Plzeň Region - Plzeňský kraj
Plzeň Region (www.kr-plzensky.cz) is the third largest in area after Central Bohemia and South Bohemia regions. It is composed of 7 districts - Domažlice, Klatovy, Plzeň-City, Plzeň-South, Plzeň-North, Rokycany and Tachov. Plzeň is its administrative centre. Its population distribution is rather uneven. Compared to the national average, small municipalities prevail. There is a relatively limited number of smaller towns, development settlements are mostly situated in a strip along the motorway linking Prague and Germany.
Plzeň region is situated in the western part of the country and avails of a convenient position in relation to the developed west European countries. Its centre is formed by Plzeň basin with a fan-shaped river network (the Úslava, Úhlava, Radbuza) merging at Plzeň and forming thus the Mže (Berounka). The highest areas are Šumava and Český les border mountains with relatively rough climatic conditions, lower temperatures and higher precipitations.
Border districts are also responsible for low average numbers of population. The settlement patterns and economic development have suffered mainly after World War II. The region witnessed increased economic growth only in the last decade. The region is intersected by important international road and railway routes.
Regional raw material basis includes especially the deposits of kaolins, clays and ceramic materials north of Plzeň, limestone and construction raw materials in its southern part. Economy is based on industrial enterprises situated mainly in Plzeň and its hinterland. Engineering is the most important branch, ceramic and food-processing industries are also important.
Šumava and a Český les border areas are visited by large numbers of tourists and holiday-makers. The town of Klatovy is an important centre of the western Šumava foothills ("Šumava gateway"). Domažlice is the historical centre of Chodsko area. There are numerous historical monuments in the region with the highest protection statutes. There are also spas -Konstantinovy Lázně belong to the most significant spas in the Czech Republic.
With a view to tourism, the territory of Plzeň Region is split into three tourist marketing areas:Plzeň Area, Šumava and West-Bohemian Spas.
In Plzeň region, there is also the Šumava landscape protected area, a member of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) global biosphere reserve network.
The landscape protected area Český les was declared in 2005 encompassing the most precious areas of the frontier mountain range of Český les.
Since 1993, municipalities in Klatovy and Domažlice districts are members of Šumava Euroregion; Tachov district is involved in Euroregion Egrensis.
