Bohemia
a former Kingdom of Europe, and, until 1918 a crownland and titular kingdom of Austria; now a part of the republic of Czecho-Slovakia. It is bounded by Bavaria, Saxony, the Prussian province of Silesia, Moravia, and the Archduchy of Austria; area 20,223 square miles; pop. about 7,000,000. The prevailing religion is the Roman Catholic, ic, the country being an archbishopric with three bishoprics. The language of the country is the Czech dialect of the Slavonic in some districts, and in most of the cities German is spoken. Bohemia is surrounded on all sides by mountains, and has many large forests. Its plains are remarkably fertile. The chief rivers are the Elbe and its tributary the Moldau, which is even larger.
Productions. All sorts of grain are produced in abundance, as also large quantities of potatoes, pulse, sugar beet, flax, hops (the best in Europe), and fruits. Wine is not abundant. The raising of sheep, horses, swine and poultry is carried on to a considerable extent.
The mines yield silver, copper, lead, tin, zinc, iron, cobalt, arsenic, uranium, antimony, alum, sulphur, plumbago and coal. There are numerous mineral springs, but little salt. Spinning and weaving of linen, cotton and woolen goods are extensively carried on; manufactures of lace, metal and wood work, machinery, chemical products, beet root sugar, pot- BOHEMIA BOHOL tery, porcelain, etc., are also largely succeeded in 1310, and governed Bohemia developed. Large quantities of beer (Pilsener) are exported. Prior to the World War the glassware of Bohemia, which is known all over Europe, employed over 50,000 workers. The trade, partly transit, was extensive, Prague, the capital, being the center of it. The largest towns are Prague, Pilsen, Reichenberg, Budweis, Teplitz, Aussig and Eger. The educational establishments include the Prague University and upward of 5,000 ordinary schools.
Literature. Bohemia possesses a literature of considerable bulk, including in it also works written in Czech by Moravian and Hungarian writers. The earliest fragment is doubtfully referred to the 10th century, and it was not till after the 13th century that it attained to any development. The most flourishing period of the older literature falls within 1409-1620, John Huss (1369-1415) having initiated a new era, which, however, is more fertile in prose works than' in poetry. The following period, up to the beginning of the 19th century, was one of decline, but in recent times there has been a great revival, and in almost all departments Bohemian writers have produced works of merit. till 1437, the reign of Charles II. (1346- 1378) being especially prosperous.
Toward the close of this second dynasty civil wars were excited by the spread of the Hussite movement, the central figure of the struggle being John Ziska, the leader of the Taborites. A temporary union between the moderate Hussites and the Catholics having proved a failure, the Reformed Party elected as king, in 1433, the Protestant noble, George Podibrad. On his death, in 1471, they chose Wladislas, son of Casimir, King of Poland, who also obtained the crown of Hungary. His son Louis lost both crowns with his life in the battle of Mohacz against the Turks, and Ferdinand of Austria became, in 1527, sovereign of both kingdoms. Bohemia then los lost its separate existence, being declared a hereditary possession of the house of Austria; and its subsequent history pertains to that of the Austrian Empire. In 1848 an attempt was made to assert its ancient independence against the Austrian dominion; a conflict took place, Prague was bombarded, and the insurrection suppressed. For the later history of Bohemia see CZECHO-SLOVAKIA; AUSTRIA, and WORLD WAR.