The Czech Republic has an intriguing and complex history. The "Czech Republic" has only existed since 1993. Before that, it was part of Czechoslovakia, which was a state that combined the current Czech Republic with Slovakia. It was also part of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1989. The country is now a popular tourist destination, famed for its castles and dramatic architecture. It has also been the home of many famous historical figures, such as the writer Franz Kafka. In fact, many Kafka fans make the pilgrimage to the Czech Republic to visit his old residences and the Kafka museum. The Czech Republic borders Germany to the west, Poland to the north, and Slovakia and Austria to the south. The weather is moderate, with quite warm summers and relatively cold winters. During the summer months, the temperature can be pleasant with temperatures in the 70’s. In the winter months, temperatures can drop below the 30’s and snow is a likely occurrence. Under the Soviet Union, Russian was the language people learned at school. This means that the majority of people over the age of 35 cannot speak English. Yet, the younger population is more proficient in English. The country has a low crime rate and is viewed as one of the world’s most peaceful countries. Living in the Czech Republic is not expensive. The country has low tuition fees and low accommodation costs.