Statistická ročenka Ústeckého kraje

 

Characteristics of the Ústecký Region

CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ÚSTECKÝ REGION

The Ústecký Region lies in the northwest of the Czech Republic along its northern border with the Federal Republic of Germany, particularly with the Free State of Saxony. The Region’s neighbours are also the Liberecký Region in the northeast, the Karlovarský and partly the Plzeňský Regions in the west, and the Středočeský Region in the south.

The mountainous belt along the Czech-Germany border, formed by Krušné hory (the Ore Mountains), Labské pískovce (the Labe Sandstone Formations), and Lužické hory (the Lužice Mountains), protects the Region from the north, while lowlands stretch in the southeast, with České středohoří (the Bohemian Low Mountain Range) rising above the flat area. A prevailing part of the Region is occupied by the River Labe basin. The Ohře and Bílina Rivers pass through the western parts of the Region. The Ploučnice River flows through the Děčín District.

The area of the Region is 5,335 sq km, i.e. 6.8% of the total area of the Czech Republic. Out of that, 30% are forests and 2% expanses of water. The highest point on the Region’s territory lies on the root of the Klínovec Mountain (the highest mountain of Krušné hory), the peak of which, however, lies already on the territory of the Karlovarský Region. The lowest point (155m), also the lowest point in the CR is at the Labe (Elbe) River at Hřensko where the river leaves the country.

The territory of the Ústecký Region is very variable as for natural conditions, economic structure, population density and condition of the environment.

The Ústecký Region breaks up into seven districts (the Děčín, Chomutov, Litoměřice, Louny, Most, Teplice and Ústí nad Labem Districts) comprising 354 municipalities of various sizes. The seat of the Region is in the town of Ústí nad Labem with 94,871 inhabitants. The population ranks the Region fifth in the CR. The density of population rises above the national average, varying from one district to another. The highest density can be found in the lignite basin of the Krušné hory foothills, lower density is in the Louny and Litoměřice Districts, in which mostly small country seats can be found. A characteristic feature of the Region is relatively young population. However, the number of population is already somewhat decreasing, because the nation-wide tendencies start to be clear there as well.

Its rich resources of raw materials, particularly lignite deposits, determine the economic significance of the Region. It is an area with highly developed industrial production, which is concentrated especially in the Krušné hory foothills. Important are machinery, power, chemical and glass industries. Regarding agriculture in the Region, it is well known for growing hops and vegetables and especially in the Litoměřice District fruit growing is developed. The Region has the smallest portion of arable land in the CR.

It generates only 6.5% of the gross domestic product of the Czech Republic, reaches 81.3% of the national average per capita and thus ranks twelfth among all the regions.

The focus especially on coal mining, power and chemical industries in the past has had a negative impact on the environment. Highly developed surface mining of coal has greatly changed the original character of the landscape. Well known are also problems with pollution in the Region. During the last decade the environment has much improved, however, the Region is still perceived as an area with the most damaged environment.

Reduction of coal mining, restructuring of enterprises, slow-down of outputs and agriculture cause that in the nation-wide comparison the Ústecký Region has the highest long-term registered unemployment rate (15.8; the CR had 8.9 as at 31 December 2001).

The Region has an important location as for transport due to its relation to the EU. The important international road E55 runs through the Teplice and Litoměřice Districts, linking the north and south of Europe, and going on from the town of Lovosice as the highway D8. Another important route is the road leading along Krušné hory to the northern part of the Liberecký Region. No less important is also the route coming from the Federal Republic of Germany via Chomutov and Louny to Prague. The main railway route is the international track from the Federal Republic of Germany via the town of Ústí nad Labem to Prague. The Labe River is the most important water route in the Czech Republic; it enables transport of freight to Hamburg in the North Sea.

Due to its rich history of settlement, the Ústecký Region boasts of a great number of historic buildings and monuments. The best known are the Baroque castle in Duchcov, Romanesque rotunda on the Říp Mountain, Gothic church in Most, monasteries in Osek and Doksany, and chateaux of Ploskovice and Libochovice. Also, there are painting collections of great worth in the Litoměřice picture gallery. To mention some of the beauties of nature, the best known is the national park České Švýcarsko (the Bohemian Switzerland) with its famous Pravčická brána (the Pravčice Gate).