Since the "Velvet Divorce" on January 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia no longer exists and has been replaced by two independent nations: the Czech Republic (officially also known by its short-form name, Czechia) and the Slovak Republic (commonly called Slovakia). In 2026, the term "Czechia" has become the standard English short name used by international organizations like the UN and the EU, though "Czech Republic" remains the formal political title. Both countries are vibrant members of the European Union and the Schengen Area. When traveling today, you are visiting two distinct cultures: Czechia is famous for its historic Bohemian architecture and world-class beer culture in Prague, while Slovakia is renowned for the dramatic Tatra Mountains and its preserved medieval castles in Bratislava.