Pardubice

Location

The Pardubice region is located in eastern Bohemia and borders Poland. The centre of the region is Pardubice - 100 km east of Prague - other important towns include Chrudim, Svitavy and Ústí nad Orlicí. The region is divided into four administrative districts - Pardubice, Chrudim, Svitavy and Ústí nad Orlicí.

Covering an area 4,519 km2 (5.7% of the Czech Republic), the Pardubice region is the fifth smallest region of the Czech Republic. Forested lands cover 29.4% of the region. The region's highest point is Králický Sněžník (1,424 metres above sea level), which is the third-highest place in the Czech Republic. The lowest point in the region is the surface of the Labe River at Kojice on the region's western border (202 metres above sea level).

Investment climate

The Pardubice region is a place of not only industrial concentration, but also commercial and public services. The structure of industrial production is varied. General engineering is the region's dominant industry, though the textile, clothing and leather industries are also of significance. The chemical industry accounts the highest percentage of chemical production in the Czech Republic. The agricultural sector is also significant.

The region's economic prosperity is considerably enhanced by its excellent transport accessibility. A railway corridor and road system, as well as water and air transport, are available. Recently the region has been receiving strong interest from foreign investors who wish to take advantage of the local industrial zones. A number of important foreign companies have used the investment opportunities offered by the region.

The region is very well-situated with regard to its proximity to the capital and quality transport link in the form of the D11 highway. Another important factor is the region's position with respect to the significant carmakers TPCA, Kia, and Hyundai.

The only university in the region is the University of Pardubice, which provides education in five faculties - chemical technology, economics and administration, transportation, restoration and arts and humanities. The university, in cooperation with the Pardubice regional authorities, created TechnoPark Pardubice oriented toward the automotive industry, chemistry, electronics and information technologies. A business incubator is projected for the park. The University of Pardubice is an R&D partner of the Research Institute of Organic Syntheses. The outcome of this partnership is a joint laboratory for NMR spectroscopy.

As eastern Bohemia has potential in the production and processing of plastics, firms in the region cooperate within the Technical Plastics Cluster. Other cluster initiatives are planned in the fields of electrical engineering, tool-making and nanotechnologies. The region offers opportunities for innovation and computer firms, biomedicine, and pharmaceuticals, and supports the establishment of technology centres.

Leisure and tourism

Diversity and contrasts are typical of the Pardubice region's landscape. The topography ranges from the fertile Polabí lowlands to the Orlické Mountains and Králický Sněžník, which is also known as the "roof of Europe" because the main European watershed is located there.

The region's most beautiful natural locations include Toulovcovy and Městské Maštale, i.e. intricate systems of rock fissures and caverns, the Zemská brána nature preserve on the Polish border, and landscape adorned with picturesque fish ponds and reeds near the spa town of Lázně Bohdaneč.

The Pardubice region is well known for horse breeding, exemplified by one of the world's oldest horse farms in Kladruby nad Labem, whose history dates back to the first half of the 16th century, and the region is home to a full range of equestrian centres and riding clubs. With a tradition spanning over 100 years, the Great Pardubice Steeplechase is the continent's oldest and most demanding race. An equestrian museum is housed in the Slatiňany chateau.

Motorcycle enthusiasts can enjoy the Golden Helmet speedway races. There is a nine-hole golf course in the spa town of Lázně Bohdaneč, and a water park in Moravská Třebová.

Visitors to the Pardubice region will find numerous monuments and historical landmarks - important castles, chateau and churches. Above all, it is necessary to mention the beautiful renaissance chateau in Litomyšl, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where each year one of Europe's most important opera festivals takes place. Those interested in historical landmarks and architecture will appreciate the chateau complex in Moravská Třebová, the chateau with its unique fortification system in Pardubice, the rococo gem Nové Hrady and other such sites.

From landmarks of the modern age, we must travel back in time to the castles of the Middle Ages. Among the most well-preserved in the Pardubice region is Litice, a castle situated on an island in the Orlice River. The Kunětická hora castle near the city of Pardubice offers visitors a beautiful view, and the Košumberk and Svojanov castles should not be missed. Many historical sites in the region are enlivened by interesting cultural programmes on the weekends.

The region is characterised by its beautiful countryside, a mild climate and a number of opportunities for swimming, water sports, hiking, cycling and winter sports.

There are convenient conditions for various activities in the region.