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Pilsen (Plzensky) region is situated
in the southwest of the Czech Republic. To the west
it borders with Bavarian region in Germany, to the northwest
with Karlovy Vary region, to the northeast with Central
Bohemian region and to the southeast with South Bohemian
region.
The area of 7,561 km2 makes it the third largest region
in the Czech Republic. As far as population is concerned,
the region places 9th in CR. The seven townships (Domazlice,
Klatovy, Pilsen-city, Pilsen-south, Pilsen-north, Rokycany
and Tachov) are areas with different landscapes, population
structure, economy and settlements. Diversity of the
region is given mainly by the landscape. From the geographical
system point of view, the region can be divided to several
parts: highlands Pilsenska pahorkatina and Brdska vrchovina
(part), Cesky les and Sumava. Climatic, geological and
hydrological conditions differ from area to area. Raw
material resources, which are the main potential for
the development of processing industry, are situated
inland, especially around the town of Pilsen. Among
the most important resources are black coal, heat-resistant
and pottery clay and building stone. Limestone can be
found in Sumava foothills. There are good conditions
for agriculture in the region. Agricultural land covers
approximately 51% of the region with 35% share of arable
land. Wide resources of wood distinguish forestry. Forested
areas cover 39% of the region (especially the forest
in Sumava, Cesky les and highlands called Brdska vrchovina).
Concerning the cut activities, Pilsen region places
second in the Czech Republic, right behind South Bohemian
region (majority of coniferous cut).
Pilsen region reached 5.1% share on the Czech GDP. In
the share per citizen, it places second in the Czech
Republic. Important placement among other regions is
influenced by high economical productivity in Pilsen.
Almost one third of industrial objects in the region
are situated in Pilsen. When we compare individual industries
in the region by their sales, the most important positions
belong to food processing industry and electro-technical
industry.
Among the most important food processing companies in
the region are Plzensky Prazdroj a.s., Stock Pilsen
a.s., Bohemia Sekt Ceskomoravska vinarska a.s. in Stary
Plzenec. Other important industrial subject with influence
on regional economy are: Skoda Pilsen, Chlumcanske keramicke
zavody, Keramika Horni Briza, Dioss Nyrany, Zelezarny
Hradek. Pilsen region is also attractive for investors,
especially because of its location. Among the most important
foreign investors are the Japanese company Matsushita
Television Central Europe producing Panasonic TVs in
Pilsen and Meindl in Stoda, where it produces roof coverings.
Important car part company is Siemens in Stribro, Pilsen
and Prestice together with Vishay Electronic s.r.o.,
producing electronic spare parts. Raw material deposits
make a good base for processing industry. The most important
mines offer kaolin, limestone and brick and pottery
clay.
As to the year 2000, 176,910 people were employed in
the region, which is more than 25% of region's population.
More than 40% of the people are employed in industry.
Other high numbers can be found in employment in transport,
warehousing and communication, education, agriculture,
forestry and fishery. According to the economical subject
registry, as to December 31st, 2000, there were 107,761
subjects in the region. Most of them are businessmen
not registered in company register. More than one third
of the subjects are based in Pilsen - city. Very important
role in employment rate have the 39 subject with more
than 500 employees. 14 of them employ more than 1,000
people. Among the companies with the highest number
of employees are the Teaching Hospital, Skoda Energo
s. r. o., Siemens Automobilova technika s. r. o., Plzensky
Prazdroj a. s., West Bohemian University in Pilsen,
Matsushita Television Central Europe, s. r. o., Keramika
Horni Briza a. s., Zelezarny Hradek a. s., Dioss Nyrany
a. s., Vishay Electronic spol. s r. o., Zapadoceska
energetika, a. s., Skoda JS a. s., Pilsenske mestske
dopravni podniky, a. s., Financial Headquarters in Pilsen
and the city of Pilsen.
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