The Liberec Region

Liberec region was industrialized during the last century and became part of the most developed and populated areas of Bohemia and Austria-Hungary monarchy. In that time, Liberec was the centre of German life in Bohemia and profited from being close to the economically developed areas Horni Luzice and Dolni Slezsko.

The main industries here were woollen and cotton industries. In the time of First Republic, the industrialization continued, it was above average figures, people were employed in glass and textile industries. The costume jewellery industry experienced its boom. Liberec became the centre of Sudety district with population of almost 3 million. When the WWII ended, almost 450,000 German citizens were displaced from Liberec region. Liberec region was founded after 1948. The region was the third smallest among the 19 regions, which existed then (population was the fifth lowest with 3.8 %).

The region produced 7 % of the Czech industrial production, more than 1/3 of glass and 1/5 of textile. The orientation on light industry resulted in the highest employment of women of all the regions. During 70-ies and 80-ies, intensive uranium mining started in the areas Ceskolipsko and Podjestedi. The development was accompanied by investment and house building, as well as population increase (in the period between 1950 and 1970 + 9,000 inhabitants, between 1970 and 1990 + 43,000). Uranium mines closed in 1990, the military area Ralsko (8 % of the region) was vacated as well.

During the early nineties, close border co-operation with Saxon villages started, as well as with Polish villages. Euroregion Nisa was founded and since then successfully develops co-operation in many various fields.

Liberec region is situated in the north of the Czech Republic. North border of the region is also a 20 kilometre long state border with Germany and 130-kilometre long border with Poland. To the east it borders with Kralovehradecky region, to the south with Central Bohemia region and to the west with Usti region.

The area of only 3,163 km2 makes it the smallest region with the overall share of 4.0 % of the Czech Republic overall area. Agricultural land spreads over 44.6 %. The share of arable land is a lot lower than the state average figures. On the other hand, there is a very high share of the forested areas (43,6 %).

The region is mainly hilly, with several mountain ranges - Luzicke hory, Jizerske hory, western part of Krkonose, including the foothills.

The highest point of the region is the peak called Kotel (1,435 meters above the sea level), near Harrachov in Semily Township. The lowest point (208 meters above the sea level) can be found in Liberec Township. There are three drainage areas. West part of the region belongs to Ploucnice, east belongs to upper Elbe and the north belongs to Odra (Nisa) drainage area. The subterranean water reservoirs are situated mainly along the south part of the region. To the northeast can be found the protected area of natural surface water accumulation. There are also mineral water and medicinal peat springs in the region.

The following raw materials are found in the region: glass and foundry sands, building stone, gravel and decorative stone. The centre of Semily Township is known for coalfields from the Podkrkonosska basin. Until recently, the most important status had the radioactive material mines in the Ceska Lipa Township.

Liberec region connects townships of Ceska Lipa, Jablonec nad Nisou and Liberec, which used to be part of the North Bohemia region before the territorial reform. Part of the region is also the Semily Township from East Bohemian region. In the late 2000, Liberec region had the population of 429,121 citizens (4.2 % of the Czech Republic). This figure makes it the second smallest. Average population density of 136 people per km2 is slightly higher than the Czech average.

The highest density is in Jablonec nad Nisou (219 people per km2) and Liberec (172 people per km2) townships. There are 216 municipalities in the region. Average area reaches 14.6 km2. The share of population in municipalities with less than 500 citizens reaches 5.7 %. Population in cities reaches 78.9 %. Lower urbanization is in Semily Township only, where only 60.6 % of people live in the cities. The main centre of the region is Liberec with almost 100,000 citizens. The second largest city is Jablonec nad Nisou with 45,000 citizens.

The demographical development of Liberec region is not much different from the other regions in the Czech Republic. The overall population increase during 1995-2000 reached only 147 people. Population age structure differs from township to township. The population in Ceska Lipa is among the youngest ones in the Czech Republic. Population in Semily Township belongs to the oldest ones. The population is gradually aging as a result of low birth rate.

Liberec region is mainly industrial. Among the most developed industries are glass, costume jewellery, engineering, plastic production and processing together with processing industry which has close ties with automobile production. Traditional textile industry lost its dominant place as a result of the downfall during last couple of years.

Many industries have foreign capital. The main products of agriculture, which has only supplemental role, are cereals and fodder crops in connection with cattle breeding. The fields of trade, building and transport increased their importance during last couple years. Travel industry is also very important for the region.

The GDP in 1997 reached 82.7 % of the Czech average per person and 46.1 % of the EU average. Liberec region produced 3.5 % of the Czech GDP. It belongs to regions with lower economy quality. Reclassification of industry and agriculture together with closing uranium production resulted in increased unemployment rate.

As to December 31st, 2000, the unemployment rate reached, based on employment office data, 6.44 % in Liberec region. This figure is the fourth smallest compared to the rest of the regions. The highest unemployment rate is in Liberec Township, the lowest in Jablonec nad Nisou.

Average salary in the region is constantly under Czech average, but the average is strongly influenced by markedly higher salaries in the capital, Prague. The structure of industry in the region also shows in the average salary. The industry employs a very high share of women.

The development of business activities virtually depends of the transport accessibility. The overall length of train lines in the region reaches 564 km. The density reaches 0.178 km/km2 and is 1/3 higher than the Czech average. Liberec region is situated in the segment between two highways D8 Prague - Usti nad Labem - Dresden and D11 Prague - Hradec Kralove- Lubowka - Legnica.

The main transport connection is the expressway from Prague, which is being completed near Liberec and is supposed to have four lanes. This should ensure good connection of the region with centre of the state. Second transport connection in the direction north-south is the road Svor - Ceska |Lipa - Melnik and in the direction west-east the road Decin - Novy Bor - Liberec - Hradek nad Nisou - Liberec - Turnov -Hradec Kralove. Class II roads make 20.1 % of all the roads, class III roads make 66.1 %.

The increase of automobile traffic has a negative influence on environment. Quality differs from place to place in the region. The main sources of pollution are combustion processes. There is also a strong influence of Czech and foreign power plants.

Higher rainfall rates, especially in the hilly area, make the region very important resource area of national importance. Protected areas of natural water accumulation Jizerske hory, Krkonose and Severoceska krida cover almost 60 % of the area. The number of such areas is the highest among the Czech regions. This also means high demands on water protection in the region in connection with the industrial development.

From the scientific point of view, Liberec region is highly important and is known for its variety of eco-systems, high concentration of protected areas and many localities of botanical and zoological importance. There are five protected landscape areas in the region (Ceske stredohori, Jizerske hory, Luzicke hory, Cesky raj, Kokorinsko). There are also 13 national nature reserves, 7 national nature sights, 29 wilderness areas and 40 nature sanctuaries.

There is one very specific area in the region - the former military zone Ralsko in Ceska Lipa Township. This military training area was founded in early fifties and resulted in destroying many villages. Since 1968, the former Soviet Union army was located here. After their departure the status of military zone was cancelled. Military use of the area left behind many objects and premises which future is not clear so far.

Education is represented by a stabilized network of elementary schools. There is high number of specialized schools in the region (for pupils aged between 3 and 19 suffering from mental or physical handicaps, hearing, eyesight and speech defects). Since 1990, the number of high schools and vocational schools increased, the number of training colleges decreased. There are also many artistic schools of national importance. Among them are mainly the glass and costume jewellery schools.

University education in the region is represented by the Technical University Liberec. The number of students and faculties increased rapidly after 1990. Former engineering and textile faculties were joined by pedagogy, industry, architecture and mechatronics and with inter-branch studies. The textile faculty is the only one in the Czech Republic.

The basic health care is taken care of by a network of clinics and apothecaries, which in number and structure conform to the needs of the region. Emergency, following and rehab care are ensured by the stabilized network of hospitals (10 in the region), long-term bed care is offered in hospices. The most important medical institution in the region is Liberec hospital.

Considering the basic and specialized fields, the hospital is mainly regional, in case of highly specialized fields the hospital is of national importance. Also of national importance is the Hand Surgery Institute in Vysoke nad Jizerou. There are two spas in the region (Lazne Libverda, Lazne Kunratice), where locomotive organs, heart, circulatory system and rheumatism are cured.

Liberec has a long historical tradition, which can be noticed in the number of building and historical sights and cultural amenities. Among the institutions of national importance are Liberec theatres F. X. Saldy and Naivni divadlo (Naive Theatre), ZOO and Botanic Garden, number of museums and galleries all around the region. The State Scientific Library in Liberec has a very important status. There are also 268 other libraries in lower territorial units. Very important are also stagio theatres (without own cast and production).

Liberec region is very important for travel industry. Exceptional nature, nature formations, interesting places and historical sights of the region attract many domestic and foreign visitors. There are several specific areas in the region / Krkonose /western part/, Jizerske hory, Turnovsko-Cesky Raj, Doksy and surroundings, Luzicke hory, Podkrkonosi/, which have very strong ties with travel industry.

Among the objects with historical value and plenty of visitors are the strongholds and castles Bezdez, Zakupy, Lemberk, Frydlant, Sychov, Hruby Rohozec, Valdstejn and many religious objects. The landscape also has many waters, among which the most popular is Machovo jezero. The region can offer the capacity of 53,600 beds in several categories of accommodation. There is a high concentration of private accommodation possibilities (cottages and chalets) reaching 23,000. The development is also supported by bigger and smaller border crossings.