furniture, foodstuffs and all types of heavy machinery, notably agricultural implements, rolling stock and river-barges. The re-orientation of the railways in Czechoslovakia has centralized traffic upon the capital, where electrification and enlargement are in progress, while it is also the terminus of Elbe Vltava shipping; rapid progress is also being made in the direc tion of making it a centre of commercial aviation. The trade of the city was stimulated in 1920 by the establishment of a sample fair held twice a year and through which it is recovering much of its early importance as a leading centre of European trade.

Culturally too Prague is recovering its ancient leadership through its Czech and German universities and technical schools, while the charm of its numerous handsome buildings and monu ments with historical associations, and the attraction of their architecture, even of the many flamboyant examples of Baroque style, are responsible for a growing number of foreign visitors.

The population numbered 676,657 in 1921, 94-2% Czech and 4.6% German. Of the total 468,375 live on the right, the re mainder on the left bank of the river, 395,119 are Roman Cath olics, 30,961 Protestants, 85,96o belong to the Czechoslovak church, 31,751 are of the Jewish faith and 127,676 are without any confession. In 1930 the total population was 848,081.

See also under CZECHOSLOVAKIA and BOHEMIA, and Count Liitzow, Prague in "Mediaeval Towns" Series (1002) ; H. Rudolphi, Lage, Ent wickelung and Bedeutung von Prag, Geog.: Zeitschrift (Leipzig, 1916) , J. Moscheles, Prague, Geografiska Annaler (Stockholm, 192o) ; for a complete demographic study (in Czech and French) see Dr. A. Boha',, Hlvavni Mesto Praha (Prague, 1923). (W. S. L.) Battle of Prague, May 6, 1757.—This, the first great victory of Frederick the Great over the Austrians in the SEVEN YEARS' WAR, is described under the latter heading. The town also gives its name to other battles, notably that of 1620, the first important battle in the THIRTY YEARS' WAR (q.v.).