LOCATION :

The Karlovy Vary Region  was formed from the former districts of Karlovy Vary, Cheb and Sokolov . Of the 14  regions in the Czech Republic, the Karlovy Vary Region is the third smallest in area and has the fewest inhabitants. It is located in the western part of the Czech Republic on the border with Germany. Its neighboring German regions are Saxony and Bavaria with which it enjoys mutually advantageous cooperation. The Karlovy Vary and Ústí nad Labem Regions make up the EU defined border area "NUTS2 Northwest", and this unit benefits from EU funded support programs. The first Regional European Information Office in the region was set up in Mariánské Lázně.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT :

ECONOMY :

Most people in the region work in the building, energy, mining and forestry industries. A large number of people are also employed in the many spa centers throughout the region. Regional industry relies heavily on local raw materials. The forests, rivers and coalmines provide most of the industries' requirements. This area also has a long-standing tradition of manufacturing fine porcelain and glassware. Musical instruments are also crafted in the Karlovy Vary area. In and around Sokolov there are several electrical power stations and chemical production plants as well as brown coal mines. The area surrounding Cheb is mainly associated with textiles, food processing and kaolin mining (kaolin is a fine white clay used in porcelain production). Only 17.6% of the regional area is arable farmland. The main crops are cereal grains and corn, and the region has a growing number of cattle breeding programs.

SPA INDUSTRY :

The Karlovy Vary Region sets itself apart from the rest of the Czech Republic because of its underground network of hot and cold mineral springs which have made Karlovy Vary one of the largest spa treatment centers in Europe. These mineral springs of various temperatures have medical properties which can help people who suffer from digestive tract, metabolic and certain arthritic disorders, to name but a few.       About 100 springs rise naturally from underground, but only 12 are used in the treatment of health problems. Mariánské Lázně is another spa town famous for its carefully manicured parks, woods and historical architecture. Františkovy Lázně near the German border is an old spa town which has retained its architecture and monuments, making it one of the most attractive towns in the region. Jáchymov became famous just after its founding in 1516 for its silver mines, and it went on to mint silver coins. The worlds's first radium spa was established here by Nobel Prize winners Marie and Pierre Curie.

SIGHTSEEING AND PLACES OF INTERESTS :

Most tourists come to our region to visit the spa towns, however there are many other interesting places to see during your stay in the Karlovy Vary Region. Cheb is one of the oldest towns in the Czech Republic. The old town centre retains much of its historic architecture. One example of this are 11 picturesque old timber-framed buildings called Špalíček. The Teplá Monastery, located south of Karlovy Vary has been home to the Norbertine Order of monks for the past 800 years. The monks still live in the abbey today and it is open to the public. You can visit the library housing 100,000 volumes of historic and scientific literature and enjoy a guided tour around the grounds and buildings. The Karlovy Vary Region is home to many castles and chateaux such as Loket, Bečov, Chyše, Valeč, Vildštejn u Skalné, Chlum sv. Máří, Ostroh u Chebu, Hauenštejn and Andělská Hora.

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL EVENTS :

Cultural and social events are an important part of life in the Karlovy Vary Region. Many of these events are well known all over the world, e.g. the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Mariánské Lázně hosts a Chopin Music Festival and Františkovy Lázně holds summer long concerts including a week of Johann Strauss. In Cheb there is an International Jazz Festival and Brass Music Festival performed by youth bands from the Czech Republic and abroad. Every year in June the opening of the spa season is a time of great celebration and attracts many visitors from the world over.

SPORT :

The Czech people participate keenly in a wide range of sports. Tourists and visitors to the region can experience many different sports all year round, either as an active participant or spectator. Some of the more common sports are canoeing, rafting, cycling, triathlon, skiing and ice hockey. The town of Karlovy Vary has an excellent race track for the equestrian enthusiast. There are two 18- hole golf resorts in Karlovy Vary, an 18- hole golf course in Mariánské Lázně, and 9-hole courses in Luby and Teplá. There are many swimming pools in the area and almost every town has tennis courts. For those of you looking for more relaxed activities, the Ohře and Teplá rivers are perfect places for fishing. There are many reservoirs in the area, which also offer varied and tranquil settings for fishing. While angling for that perfect fish, you can enjoy some of the most idyllic settings to be found in Europe. You can do some downhill or cross country skiing in the Krušné Hory mountains, with high quality slopes and trails and lots of winter snow. The Karlovy Vary Region is networked with cycling and trekking routes through some of the most beautiful forests and countryside in Europe. The towns and villages offer traditional cuisine and hospitality in pubs, hotels and boarding houses throughout the region.