<<
Nope, 40. Czechoslovakia was over 70 years old (came into existence in 1918) when it broke up into two countries (Czech Republic and Slovakia) in 1993. However, we weren't under communist rule all the time. That happened in 1948 and lasted until 1989. Before 1948, Czechoslovakia was among TOP FIVE most advanced countries in the world, even ahead of Germany and look where we are today. WAY behind just because of the damn bastard communists :| It is predicted that in 15 years, living condition will be equal to 75% in Germany. Dammit... BUT, we are moving ahead swiftly and there are plenty of opportunites out there, so I'm optimistic about the future >>
Yeah, well you guys are still better off than most other former eastern block. You, (czechs) Hungary and Slovenia are perhaps amoung the best, probably Poland too.
IMO it has to do with your geographical location, you probably got tons of western investment (since you're so close to germany and austria) and that's why your GNP per capita is about 1.5-2x greater than in other easter european countries....