administrative state czech republic population
The Czech Republic is a land of diverse and picturesque landscapes. The plains here are interspersed with hills, open spaces - with forests, the whole country is as if woven by countless threads of rivers and streams. The marginal mountain ranges of the western part of the country beckon with their wild beauty.
The Czech Republic has good natural conditions and natural resources for the development of agriculture and industry, as well as for the development of tourism.
The climate of the Czech Republic is determined by the geographic location of the country and is formed mainly under the influence of air masses moving from the Atlantic Ocean. The climate of the Czech Republic is generally moderately continental, with distinct seasons. Due to the predominance of mountainous and hilly terrain, local air circulation is of great importance. The relief here affects the temperature regime and the spatial distribution of precipitation. Since the Czech Republic is elongated in latitude, the climatic differences between its individual regions are determined by the difference not between north and south, but between west and east.
The average annual temperature is + 8-10 C. For most of the territory, cold winters are typical with average temperatures of the coldest month (January) from -2 C to -4 C. Occasionally in winter, the average daily air temperature drops to -20 C, which is associated with the invasions of cold arctic air. Thaws are frequent, especially in the west of the country. The range of temperature differences in summer is wider, since the continentality, which grows in an easterly direction, has a stronger effect, the average July temperature is about +19 C. In the mountains, summer is cooler - + 8-13 C. Mild, pleasant weather occurs in spring, from the second half of May, and in autumn , until mid-October.
The amount of precipitation in different regions of the Czech Republic ranges from 450 to 2000 mm per year. The overwhelming part of the territory of the republic receives 600-800 mm of precipitation per year, i.e. their total number is quite sufficient for the needs of agriculture. About 20% of them falls in the form of snow. The greatest amount of precipitation is typical for the windward slopes of high mountains. There are very few arid regions in the country. Large forests, meadows, and numerous reservoirs and reservoirs help to retain moisture in the soil. Seasonal distribution of precipitation is crucial. The presence of a summer maximum (about 40% of all precipitation in June-August) is a favorable factor for agriculture.
The variety of natural conditions is reflected in the soil cover. Soils are affected by differences in topography, climate and hydrogeology of individual regions. The most widespread are podzolic and brown forest soils, a smaller area is occupied by chernozem and other soils. A significant part of the podzols is covered with forest, and the share of these soils in the agricultural land fund is much lower than in the total soil cover of the country.
On the territory of the Czech Republic, there are two comparatively significant areas of chernozem soils in the central regions of the country and in Central Moravia. They are widely used for crops of sugar beet, winter wheat and barley. The bulk of the country's grain crops is concentrated on burozems. Podzolic soils are mainly used for sowing oats, rye and potatoes, but a sick part of them is occupied by forest vegetation.
The Czech Republic is one of the most wooded countries in Europe. Coniferous trees account for about 60% of the total forest area, deciduous and mixed forests account for one fifth. Coniferous forests are composed mainly of pine and spruce, while deciduous forests are mainly made of beech and oak. On the basis of significant timber reserves in the country, a woodworking industry has developed, as well as a large pulp and paper production. The forests of the Czech Republic are rich in animals, game, mushrooms and berries.
The forest is not the only natural wealth of the Czech Republic. Among natural resources, the most important for the national economy are fuel resources and, first of all, coal and brown coal. The total reserves of hard coal are estimated at 13 billion tons. The main and largest mining area is the Ostrava-Karvinas basin. There are also deposits of coal near the cities of Kladno, Pilsen and Brno. The Ostrava-Karvinsky basin is sharply superior to the others in terms of coal quality: the share of coking coals there accounts for about 70% of the reserves, and there is little sulfur in them, which is very important for the quality of metallurgical coke.
The reserves of brown coal are also quite large. The largest lignite basin in the country is the North Bohemian one, which accounts for about two thirds of the total reserves. Deposits with a high spatial concentration of reserves prevail in the Czech Republic, most of which can be developed using a cheaper open-cut method.
The resources of metal ores are insignificant, and the best deposits are largely depleted. Poor phosphorous iron ores with a metal content of less than 30% prevail.
The largest deposits of non-ferrous and rare metals are in the Ore Mountains. The Czech Republic is very rich in nonmetallic minerals: magnesite, graphite and especially kaolin, which occur in the region of Karlovy Vary and Plzen.
The country is replete with mineral water springs, remarkable in their healing properties, in the regions of which world famous resorts have emerged: Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, Frantiskovy Lazne.
The largest rivers in the Czech Republic are the Vltava and Laba, which carry their waters to the North Sea. The position of the Czech Republic on the main European watershed of the northern and southern seas and the shallow depth of the country's territory led to the small length of the Czech rivers and an insufficient amount of water in them. The economic importance of Czech rivers is sharply reduced due to the fact that their already low water consumption is subject to very strong annual and seasonal fluctuations, which leads to an acute problem of water supply in several regions of the country in autumn. Therefore, regulation of river flow is so important, not only for water supply needs, but also for shipping and electricity generation.
The Czech Republic is famous for its artificial fish ponds, many of which date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. In South Bohemia alone there are about 5 thousand ponds, the area of \u200b\u200bwhich is approximately 20 thousand hectares.
The Czech Republic is a country that is literally created for tourism. No wonder the income from foreign tourism to the country in 1993 amounted to about 1.3 billion US dollars.
There are not so many countries in the world in which, like the Czech Republic, there are picturesque mountains, and charming valleys sandwiched between them, and dense forests, and gurgling mud hills, in small craters of which healing water boils.
Let's stop at some of the most famous Czech resorts in the world.
Karlovy Vary - a resort famous for the treatment of diseases of the liver, bile ducts and stomach. In 1999, the resort celebrated its 640th anniversary of its founding. But long before 1359, the resort was known and enjoyed wide fame, as evidenced by archaeological finds in the surrounding area.
Marianske Lazne- along with Karlovy Vary, it is the second city in the spa triangle of Western Bohemia. Marianske Lazne is the most important spa for the treatment of internal, skin and nervous diseases.
Frantiskovy Lazne- the third city of the spa town of Western Bohemia. On the territory of Frantiskovy Lazne there are 24 medicinal springs, complementing large deposits of mineralized mud. Of the mineral waters, the Glauber IV spring is especially famous.
Krkonose in the north and Eagle mountains in the east of the country there are favorite vacation spots. There is a famous tourism center called "Bohemian Paradise" and a state reserve. Typical of "Bohemian Paradise" are the numerous ruins of medieval castles adhered to rock ledges, bizarre labyrinths formed by the weathering of sandstone rocks, sprouted by dense pine forests. In "Czech Paradise" there is a rare beauty corner of nature - Prahovskie Rocks with wild stone piles of bizarre shapes and outlines. There are hiking trails in the gaps and on rocky ledges. Climbing competitions are often held in these places, as it is difficult to find a more suitable place for this sport. The natural diversity and picturesque landscapes create ideal conditions for walks and long hikes in Krnonoše, especially in winter on skis. Here are located such famous centers of mountain tourism as Harrachov, Spindleru Mlyn, Janske Lazne, etc. All these places are distinguished by the fact that they lie at an altitude of 650-700 m in closed hollows, well protected from the vagaries of the weather, among the forests.
Rough Jesenik - located in northern Moravia. The mountain peaks in the area rise above the forests. The highest of them, Praded, reaches 1492 meters. Visitors to the Jeseník appreciate the dense coniferous forests, which in some places turn into a virgin forest, preserved in its original form. Under the influence of these forests, nature created such climatic conditions here that one after another, at a short distance from each other, four resorts were opened: Karlova Studanka, Lazne Jesenik, Dolní Lipova and Velké Losiny.
In addition to medical and mountain resorts in the Czech Republic, karst areas with extensive caves are very famous and popular among tourists. Artificial lighting especially emphasizes the beauty and color of the stalactite and stalagmite decorations of the lakes. In the Czech Republic, the most famous caves are called Moravian beauty
There is a vast forest area 25 kilometers from Brno. Here, on an area of \u200b\u200b100 sq. kilometers, over the course of thousands of years, natural underground caves, whole halls and lakes of extraordinary beauty and size were created. The road itself to the Skalni Mlyn hotel - the entrance gate to the caves - is very romantic, as the narrow highway cuts itself between the steep, wooded rock walls. The highway leads along the Punkva River, which suddenly disappears underground. It is not known where, along what places and underground roads it flows, but it appears already on the Macokhi dip, 138 meters deep, and from there it continues its underground journey again and again finally flows out to the surface. An exemplary cave entrance, comfortable paths between stalagmite woods and colored lakes, a walk along the bottom of a sinkhole, entertaining boating on underground lakes, illuminated by reflectors, the most remarkable formations of stalactites and stalagmites that give the impression of lace, waterfalls, trees and figures - all this gives tourists the opportunity to take a close look into the workshop of nature and realize its boundless richness of forms and colors.
The rich history of the country and places connected with it is of particular interest to tourists.
In addition to a huge number of monuments from primitive times, testifying to aspirations for the fine arts in ancient times, on the basis of documents of the historical era preserved in the Czech Republic, it is possible to trace the development of architecture, sculpture, painting and other types of artistic creativity for a whole millennium to the smallest detail. If some cities of the Czech Republic are considered museum cities, then we can rightfully say about the whole Czech Republic that its territory is a kind of huge art exhibition. Despite the fact that in the past the territory of the country has been subjected to the destructive force of military rampages many times, here, as if on islands of calm and peace, a true reserve of art has been preserved. There are many well-preserved architectural monuments in the Czech Republic. These are, first of all, rotundas, round church buildings, the development of which ended in an independent architectonic type. Although from the rotunda, which is considered to be the oldest Czech building of this type, only a small part has survived under the stone slabs of the Prague Cathedral of St. Vitus, but other rotundas still stand in different parts of the Czech Republic and Moravia. The most remarkable artistically is the rotunda in Znojmo, as it contains paintings from the 12th century. The mural depicts kings from the Přemyslid clan and the legend about how the plowman Přemysl was called to the princely throne.
One of the characteristic features of the Czech Republic is the large number of castles and palaces that make up an essential part of the entire wealth of ancient monuments. They can be found almost at every turn. Indeed, in the Czech Republic there is almost not a single hill, not a single rock, on which there would be no castle or even its ruins; you can hardly find a village without a large or small castle. Not only are there an extraordinary number of them, but the most famous of them are also of great historical and artistic significance.
The most famous architectural monuments are:
church of st. Bartholomew built in the XIII century and the Town Hall (XVI century) in Pilsen;
the Gothic churches of the 13th century in Uste nad Laboy;
church of st. Mary and the Episcopal Palace in Ceske Budejovice;
the old town (XIV century) in Hradec Kralove;
the church (XIII century) and the old town (XIV century) in Pardubice;
cathedral of st. St. Peter and Paul (XV century) and the town hall (XVI century) in Brno;
cathedral of st. Wenceslas (XII century), the archbishop's palace, a quarter of baroque mansions in Olomouc;
13th century old town, Charles Bridge with figures of saints, Hradcany castle, St. Vitta in Prague.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA (Ceskoslovensko), Czech and Slovak Federal Republic (Ceska and Slovenska Federativni Republika), CSFR (CSFR), is a state in Central Europe. In the north it borders on Poland, in the east - with, in the south - with Hungary and, in the west - with the FRG. The area is 127.9 thousand km 2. Population 15.55 million (as of January 1, 1987). The capital is Prague. Czechoslovakia is a federation of two equal republics: Czech and Slovak. It is divided into 10 regions and cities - Prague and Bratislava (as a region). The official languages \u200b\u200bare Czech and Slovak. The monetary unit is the Czechoslovakian crown.
General characteristics of the economy... In the structure of national income (1986), 59.8% accounted for industry, 10.7% - for construction, 6.9% - for agriculture; the rest - for transport, communications and trade. In the post-war period, industrial production increased 13 times. Mechanical engineering and chemical industries developed at the fastest pace. Czechoslovakia has a relatively limited fuel, energy and mineral resources base. The most significant reserves of coal (more than 94% of fuel and energy resources).
Geological structure... On the territory of Czechoslovakia, structurally, the Czech (Bohemian) massif (part of the European Hercynides) and the Western Carpathians framing it in the east, belonging to the alpine belt of Europe, are distinguished. The basement of most of both units is composed of Proterozoic rocks: in the core of the Czech Massif, the Upper Proterozoic moldanubicum, Barrandiena and their equivalents in the Ore Mountains, Krkonoše and Orlické Hills, as well as crystalline rock formations emerging on the eastern edge of the Czech Massif in the Brno unit and at the base of the northern part Western Carpathians. The rocks of these formations underwent Baikal (Kadom) folding and metamorphism, which were accompanied by the intrusion of granitoids from the Brno and Luzhitsky plutons and the formation of the Cambrian molasse stratum in the Pribram-Jinets basin of Barrandien - synclinorium within the Czech massif. Primary mineralization is associated with volcanic-sedimentary formations. The Hercynides (variscides) are also composed of sedimentary rocks in Barrandien, in the Ore Mountains, the Giant Mountains and the Jeseniki Mountains. Hercynian (Varissian) folding in the late Devonian - early Carboniferous period caused the formation of tectonic covers. For granitoid plutons in Central Bohemia and other regions, polymetallic or tin-tungsten mineralization is characteristic. At the end of the Varissian tectogenesis, molasse was formed, in places coal-bearing (Ostrava-Karvin basin), the Czech massif consolidated. In the intermontane troughs in the Late Carboniferous - Permian, freshwater coal-bearing basins formed (Plze, Kladensko-Rakovnitsky, Mshensky, Lower Silesian, etc.), in which sedimentation in places took place up to the Triassic. In, and time went on the formation of the lake. This accumulation of sediments and the formation of relief is associated with tectonic movements of the Late Mesozoic epoch of tectogenesis; in some areas, volcanic activity (basalts of the continental type) was actively manifested, accompanied by the remobilization of ore elements.
The area of \u200b\u200bthe modern Carpathians until the beginning of the Mesozoic era developed together with the Czech massif. Later, the Slovak block, under the influence of the Alpine folding phases, disintegrated into smaller parts, which became part of the later folded structures (the crystalline core of some Slovak mountains). As a result of alpine folding in the Western Carpathians in the Late Cretaceous (Inner Carpathians) and in the Miocene (Outer Carpathians), thick covers arose, branched in the frontal part. These covers, including the crystal cores, formed the central crystal belt. The two main covers of the Inner Carpathians are Kryzhnyansky and Khochsky, the youngest is Spissky, which covers the Gemerian region. The thickness of the sedimentary cover is about 2800 m. At the end of the Neogene, the Inner Carpathians were divided into a series of blocks subjected to denudation, as a result of which the crystalline core was exposed (High and Low Tatras, Malaya Fatra). In the Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary, the Carpathians and the adjoining edges of the platform were again engulfed in transgression, as evidenced by a thick stratum (up to 4000 m) of sandy, clayey and other deposits. To the north of the crystalline core of the Inner Carpathians at the end of the Tertiary time, after the processes of folding and mountain building, a flysch belt was formed from the Danube to the Transcarpathian region. During folding during the Oligocene and Miocene period, the fleech zone was thrown over the edge of the Czech massif. Thus, three coverings were formed - danicko-Podilsky, Silesian and in the east Magursky. Intense mountain-building movements were accompanied by the formation of faults, along which, mainly in the Miocene, as well as in the Quaternary, volcanic rocks (andesites, rhyolites, dacites and their tuffs, etc.) erupted, especially powerful in the southern and eastern parts of the Czechoslovakian Carpathians.
Seismicity... The territory of Czechoslovakia belongs to the weakly seismic regions. Earthquakes were known mainly in Slovakia (in the areas of Komarno, Dobra Voda, Zilina). On the territory of the Czech Republic earthquakes reached 7 points (in the areas of Kraslice, Trutnov, Opava). Most of the earthquakes registered in Czechoslovakia had their epicenters outside its territory (in the neighboring areas of young mountain building in the Alps and Carpathians).
Hydrogeology ... There are two main hydrogeological structures on the territory of Czechoslovakia: the Czech massif and the folded region of the Western Carpathians. A number of independent artesian basins are located within them (Czech Cretaceous, Ceske Budeyovitsky, and others in the Czech massif, Turchansky, Oravsky, Zvolensky, and others in the Western Carpathians). In the south of Slovakia, a number of basins stand out, confined to the basins of the same name - Podunaiskaya, Ipelskaya, Potisskaya. The main resources of fresh groundwater are formed in gravel-pebble Quaternary alluvial and fluvioglacial deposits, in Cretaceous sandstones, in Mesozoic carbonate rocks, and in Neogene effusive rocks. In Quaternary sediments, groundwater occurs at a depth of 80 m. The discharge of wells and boreholes is generally from 3 to 15 l / s, in the valleys of the Danube, Vag and others rivers - up to the first hundreds of l / s. Among the Cretaceous rocks (from cognac to Cenomanian), a high but extremely uneven water content is characterized by a stratum of sandstones (Czech Cretaceous, Ceske-Budejovice depressions, etc.). Artesian horizons lie at a depth of 80 to 900 m. The module of underground flow is 3.5-4 l / s.km 2. Springs flow rates up to 5 l / s, maximum - up to 25 l / s, rarely 150 l / s. The specific flow rates of wells are from 0.1 to 10 l / s, less often up to 16 l / s. Among the Mesozoic rocks, high water content is characteristic of karst limestones and Triassic dolomites (Western Carpathians). The specific groundwater runoff in the area of \u200b\u200btheir development varies from 4 to 25 l / s.km 2. The flow rates of karst springs vary from 0.1 to hundreds of l / s, of karst-fissure springs - they reach hundreds of l / s and more. The ratio of minimum and maximum flow rates is from 1:10 to 1:57; their operational resources are about 1000 l / s. Among the effusive rocks of the Neogene (Slanskie mountains, Vigorlat, etc.), there are water-bearing tuffite sandstones, sandy and gravel tuffs. The underground current module varies from 8 to 7 l / s.km 2. The filtration coefficient ranges from 1.10 4 to 1.10 6 m / s. Springs flow rates from tenths of a l / s to 7 l / s, wells from 4 to 15 l / s, in tectonic disturbance zones up to 50 l / s. Among flysch deposits of the Eocene - Oligocene (Western Carpathians), sandstones are the main collectors of groundwater. The filtration coefficient in the zone of exogenous fracturing is from 7.10 -7 to 6.10 -9 m / s. The depth of groundwater is from 5 to 100 m and more. Springs flow rates from 0.5 to 7 l / s, specific well flow rates from 0.09 to 0.52 l / s. Among the Pliocene rocks developed in all depressions, only individual lenses and interlayers of sands and pebbles are water-bearing. Well flow rates from 0.6 to 3.0 l / s, less often up to 30 l / s (basins of the Nitra, Vag rivers) and up to 60 l / s (Turchanskaya depression). In the area of \u200b\u200bcrystalline rocks development (Czech massif, Western Carpathians), fresh groundwater is formed in the zone of exogenous and tectonic fracturing; springs flow rates from fractions to 1 l / s. Mineralization of fresh groundwater is 0.1-1 g / l, their composition is mainly HCO 3 - - Ca 2+, Ca 2+ - Mg 2+, SO 4 2- - Ca 2+. The total natural resources of fresh groundwater in Czechoslovakia are estimated at 60-90 m 3 / s. Moreover, in the carbonate rocks of Slovakia, from one third to half of all natural resources available there are concentrated. Czechoslovakia is rich in mineral and thermal waters. More than 950 manifestations of mineral waters are known on its territory, on the basis of which more than 50 resorts operate.
Deposits of diatomite, talc (accompanying the deposits of magnesite), and zeolite have also been established in Czechoslovakia. In the Czech Republic there is a large deposit of Proterozoic pyritized shale containing 10-15% sulfur and approximately the same amount of manganese (Chvaletice near the town of Kolin). Large reserves of these shale (426 million tons) may become a potential resource of S, Mn in the future.
Deposits of building materials (facing and decorative stone, pebbles, brick clays, etc.) are widespread throughout the territory of Czechoslovakia, but their development is often limited by environmental legislation.
Deposits of various precious and ornamental stones are known in Czechoslovakia. These include, in particular, Czech garnets contained in pyro-bearing pebbles in the Bohemian Midlands, tektites (moldavites) in South Bohemia and noble opal in eastern Slovakia (Dubnik), agate and jasper in the Krkonoše Mountains (North Bohemia).
Mineral springs... On the basis of numerous mineral spas in Czechoslovakia there are 55 spas. The largest and most famous of them are: in Western Bohemia (Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, Frantiskovy Lazne, Jachymov, Kinhvart, Konstantinovy \u200b\u200bLazne) and Central Bohemia (Podebrady); in Moravia - Luhačovice, Teplice nad Bečvoy, Darkov, Velké Losinj, Jeseník, etc. in Slovakia - Piestany, Trencianske Teplice, Korytnitsa Kupele, Bojnice, Rajecke Teplice, Bardejov, Dudince, Sliac, Chizh, etc. Besides resorts there are many places where there are mineral water springs.
The history of the development of mineral resources. It is known from archaeological finds that the Celts mined gold on the territory of Czechoslovakia (4th-1st centuries BC). The first mentions of tin mining in the Czech Republic date back to 973. The exploitation of the Banska Stiavnica polymetallic deposits has been known since the 10th century. In the 13th century. Banska Stiavnica is a large city with its own mountain right; in the 16-18 centuries. one of the largest suppliers of gold and silver in Europe. The most famous place of ancient mining is the Ore Mountains (Krushne Gori). The first mentions of the mining of tin and silver in this area date back to 1168. The mining of ores reached a significant scale in the Czech Republic in the 13-14 centuries, when the mining law was first published (Jihlavskoe in 1249 and Kutnogorskoe in 1300, which influenced for several centuries mining legislation) and began to mint silver coins (Czech pennies). Since the 13th century in the area of \u200b\u200bPribram, mining of ores of silver, lead, zinc, later antimony has been carried out. In 1332 the Rudniani deposit (Slovak Ore Mountains) was discovered. Today this deposit is the largest supplier in Czechoslovakia of iron ore, barite, etc. Silver was mined in Jachymov from 1512, and from 1852 - uraninite. At the Vojtech mine (Pribram) in 1875, a depth of 1000 m was reached for the first time in the world. Ores of mainly non-ferrous metals were mined almost throughout the territory of Czechoslovakia, but the reserves of both non-ferrous metals and iron ore are small.
Mining... Since the beginning of the 50s. the production of mineral raw materials in Czechoslovakia has been constantly increasing, reaching 340 million tons in 1986 (Table 2).
The 1st place in terms of volume is coal mining, the 2nd - of nonmetallic building materials, the 3rd - of industrial raw materials (limestones, kaolins, magnesites and glass sands). In value terms, the production of mineral raw materials amounted to 40.7 billion kroons (1986), incl. mining of coal 32.1 billion kroons, oil and natural gas 0.92 billion kroons, ores 3.8 billion kroons; other mineral resources 3.8 billion kroons. The number of workers employed in the mining industry is about 190 thousand people (1986). The extraction of coal and some types of nonmetallic raw materials is mainly sufficient to meet the needs of Czechoslovakia and their small export. Among the minerals exported are mainly kaolin, refractories and magnesite. At the same time, Czechoslovakia is an importer of iron (11.3 million tons) and manganese ores, non-ferrous metals, oil (16 million tons), natural gas (11 billion cubic meters), phosphates, mineral (potash and nitrogen) fertilizers, asbestos, sulfur, salt and some other types of mineral raw materials. Much attention is paid to the development of the mining industry in Czechoslovakia, but due to its own production (with the exception of mercury and antimony ores) only 5-15% of all the country's needs are covered.
Oil and natural gas production is relatively low (Table 2), despite significant exploration work in the most promising Vienna and East Slovak basins. Exploration is being conducted to a depth of several kilometers. Oil and natural gas deposits are small, well production rates are low. Depleted natural gas fields were partly used to create underground storage facilities, which are of great importance in Czechoslovakia, since they provide an opportunity to equalize seasonal fluctuations in gas supply in accordance with gas consumption. The gas storage capacity in them reaches 2.4 billion cubic meters.
Coal industry... The extraction of solid fuel is carried out in the following basins: coal - in Ostrava-Karvinsky (22.6 million tons), Kladensky (1.7 million tons), Pilsen (0.45 million tons), East Bohemian (0.65 million tons) and Rositskiy (0.24 million tons); brown coals - in the North Bohemian (74.1 million tons), Sokolovsky (21.1 million tons), Gandlovsky-Novatsky (2.9 million tons) and Yuzhno-Slovak (Modrikamenskoye) (1 million tons) ; lignites - in South Moravian (2.2 million tons) and Nowack (1.4 million tons). All mining of hard coal and lignite is carried out by the underground method, and 91.8% of the volume of brown coal mining is carried out by the open method. Average thickness of mined coal seams, incl. of high quality coking coal, in the Ostrava region it is 1.07 m (1985), in the Karvin region - 2.32 m (1985). In the East Bohemian basin, the thickness of the developed seams is on average 1.3 m. The coal is very hard, with a high
Natural conditions of the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a continental country in Central Europe. It has no access to the sea and covers an area of \u200b\u200b79 thousand square meters. km.
Its neighbors are:
- Slovakia,
- Austria,
- Germany,
- Poland.
In terms of relief, the country is conditionally divided into the Czech Massif and the Moravian Plain. The Czech massif, located in the west, is a hilly plateau with a height of 450 to 600 m. To the north, towards the valley of the Laba river, the Czech massif decreases.
The massif is surrounded by mountains of medium height - the Sudeten Mountains, Ore Mountains, Sumava, Czech Forest.
The Czech-Moravian Uplands from the east and southeast border the massif. The longest and highest Czech mountains are the Sudetenland, which consists of mountain ranges.
The massifs, in turn, are separated by longitudinal and transverse valleys.
Separate highlands and lowlands form the Moravian Plain, to the east of which the Carpathians rise.
The climatic conditions of the country are associated with the peculiarities of its geographical position and are formed under the influence of the Atlantic air masses.
In general, the climate is temperate continental with pronounced seasons.
Since the country is dominated by mountainous terrain, local circulation is of great importance. Temperature regime and precipitation are related to the terrain.
Significant climatic differences exist between the western and eastern parts of the country, the cause of which is elongation in the longitudinal direction.
Average annual temperature fluctuations are in the range of 8-10 degrees. The winter is mild with a January temperature of -2… -4 degrees, but a significant short-term drop in temperature is also possible.
Winter thaws are typical for the west of the Czech Republic. Summers are humid and warm. The average July temperature is +19 degrees. With the ascent to the mountains, summer becomes cooler - from +8 to +13 degrees.
Precipitation falls unevenly, and in different regions its amount ranges from 450 to 2000 mm per year. 20% of precipitation falls in the form of snow. Most of them fall on the windward slopes of the mountains.
Natural resources of the Czech Republic
The presence of various minerals in the country is associated with a complex geological structure.
There are significant reserves of hard and brown coal. Coal reserves are estimated at 13 billion tons. The North Bohemian brown coal basin accounts for 2/3 of all its reserves.
A number of Czech coal deposits can be mined in the open pit.
Ore resources are insignificant, and the best deposits are already depleted. Phosphorous iron ores are poor; they contain less than 30% metal.
Non-ferrous and rare metals are concentrated in the Ore Mountains.
The Czech Republic is richer in nonmetallic resources, in its depths there is magnesite, graphite, kaolin, quartz sand.
The Czech Republic is one of the most wooded European countries. Conifers occupy 60% of the total forest area. There are deciduous and mixed forests.
Conifers are represented by spruce and pine, while deciduous forests consist of beech and oak. Today, natural forests have been mostly cut down.
The fauna of the country is associated with forests - these are typical European species: red deer, roe deer, wild boar, hare, fox, beaver.
The rivers and lakes are rich in fish. There are few large rivers in the country, although the river network is dense.
It is divided between three drainage basins - Laba, Morava, Odra. The Vltava and Laba are navigable rivers. Czech rivers belong to the basin of three seas - North, Black, Baltic.
The Danube flows along the border, and its tributaries flow through the territory of the Czech Republic, for example, Vag, Morava, Laba.
Remark 1
Czech rivers are short and water deficient. There are few lakes in the country, and they are located mainly in the mountains and are of glacial origin.
Many artificial ponds have been created in the country for fish farming. Groundwater reserves are small, but there are world-famous healing springs of mineral water, where balneological resorts were formed - Karlovy Vary, Lazne, Pestany, etc.
The formation of soils was greatly influenced by the relief, climate, and hydrogeological features. Brown forest soils are widespread, chernozems are less common, podzolic soils are characteristic of the highland part.
Recreational resources of the Czech Republic
In addition to mineral, water, soil, plant and animal resources in the Czech Republic, there is another type of resources called recreational.
Recreational resources include:
- territories with natural or artificially created conditions for human recreation;
- historical or cultural attractions;
- factors related to the economic potential of the territory, for example, infrastructure, population.
On the basis of these resources, it is possible to form an efficient recreational economy.
Remark 2
In other words, recreational resources are a complex of natural, socio-economic, historical and cultural factors that provide recreation and health improvement for people on a massive scale.
These resources are based on natural landscapes - a mountain range, picturesque banks of water bodies, forest and steppe landscapes, mineral springs, therapeutic mud, etc.
The second place in importance is occupied by a variety of historical and cultural monuments.
The Czech Republic has health and tourism, excursion and medical resources.
In a country with a rich and picturesque nature, many nature reserves have been created, among which there is also a prehistoric forest in Boubin, Šumava region, in Moravia - the Palava Upland, Labské sandstones.
Industrial tourism is developed in the North Moravian region with various enterprises in Silesia.
There are recreational resources in the Jesenik and Beskydy ridges - geological engineering surveys are carried out here.
Several mixed architectural styles are characteristic of the city of Olomouc. The South Moravian Region has become the most popular tourist destination. Luhačevice spa with healing springs, karst caves near the city of Brno, Veverji and Pergdtejn fortresses, the monument in Austerlitz, the castle and the high minaret of Lednice have become a zone of international tourism.
In addition, foreign tourists are attracted to this area by the holding of traditional international engineering fairs.
The development of sports and health tourism is facilitated by the medium-altitude ridge of Šumava, the Czech Forest, the Ore Mountains, lowlands alternating with the low-mountain range in the Czech Basin.
For ecotourism, 1200 specially protected natural areas are suitable, occupying 10% of the country's area.
There are more than 2 thousand historical and cultural monuments in the Republic, protected by the state.
Remark 3
9 sites are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, among them Prague, Kutna, Gora Telc, Cesky Krumlov, etc.
Many monuments are used for economic purposes, therefore, they require restoration, which complicates their tourist development.
The medicinal resource fund includes mineral water springs and medicinal mud deposits. The status of resorts has 30 settlements located in the west of the country.
The South Bohemian Region is famous for its ponds, there are 7,500 of them here, the Lipenska Dam, the Orlik Dam. Here lovers can hunt and fish.
The area is attracted by numerous castles and fortresses.
The tourist area of \u200b\u200bthe East Bohemian Region includes the mountainous regions of the Krkonoše and Orlické. The famous resort of Janske Lazne is located here.
The region attracts not only by its picturesque nature, but also by its amazing architecture - the town of Hradec Kralove with the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the White Tower, etc. Some places of this region are associated with the life of J. Hasek and his brave hero Švejk.
Natural resources of the Czech Republic
The natural conditions and resources of the Czech Republic are quite favorable for the development of its economy.
The country's varied topography contains plains, elevated areas and mountain ranges.
The mountains are medium in height, they are the Czech Forest, the Czech Massif, the Krkonose, the Czech-Moravian Upland.
Remark 1
The country, small in area, has 16 mountain ranges and 400 peaks. The mountains of the Czech Republic are located in dense, frequent ridges.
West Bohemia even has its own volcanoes, for example, the crater of the extinct volcano Komorni-Hurka.
In the swampy area of \u200b\u200bthe Slavkovský Les there are many mud volcanoes emitting mineral water.
There are also the Koněpruské caves - amazingly beautiful karst caves.
The geographical location determines the country's climate, which is quite favorable. The country is located on the path of the Atlantic air masses, which form a temperate continental climate with well-defined seasons.
Since the relief of the country is mountainous and hilly, the local air circulation is of great importance, because the relief affects both the air temperature and the distribution of precipitation.
Winters are mild with temperatures in the plains -2, -4 degrees and -8, -10 degrees in the highlands. In rare frosts, the temperature can drop to -15 degrees.
The summer period is moderately hot with a temperature of + 19, + 21 degrees. In the mountains, the summer temperature is +4, +8 degrees.
In most of the country, precipitation falls from 600 to 800 mm and 20% of it falls in the form of snow. The maximum amount of precipitation occurs in the summer months - June-August.
The climatic conditions and relief of the country affect the formation of soils, the most common are podzolic and brown forest soils, the black soil accounts for a smaller area. Chernozems are characteristic of Central Moravia.
The territory of the Czech Republic is 60% covered with coniferous forest and among European countries it is the most wooded.
Deciduous and mixed forests account for 1/5 of each. The coniferous forest is represented by pine and spruce, while the deciduous forest is represented by beech and oak.
Alpine meadows are located above the forest border in mountainous areas. Mountain forests are home to lynx and numerous small animals - fox, squirrel, weasel, etc.
Major waterways of the country are:
- Vltava,
- Laba (Elba),
- Morava.
The river network is dense. The longest Czech river is the Vltava.
Most of the Czech lakes are reservoirs. The largest reservoir lakes include Lipno, Orlik, Novomlinskoe.
Resort zones have been created on some reservoirs.
Minerals of the Czech Republic
The reserves of minerals in the Czech Republic cannot be called very large, but the deposits of many of their types have different genetic types and economic significance.
The Vienna Basin is known for its oil and gas fields in production. The deposits themselves are small.
Of the larger ones, the Grushki oil field and the Visoka gas field are known. On the southeastern slopes of the Czech massif, the Zhdanice oil field was discovered, with reserves of about 15 million tons and the gas field Plant in the Vienna Basin, with reserves of more than 10 billion cubic meters. m.
Coal deposits are represented by hard coal, brown coal and lignite. Coking coals are found in the largest Ostrava-Karvinas basin. Coal seams have an average thickness of 2.4 to 3 m.
The Polish Lower Silesian coal basin continues on the territory of the Czech Republic. Within the Czech Republic, it is called the East Bohemian Basin, its area is 600 sq. km. The thickness of coal seams reaches 1 m and rarely reaches 3 m.
The largest brown coal mining is the North Bohemian basin. Sokolovsky and Cheb basins are quite significant in terms of coal reserves.
In terms of its importance, the Sokolovsky basin is considered the second in the country. It covers an area of \u200b\u200bover 200 sq. km and contains three coal seams of working capacity. Explored 750 million tons.
The coal reserves of the Cheb Basin are about 1 billion tons on an area of \u200b\u200b300 sq. km. The basin contains one layer of low quality brown coal.
The reserves of uranium ores in the Ore Mountains are significant, the most famous deposit here is Jachymov, but the ores are almost depleted.
Other uranium deposits include Zadni-Chodov, Pribram and Gamrayona-Jezere - these are Western, Central and North Bohemia, respectively.
Non-ferrous metals are mainly represented by deposits of polymetallic ores. Such deposits as Pribram and Kut-na-Gora have already been worked out. Another metallogenic region is the Jeseniki Mountains, where copper, lead and zinc deposits are located.
A fairly large deposit of copper-nickel ores was formed in the Czech-Moravian Upland, but it is poor in ore content.
Gold deposits are known in the middle reaches of the Vltava. Silver is found in a number of polymetallic deposits; its main reserves are located in the Pribram deposit.
Nonmetallic resources are represented by kaolin, refractory and ceramic clays, magnesite, bentonite, glass sands, feldspar and quartz raw materials.
Deposits of graphite and fluorite represent a special group. Graphite occurs in South Bohemia - the Cesky Krumlov and Lazets deposits, as well as in South Bohemia and Moravia - Konstantin, Jeseniki.
Nonmetallic minerals of the Czech Republic
There are also non-metallic raw materials in the depths of the country, but its reserves are also not large in size.
Quite often there are deposits of high-quality kaolin, the thickness of the kaolin layers reaches 15-40 m, and the content of the useful component reaches 29%.
Such deposits are known in the vicinity of the cities of Karlovy Vary and Plze - the deposits of Kaznejov, Horní Břiza.
Deposits of high-quality refractory clays are associated with the areas of coal deposits - the Rako-Gorzhkovets and Rakovnik deposits.
In the Cheb basin of the Czech Republic and in some other places, there are ceramic clays, also of high quality.
In South Bohemia, these are the Zliv, Klikov, Borovani deposits, there are deposits in the vicinity of Plzen.
High-quality bentonites, necessary for foundry production, are found in the Daupov Mountains and in the Czech Central Mountains.
The terraces of the Luznice River are associated with feldspar deposits within South Bohemia, and there are significant reserves of quartz raw materials in the Czech Cretaceous Basin - the Strzelech and Srni deposits.
The facing stone is represented by limestone, marble, travertine and granitoids.
The main centers of limestone distribution are Central Bohemia, Moravian Kras.
Large reserves of shale, containing 10-15% sulfur and manganese, are found in Chvaletica near the town of Kolin. The reserves are estimated at 426 million tons.
Deposits of building materials - facing and decorative stone, pebble, brick clay, are common throughout the country. True, the development of these resources is limited by environmental legislation.
Precious and ornamental stones include Czech garnets from the Bohemian Midlands, tektites from South Bohemia, agate, and jasper from North Bohemia.
The country's great wealth is its mineral springs, of which there are more than 2000.
The largest of them are Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, Frantiskovy Lazne, Jachymov, Kinhvart, Konstantinovy \u200b\u200bLazne, located in Central Bohemia, in Moravia - Luhacovice, Teplice nad Becvoy, Darkov, Velke Losinj, Jesenik and others.
Minerals of the Czech Republic.
1. General information
On ter. Ch. Established a large number of births. k.k. many species and different genetic ones. types; there are several sources of iron, manganese, barite, gold, tin, fluorite, uranium, molybdenum, lead, zinc and copper, but no chromium, platinum (Table 1). Among the EU countries, the Czech Republic ranks 6th in terms of graphite reserves, 7th diatomite, 8th brown coal, and 9th kaolin (Gluckauf, No. 1, 2002). At the same time, Ch. Is experiencing a shortage of oil, natural gas, and metal ores. Chemical raw materials are also imported - sulfur, phosphates, potassium salts. All mineral resources of Ch. Can be classified according to the following sections: 1. Raw materials, deposits of which are practically absent in the country: chromium, platinum, sulfur, phosphates and potassium salts. 2. Raw materials, iron, manganese, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, cobalt, asbestos, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, limestone, coal, lignite, bitumen and graphite are available in limited quantities. 3. Raw materials that can meet domestic industrial needs in the future: feldspar, quartz. 4. The raw materials currently meet the domestic industrial needs: kaolin, refractory ceramic clays, bentonite and antimony. 5. Raw materials, which are in such large quantities that its development requires solving the issues of balance of production-consumption and environmental protection: limestone, clay, gravel and stone. 6. Raw materials exist in very limited quantities, at the present level of technological development they cannot be used: molybdenum, scattered elements.
2. Some minerals of the Czech Republic as of 1998-99
Minerals | Share in the world,% |
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3. Certain types of minerals
Coal. Prom. coal content is associated with deposits of the Carboniferous and Tertiary periods. Largest coal bass. - Ostrava-Karvinsky coal. Sir. thickness 2.4-3 m. Brown coals are concentrated gh. in the North Bohemian basin.
Uranus. The reserves of uranium ore in Ch. Are very significant. Main the type of mineralization is represented by the U-Ag-Bi-Co-Ni formation developed in the Ore Mountains. More childbirth. Jachymov, discovered back in 1516, the ore reserves have already been worked out. Genus. Located in the districts Zadnie-Chodov (Zakh. Czech Republic), Pribram (Ser. Czech Republic) and Dolni-Rozhinka (Pivd. Moravia), are represented by hydrothermal types, and in the Hamr-na-Ezer region (North Bohemia) - uranium bearing chalk sandstones.
Non-ferrous metals and polymetals. Childbirth. non-ferrous metal ores are represented by transl. polymetallic ores. These include the previously worked-out childbirth. Pribram (Pb, Zn, Ag), associated with diabases, and similar genera. Kutna Hora. Another well-known metallogenic region is the Jesenik Mountains, where genera are dated in the vicinity of Zlato-Gora up to the Lower Devonian quartzites. Cu, Pb and Zn, as well as vein genera. Zn + Pb of the same age: Horni-Benesov, Horni-Mesto, etc. In the Ore Mountains region, pneumatolytic and hydrothermal mineralization of the tin-tungsten genera is of prime importance. greisen type - Zinovets, Krasno (with a content of 0.2-0.3% Sn; 0.05% W). On the Moravian Upland there is a large, but poor copper-nickel (cobalt) genus. Old Ransky, associated with basic rocks. Silver is found in some polymetallic genera. Ch. silver reserves were concentrated in genera. Pribram.
Nonmetallic minerals particular births are presented. kaolin, refractory and ceramic clays, magnesite, bentonite, glass sands, feldspar and quartz raw materials, limestone and other materials, including facing and ornamental stone. A special group of minerals are genera. graphite and fluorite. Graphite belongs to the traditional types of c.c. Czech Republic. Childbirth. represented by crystalline lenses. graphite in the development of moldanubicum Vost. Czech Republic (Cesky Krumlov, Lazets) and childbirth. amorphous graphite Vost. Czech Republic and North. Moravia (Constantine, Jesenik). Fluorite and fluorite-barite genera. Ch. Associated with the Lower Mesozoic and Oligocene-Miocene mineralization. Num. high quality ceramic deposits. kaolin with a thickness of 15-40 m with a content of the useful component in sulfur. 29% are known in the vicinity of Karlovy Vary, they were formed as a result of weathering (kaolinization) of granites in the Tertiary period. In the vicinity of Pilsen, kaolin deposits, suitable for the paper industry, were formed due to arkosic and arkose sandstones of Carboniferous age. The thickness of the deposits is 20-30 m, the content of the useful fraction is approx. 20%. Similar childbirth. known in the area of \u200b\u200bPodborzhany (Zach. Czech Republic). Childbirth. high-quality refractory clays are confined to the Carboniferous deposits of the Czech Republic (Rako-Gorzhkovets, Rakovnik), in the Cenomanian Zap. Moravia and Czech Republic. High-quality ceramic clays occur in the Pliocene deposits of the Vost. Czech Republic, Miocene - in the vicinity of Pilsen. Large childbirth. bentonites for foundry production are confined to Tertiary pyroclastic deposits in the Bohemian midlands. Feldspar raw materials are associated with the Quaternary accumulative terraces of the city of Luznice (Pivd. Czech Republic), with pegmatites and with leucocratic granites. With quartz raw materials, significant genera. glass sands of cognac and mid-Turonian age in the Czech chalk bass. In addition, in Ch. Is childbirth. magnesite, limestone, dolomite, diatomite, talc, zeolite. In the Czech Republic there are many genera. Proterozoic pyritized shales containing 10-15% sulfur and about the same amount of manganese (Khvalititsa). Large reserves of these shales (about 430 million tons) are a potential resource of S, Mn.
Construction Materials. Throughout the rub. Ch. Widespread deposits of .. materials (facing and decorative stone, pebbles, brick clays, etc.), but their development is often limited by environmental legislation. Famous genera. various precious and semi-precious stones. These are Czech garnets, tektites (moldavite), agate and jasper.
Mineral springs. Based on the number. There are dozens of resorts operating in Ch. mineral springs. The most famous of them are: in Zap. Czech Republic (Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, Frantiskovy Lazne, Jachymov, Kienhvart, Konstantin Lazne) and Central Bohemia (Podebrady) in Moravia - Luhacovice, Teplice nad Becvoy, Darkov, Velké Losiny, Jesenik, etc.
See also
Sources
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