Do you know where avast! is developed?

avast! antivirus is used by more than 75 million people world-wide, but is based in the beautiful city of Prague, capital of the Czech republic.

Otherwise known as the city of a hundred spires, Prague is dominated by St Vitus Cathedral, a masterpiece of 14th century gothic architecture which forms part of the famous Prague Castle.

This is also the home of the Czech crown jewels and in particular the St Wenceslas Crown, the most important symbol of Czech statehood. The crown, which dates back to 1347, is made of solid gold and is decorated with precious gemstones such as sapphires, emeralds, spinels and pearls. From time to time, the crown jewels are on public display but are normally kept in the most secure part of the castle, behind two large doors, each fitted with seven locks.

Prague’s historical center, which is based around the Old Town Square, contains examples of all building styles, from its Gothic churches, Romanesque rotundas and basilicas, Renaissance palaces, to the many Neo-Renaissance and Art Nouveau buildings, as well as many buildings in the characteristic Prague Baroque style. As a result, the whole of the historic center, including Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and numerous churches, palaces and gardens, has been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Czech republic has produced many famous names including writer and philosopher Vaclav Havel, film director Milos Forman, writers Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera, sports stars Jaromir Jagr, Dominik Hasek, Martina Navratilova, Ivan Lendl and Emil Zatopek, composers Antonin Dvorak and Bedrich Smetana, and of course, the co-founders of ALWIL Software, Eduard Kucera and Pavel Baudis!

For centuries, the Czech republic has produced a number of high-quality beers, the best known of which is the original Pils beer, Pilsner Urquell, however, the most widely exported Czech beer is the famous Budweiser Budvar, originally brewed in the town of Budejovice.

Following the so-called Velvet Revolution in 1989, the Czech republic was established on 1 January 1993. In 2004, the Czech republic became a member of the European Union, of which it currently holds the presidency.

Today the city of Prague is home to just over 1 million inhabitants and as a tourist destination, is one of the most visited cities in Europe after London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona and Dublin, attracting more than 4.6 million visitors in 2008. In April 2009, another distinguished visitor is expected with the visit of the new US president, Barack Obama.