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The area of Karlovy Vary (Karlovarsky)
region is very specific because of its inner differentiation
concerning the natural conditions, industrial structure
and environment. Structure of the industry in the region
is varied. In Karlovy Vary and Cheb Townships, the main
priority lies in spas and tourist trade. Sokolov Township
is specific by high concentration of coal mining, power
industry, chemical and engineering production. The region
also has several traditional industries as productions
of glass, pottery, spirits (Becherovka), mineral waters,
musical instruments and textile. There is a long process
of privatisation, reclassification of the industry,
lowering the number of bigger and increasing the number
of middle-sized and smaller companies and individual
businessmen. It also redirected export conditions to
the more demanding markets and so on. This process puts
the whole industry under pressure, which requires complicated
changes. Location of the region in the middle of Europe,
its inner potential, natural and cultural conditions
and long history of the region make a good ground for
future successful development of the region.
Karlovy Vary region is the most western part of the
Czech Republic. More than half of the overall border
creates the border with Germany. To the west it borders
with Bavaria and to the north with Saxony. To the south
it borders with Pilsen region, to the east with Usti
region. The region is not very rich for subterranean
waters (with the exception of mineral waters). Almost
the whole area belongs to Ohre drainage area. To the
southeast there is also Berounka drainage area. From
the northern slopes of Krusne hory the water flows to
the Saxon affluent of the river Elbe. To the north of
Ohre river are the mountain ranges Smrciny and Krusne
hory, which create the natural border with Germany.
To the south of Ohre river, on the Bavarian border are
the famous forest areas Cesky les and, towards inlands,
Slavkovsky les and Doupovske hory mountain ranges. South
of the region is made of highlands called Tepelska vrchovina.
The highest point of the region is Krusne hory peak
called Klinovec (1 244 meters above the sea level),
the lowest place (320 meters above the sea level) is
situated on the regional borders in Karlovy Vary Township.
In Cheb Township, the altitude ranges from 418 to 820
meters above the sea level, in Sokolov Township it ranges
from 375 to 991 meters above the sea level. The landscape
is mainly hilly. Considering the climatic conditions,
the region can be described as mild warm with approximately
30 summer days, 130 days with subzero temperatures and
the average temperature above 6°C. The annual rainfall
rate reaches 700 mm. On some places, especially to the
north of the region in Krusne hory and also to the southeast
(north of Marianske Lazne), the climatic conditions
are colder with approximately 20 summer days, 160 days
with subzero temperatures and temperature average of
5°C. The annual rainfall rate reaches 1000 mm. Such
climatic conditions and the soil are not good for development
of agriculture. From the natural sources it is important
to mention lignite, pottery clay, smaller deposits of
iron ore and pitchblende. Very important are the sources
of mineral and curative waters.
Karlovy Vary region is the second smallest right behind
Liberec region. Its area reaches 3,314,4 km2 and takes
up 4.2% of the Czech Republic overall area. Forested
area stretches over 1,429 km2 and gives the forestation
rate of 43.1%, which is 1.3 more than the Czech average.
This number is the second highest, first place belongs
to Liberec. Agricultural land acreage of 1,255.4 km2
is smaller than the forested area, which is exceptional
among the Czech regions. Arable land share does not
reach even half of the average share in the Czech Republic
and has the lowest level among the regions (584.6 km2
equals 17.6% of the overall area of the region).
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