The Zlin Region
List of Cities/Towns
Basic Info
The Zlin region is situated in the eastern part of the Czech Republic and its administrative centre is Zlin. The eastern boundary of this region is at the same time the state border with the Slovak Republic. The Zlin region neighbours with the South Moravian Region at its southwest, with the Olomouc region at its northwest and with the Moravian-Silesian region at its north. The Zlin region covers an area of 3,964 sq. km., which makes it the fourth smallest region of the Czech Republic. Today, this region has 300 municipalities altogether - 29 of them are towns, which are inhabited by a total population of 594,060. 61.2% of the region's population lives in towns. The settlement structure is mainly concentrated in the lowlands, where settlements of up to 2,000 inhabitants are distinctively represented.
The Zlin region occupies the central part of eastern Moravia and its natural conditions differ considerably from place to place. In its western part, there are two Moravian ravines - the lower part of the Hornomoravsky Ravine and the northern part of the Dolnomoravsky Ravine. To the east, the countryside climbs up to the mountains, which belong to Carpathian Mountain Range - the Beskydy Mountains, Javorniky Mountains and Bile Karpaty Mountains. This has an influence on the differences in both climatic conditions and characteristics of soil in this area. The territory of ravines is deforested, and the mountain areas are covered by large growths of coniferous tree.
Large companies are the core of the region's economy. The most important companies are those engaged in the rubber industry, plastics industry, general engineering, textile industry, clothing industry, tanning industry and electrotechnics. The agriculture is concentrated in the lowlands. Very good conditions in the ravines (black soil and warm climate) make it possible to grow wheat, sugar-beet and malting barley. In the foothills and mountain areas, the growing of potatoes and of fodder crops prevails.
As for the scenic beauty and characteristics, Valassko is one of the most attractive places in this region. Well know are the outdoor museum in Roznov pod Radhostem and the Luhacovice spa for therapy of air passages and the digestive tract. Other important towns in this region are Uherske Hradiste, Kromeriz, Vsetin and Valasske Mezirici. The Protected Landscape Area Bile Karpaty is also on the UNESCO List of Biospheric Reservations. Another Protected Landscape Area Beskydy can be found in the northern part of the Zlin region.