Plzeň Region

Plzeň Region or Plzeňský Region (also known as Pilsen Region; Czech: Plzeňský kraj) is an administrative unit (kraj) of the Czech Republic, located in the western part of the historical land of Bohemia and named after the capital, Plzeň. In terms of area, Plzeň Region is 7,561 km (2,919 sq mi), the third largest region in the Czech Republic. However, with a population of about 585,000 inhabitants it is the ninth most populous region. After the South Bohemian Region it is the second least densely populated region. The region can be roughly divided into two parts: a highly industrialized north-eastern part with a strong engineering tradition around Pilsen (Czech: Plzeň) and a more hilly and rural south-western part with smaller-sized manufacturing companies processing natural resources.

The region borders the Karlovy Vary Region (to the north-west), Ústí nad Labem Region (to the north), Central Bohemian Region (north-east), South Bohemian Region (to the east) and with Bavaria (part of Germany) in the south-west and west. The region was established based on the constitutional Act No. 347/97 of Collections concerning the formation of higher territorial administrative units. The region and its authorities are specified by Act No. 129/2000 of Collections concerning regions, which came into effect on the day of the regional authorities elections, or on 1 January 2001.