CENTRAL BOHEMIACzechInvest Information Series No. 15
Serial No.: REG/02/94-15
Date of Issue: February 10, 1994
CENTRAL BOHEMIAArea: 10,994 square kilometres
Population: 1,114,098*
Population Density: 101 inhabitants per square kilometre
Economically Active Population: 565,905, or 50.9% of the population (261,964 were women)*
Ethnic Diversity: 96.6% Czech; 2.1% Slovak; 0.3% Moravian; 1% Other (in descending order: Silesian, Romany, Hungarian, Polish, German, Ukrainian, Russian, and Ruthenian)*
Largest Cities: Prague (Prague-east population=93,626*; Prague-west population=76,164*); Kladno (population=73,298*)
*From the 1991 Census
Central Bohemia is closely linked to Prague, providing much of the capital city's workforce and food. With significant deposits of coal, iron ores, non-ferrous metals, uranium, and building materials, Central Bohemia is one of the country's main industrial centres. Central Bohemia also specialises in agriculture (wheat, rye, barley, potatoes, hop, fruits, vegetables, and wine grapes) and live-stock production (cattle, pig, sheep, and poultry breeding).
The region's most important industries are: engineering (mainly transportation, mining, and building machinery); electrical engineering; the chemical and petrochemical industries; the production of plastic and building materials; the glass and ceramics industries; the textile, polygraphic, wood and leather industries; and food production.
In addition to Prague, Central Bohemia's industrial centres include Kladno, Kolin, Mlada Boleslav, Kutna Hora, Beroun, Kralupy nad Vltavou, Neratovice, Poibram, and Rakovnik.
Central Bohemia has three major socio-economic areas:
1. The Kladno-Beroun area includes the Kladno, Beroun, and Rakovnik districts. Industrial production is concentrated in Kladno, Slany (which has a monopoly on the Czech production of dry cells and batteries), and Rakovnik (a major producer of ceramic tiles and hops).
2. The Central Labe area includes the districts of Melnik, Mlada Boleslav, Kolin, Kutna Hora, and Nymburk. This area is known for its energy and chemical industries, concentrated in Neratovice, Kralupy nad Vltavou, and Melnik. Since 1898, Mlada Boleslav has been the centre of the Czech automobile industry, and is now the headquarters of the Skoda-Volkswagen Company.
3. The Pribram-Benesov area includes the Pribram, Benesov, and Vlasim districts. Vlasim is known for the production of hunting weapons and ammunition.
Central Bohemia has the densest network of roads and railway lines in the country. Current road projects include: the D1 motor way, leading from Prague to Brno, its expansion to Bratislava (D2), and the D5 motor way leading from Prague to Plzen and then to Nurnberg via Rozvadov (to be completed in 1995). The region is intersected by six main roads which also serve as sections of the European motor way network (E12, E14, and E15).
Due to the large concentration of industries in the region, the rail network is especially dense. Water transportation is also used; the Labe water route, for example, is used to transport coal from Northern Bohemia to the Melnik and Chvaletice thermal power stations.
About 70% of all visitors to the Czech Republic come to Prague, which has become a hub of modern tourism. Outside of Prague, Central Bohemia hosts over 400 castles, fortresses, and manors, many of which contain extensive collections of art and weaponry. Karlstejn Castle, founded by Emperor Charles IV in 1348, is one of the most frequently touristed monuments in the country. Also famous for its scenic beauty, Central Bohemia draws visitors with its forests, lakes, extensive plains, and caves.
NOTE: This information is current as of February 1994. Although we have made every effort to ensure the reliability of our sources, CzechInvest does not assume responsibility for its accuracy.