Geography of the Czech Republic: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Automated conversion
 
m dash to en dash (via WP:JWB)
 
(214 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Geographical features of the Czech Republic}}
<b>Location:</b>
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
Central Europe, southeast of Germany
{{Country geography
<p><b>Geographic coordinates:</b>
|name = Czech Republic
49 45 N, 15 30 E
|map = Relief Map of Czech Republic.png
<p><b>Map references:</b>
|map size =
Europe
|continent =[[Europe]]
<p><b>Area:</b>
|region = [[Central Europe]]
<br><i>total:</i>
|coordinates =
78,866 sq km
|area ranking = 115th
<br><i>land:</i>
|km area = 78,871
77,276 sq km
<br><i>water:</i>
|percent water = 2.12
|km coastline = 0
1,590 sq km
|borders = 2290.7 km<ref>{{cite web |title=Základní informace o ČR|url=https://www.mzv.cz/bratislava/cz/cr_a_eu/zakladni_informace_o_cr/index.html|publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Czech Republic)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic]]|language=cs|access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> <br />
<p><b>Area - comparative:</b>
* [[Germany]] – 810.3 km
slightly smaller than South Carolina
* [[Poland]] – 761.8 km
<p><b>Land boundaries:</b>
* [[Austria]] – 466.3 km
<br><i>total:</i>
* [[Slovakia]] – 252.3 km
1,881 km
<br><i>border countries:</i>
Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km, Slovakia 215 km
<p><b>Coastline:</b>
0 km (landlocked)
<p><b>Maritime claims:</b>
none (landlocked)
<p><b>Climate:</b>
temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
<p><b>Terrain:</b>
Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country
<p><b>Elevation extremes:</b>
<br><i>lowest point:</i>
Elbe River 115 m
<br><i>highest point:</i>
Snezka 1,602 m
<p><b>Natural resources:</b>
hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber
<p><b>Land use:</b>
<br><i>arable land:</i>
41%
<br><i>permanent crops:</i>
2%
<br><i>permanent pastures:</i>
11%
<br><i>forests and woodland:</i>
34%
<br><i>other:</i>
12% (1993 est.)
<p><b>Irrigated land:</b>
240 sq km (1993 est.)
<p><b>Natural hazards:</b>
flooding
<p><b>Environment - current issues:</b>
air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests
<p><b>Environment - international agreements:</b>
<br><i>party to:</i>
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
<br><i>signed, but not ratified:</i>
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
<p><b>Geography - note:</b>
landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe


|highest point = [[Sněžka]],<br /> 1603.3 m
:''See also :'' [[Czech republic]]
|lowest point = [[Hřensko]],<br /> 115 m
|longest river = [[Vltava]], <br /> 433 km
|largest lake = [[Černé jezero|Černé]], <br /> 18.4 ha
|climate = [[temperate]]
|terrain = hills and lowlands surrounded by low mountains
|natural resources = [[kaolin]], [[lithium]], [[graphite]], [[Bituminous coal|black coal]], [[brown coal]], [[uranium]], [[timber]]
|natural hazards =
|environmental issues =
|exclusive economic zone=
}}

The [[Czech Republic]] is a [[landlocked country]] in [[Central Europe]]. It is bordered by [[Germany]] to the west, [[Austria]] to the south, [[Slovakia]] to the east and [[Poland]] to the north. It consists mostly of low hills and [[plateau]]s surrounded along the borders by low mountains. Two areas of lowlands follow the [[Elbe]] river and the [[Morava (river)|Morava]] river. About a third of the area of the Czech Republic is covered by forests.

The Czech Republic also possesses [[Moldauhafen]], a 30,000 m<sup>2</sup> [[enclave]] in the middle of [[Hamburg]] docks in Germany, which was awarded to [[Czechoslovakia]] by Article 363 of the [[Treaty of Versailles]] to allow the landlocked country a place where goods transported down river could be transferred to seagoing ships. This territory reverts to Germany in 2028.

==Physical geography==
{{see also|Geomorphological division of the Czech Republic}}

===Climate===
[[File:Czech_Republic_Köppen.svg|thumb|Köppen climate classification of the Czech Republic]]
{{main|Climate of the Czech Republic}}

The Czech Republic's climate is temperate, transitional between an [[oceanic climate]] and a [[continental climate]]. The summers are rather cool and dry, with average temperatures in most areas around 20&nbsp;°C, the winters are fairly mild and wet with temperatures averaging around 0&nbsp;°C in most areas. The [[relative humidity]] varies between 60% and 80%.

==== Examples ====
{{Weather box
|width=auto
|location=Prague (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1775–present)
|metric first=Yes
|single line=Yes
|collapsed=Yes
|Jan record high C=17.4
|Feb record high C=19.2
|Mar record high C=22.5
|Apr record high C=28.8
|May record high C=32.5
|Jun record high C=37.9
|Jul record high C=37.8
|Aug record high C=37.4
|Sep record high C=33.1
|Oct record high C=27.0
|Nov record high C=19.5
|Dec record high C=17.4
|year record high C=37.9
|Jan high C=2.6
|Feb high C=4.4
|Mar high C=9.1
|Apr high C=15.1
|May high C=20.3
|Jun high C=22.8
|Jul high C=25.3
|Aug high C=25.1
|Sep high C=19.9
|Oct high C=14.2
|Nov high C=7.2
|Dec high C=3.4
|year high C=

|Jan mean C=0.1
|Feb mean C=1.3
|Mar mean C=5.3
|Apr mean C=10.1
|May mean C=15.0
|Jun mean C=17.8
|Jul mean C=19.9
|Aug mean C=19.6
|Sep mean C=15.2
|Oct mean C=10.3
|Nov mean C=4.6
|Dec mean C=1.1

|Jan low C=−2.4
|Feb low C=−1.8
|Mar low C=1.5
|Apr low C=5.1
|May low C=9.7
|Jun low C=12.7
|Jul low C=14.5
|Aug low C=14.2
|Sep low C=10.5
|Oct low C=6.4
|Nov low C=2.1
|Dec low C=−1.1
|year low C=
|Jan record low C=−27.5
|Feb record low C=−27.1
|Mar record low C=−27.6
|Apr record low C=−8.0
|May record low C=−2.3
|Jun record low C=1.9
|Jul record low C=6.7
|Aug record low C=6.4
|Sep record low C=0.7
|Oct record low C=−7.5
|Nov record low C=−16.9
|Dec record low C=−24.8
|year record low C=−27.6
|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation mm=34
|Feb precipitation mm=30
|Mar precipitation mm=40
|Apr precipitation mm=34
|May precipitation mm=63
|Jun precipitation mm=70
|Jul precipitation mm=82
|Aug precipitation mm=75
|Sep precipitation mm=47
|Oct precipitation mm=34
|Nov precipitation mm=40
|Dec precipitation mm=38
|year precipitation mm=587
|Jan snow cm=17.9
|Feb snow cm=15.9
|Mar snow cm=10.3
|Apr snow cm=2.9
|May snow cm=0.0
|Jun snow cm=0.0
|Jul snow cm=0.0
|Aug snow cm=0.0
|Sep snow cm=0.0
|Oct snow cm=0.1
|Nov snow cm=8.4
|Dec snow cm=15.9
|year snow cm=71.4
|Jan precipitation days=5.7
|Feb precipitation days=5.2
|Mar precipitation days=6.6
|Apr precipitation days=5.8
|May precipitation days=8.5
|Jun precipitation days=9.4
|Jul precipitation days=8.9
|Aug precipitation days=8.4
|Sep precipitation days=7.3
|Oct precipitation days=5.5
|Nov precipitation days=7.1
|Dec precipitation days=5.9
|year precipitation days=
|Jan humidity=86
|Feb humidity=83
|Mar humidity=77
|Apr humidity=69
|May humidity=70
|Jun humidity=71
|Jul humidity=70
|Aug humidity=71
|Sep humidity=76
|Oct humidity=81
|Nov humidity=87
|Dec humidity=88
|year humidity=77
|Jan dew point C=-4.6
|Feb dew point C=-3.5
|Mar dew point C=-1.1
|Apr dew point C=2.0
|May dew point C=7.0
|Jun dew point C=10.3
|Jul dew point C=11.6
|Aug dew point C=11.5
|Sep dew point C=9.1
|Oct dew point C=5.1
|Nov dew point C=0.6
|Dec dew point C=-2.9
|year dew point C=3.8
|Jan sun=50.0
|Feb sun=72.4
|Mar sun=124.7
|Apr sun=167.6
|May sun=214.0
|Jun sun=218.3
|Jul sun=226.2
|Aug sun=212.3
|Sep sun=161.0
|Oct sun=120.8
|Nov sun=53.9
|Dec sun=46.7
|year sun=1667.9
|Jan uv=1
|Feb uv=1
|Mar uv=3
|Apr uv=4
|May uv=6
|Jun uv=7
|Jul uv=6
|Aug uv=6
|Sep uv=4
|Oct uv=2
|Nov uv=1
|Dec uv=1
|source 1=''World Meteorological Organization'' (temperature and rainfall 1981–2010)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chmi.cz/historicka-data/pocasi/uzemni-teploty# |title=The Climate of Prague 1981–2010 (Temperatures, Humidity) |publisher=Czech Hydrometeorological Institute |access-date=9 May 2016 |language=cs |archive-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118083942/https://www.chmi.cz/historicka-data/pocasi/uzemni-teploty |url-status=live }}</ref> [[NOAA]]<ref name=NOAA >{{cite web |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/CZ/11518.TXT |title=Praha Climate Normals 1961–1990 (Precipitation, Precipitation days, Snow, Sunhours) |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date=28 February 2013}}</ref> and Weather Atlas<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/czech-republic/prague-climate |title=Prague, Czech Republic – Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast |publisher=Yu Media Group |website=Weather Atlas |language=en |access-date=2 July 2019 |archive-date=2 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702211837/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/czech-republic/prague-climate |url-status=live }}</ref>
|date=July 2018
|source=
}}
{{Weather box
|width=auto
|location=Prague (1991−2020 normals)
|single line=Yes
|metric first=Yes
|collapsed=Yes
|Jan high C=2.9
|Feb high C=5.7
|Mar high C=9.9
|Apr high C=16.3
|May high C=20.6
|Jun high C=24.1
|Jul high C=26.0
|Aug high C=26.0
|Sep high C=20.6
|Oct high C=14.9
|Nov high C=8.0
|Dec high C=3.8
|Jan mean C=0.4
|Feb mean C=2.4
|Mar mean C=5.6
|Apr mean C=10.8
|May mean C=15.0
|Jun mean C=18.6
|Jul mean C=20.4
|Aug mean C=20.2
|Sep mean C=15.6
|Oct mean C=10.8
|Nov mean C=5.3
|Dec mean C=1.5
|Jan low C=-2.1
|Feb low C=-1.0
|Mar low C=1.4
|Apr low C=5.3
|May low C=9.5
|Jun low C=13.1
|Jul low C=14.7
|Aug low C=14.4
|Sep low C=10.5
|Oct low C=6.6
|Nov low C=2.6
|Dec low C=-0.8
|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation mm=25.8
|Feb precipitation mm=21.8
|Mar precipitation mm=31.4
|Apr precipitation mm=26.8
|May precipitation mm=65.1
|Jun precipitation mm=79.7
|Jul precipitation mm=75.9
|Aug precipitation mm=77.3
|Sep precipitation mm=44.2
|Oct precipitation mm=35.4
|Nov precipitation mm=30.0
|Dec precipitation mm=29.7
|Jan sun=53.1
|Feb sun=82.9
|Mar sun=128.1
|Apr sun=192.5
|May sun=220.4
|Jun sun=230.0
|Jul sun=240.0
|Aug sun=227.6
|Sep sun=163.5
|Oct sun=109.9
|Nov sun=48.9
|Dec sun=43.3
|source 1=Meteostat<ref>{{cite web |url=https://meteostat.net/en/place/cz/prague |title=Climate of Prague 1991-2020 |publisher=Meteostat |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=17 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417223133/https://meteostat.net/en/place/cz/prague |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Brno ([[Brno–Tuřany Airport]]), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1939-present
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes
|Jan record high C = 16.0
|Feb record high C = 17.6
|Mar record high C = 24.0
|Apr record high C = 29.5
|May record high C = 31.8
|Jun record high C = 36.6
|Jul record high C = 36.4
|Aug record high C = 37.8
|Sep record high C = 32.2
|Oct record high C = 27.7
|Nov record high C = 19.3
|Dec record high C = 19.0
|year record high C = 37.8
|Jan high C = 1.1
|Feb high C = 3.6
|Mar high C = 8.7
|Apr high C = 15.1
|May high C = 20.1
|Jun high C = 23.0
|Jul high C = 25.6
|Aug high C = 25.4
|Sep high C = 20.0
|Oct high C = 13.8
|Nov high C = 6.9
|Dec high C = 2.0
|year high C = 13.8
|Jan mean C = −2.5
|Feb mean C = −0.3
|Mar mean C = 3.8
|Apr mean C = 9.0
|May mean C = 13.9
|Jun mean C = 17.0
|Jul mean C = 18.5
|Aug mean C = 18.1
|Sep mean C = 14.3
|Oct mean C = 9.1
|Nov mean C = 3.5
|Dec mean C = -0.6
|year mean C = 8.7
|Jan low C = -4.3
|Feb low C = -3.3
|Mar low C = 0.2
|Apr low C = 4.5
|May low C = 9.3
|Jun low C = 12.1
|Jul low C = 14.0
|Aug low C = 13.8
|Sep low C = 10.0
|Oct low C = 5.7
|Nov low C = 1.1
|Dec low C = -2.9
|year low C = 5.0
|Jan record low C = −24.1
|Feb record low C = −22.2
|Mar record low C = −18.9
|Apr record low C = −7.0
|May record low C = −2.8
|Jun record low C = 0.0
|Jul record low C = 1.1
|Aug record low C = 2.8
|Sep record low C = −2.2
|Oct record low C = −6.5
|Nov record low C = −13.0
|Dec record low C = −21.0
|year record low C = −24.1
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 23.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 23.4
|Mar precipitation mm = 29.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 28.9
|May precipitation mm = 61.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 72.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 69.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 55.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 47.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 31.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 34.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 31.9
|year precipitation mm = 508.1

|Jan snow cm = 17.4
|Feb snow cm = 12.4
|Mar snow cm = 5.2
|Apr snow cm = 0.6
|May snow cm = 0.0
|Jun snow cm = 0.0
|Jul snow cm = 0.0
|Aug snow cm = 0.0
|Sep snow cm = 0.0
|Oct snow cm = 0.0
|Nov snow cm = 4.5
|Dec snow cm = 12.5
|year snow cm = 52.6
|Jan precipitation days = 5.8
|Feb precipitation days = 5.3
|Mar precipitation days = 6.4
|Apr precipitation days = 5.7
|May precipitation days = 8.1
|Jun precipitation days = 8.6
|Jul precipitation days = 9.1
|Aug precipitation days = 7.4
|Sep precipitation days = 6.5
|Oct precipitation days = 6.3
|Nov precipitation days = 7.1
|Dec precipitation days = 7.5
|year precipitation days = 83.8
|Jan humidity = 84
|Feb humidity = 81
|Mar humidity = 73
|Apr humidity = 65
|May humidity = 67
|Jun humidity = 69
|Jul humidity = 67
|Aug humidity = 68
|Sep humidity = 73
|Oct humidity = 78
|Nov humidity = 84
|Dec humidity = 85
|year humidity = 75
|Jan sun = 53.8
|Feb sun = 82.9
|Mar sun = 137.5
|Apr sun = 208.7
|May sun = 226.4
|Jun sun = 246.9
|Jul sun = 245.7
|Aug sun = 246.3
|Sep sun = 175.5
|Oct sun = 112.5
|Nov sun = 59.3
|Dec sun = 44.5
|year sun = 1840.0
| Jan uv =1
| Feb uv =1
| Mar uv =3
| Apr uv =4
| May uv =6
| Jun uv =7
| Jul uv =7
| Aug uv =6
| Sep uv =4
| Oct uv =2
| Nov uv =1
| Dec uv =1
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]] ([[United Nations|UN]])<ref name= WMOBrno >{{cite web
| url = http://www.worldweather.org/172/c00693.htm
| title = World Weather Information Service – Brno
| access-date = 28 February 2013
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| date = May 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171756/http://www.worldweather.org/172/c00693.htm
| archive-date = 3 March 2016
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= NOAABrno >{{cite web
| url = ftp://dossier.ogp.noaa.gov/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-VI/CZ/11723.TXT
| title = Brno Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = 28 February 2013}}</ref>
|date=January 2011
}}

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Ostrava (1981−2010 normals, extremes 1980−present)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes
|Jan record high C = 14.2
|Feb record high C = 17.3
|Mar record high C = 22.8
|Apr record high C = 29.0
|May record high C = 31.9
|Jun record high C = 35.2
|Jul record high C = 36.7
|Aug record high C = 36.9
|Sep record high C = 33.7
|Oct record high C = 26.2
|Nov record high C = 22.5
|Dec record high C = 16.7
|Jan record low C = -29.3
|Feb record low C = -24.7
|Mar record low C = -21.9
|Apr record low C = -7.8
|May record low C = -3.0
|Jun record low C = 1.2
|Jul record low C = 4.2
|Aug record low C = 3.8
|Sep record low C = -0.6
|Oct record low C = -7.6
|Nov record low C = -18.7
|Dec record low C = -25.8
|Jan high C = 0.4
|Feb high C = 2.8
|Mar high C = 7.7
|Apr high C = 13.5
|May high C = 18.9
|Jun high C = 21.9
|Jul high C = 23.6
|Aug high C = 23.4
|Sep high C = 19.4
|Oct high C = 14.0
|Nov high C = 6.7
|Dec high C = 2.0
|Jan low C = -5.6
|Feb low C = -4.1
|Mar low C = -0.8
|Apr low C = 3.0
|May low C = 7.3
|Jun low C = 10.6
|Jul low C = 11.9
|Aug low C = 11.6
|Sep low C = 8.7
|Oct low C = 4.7
|Nov low C = 0.9
|Dec low C = -3.2
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 26.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 30.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 34.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 52.4
|May precipitation mm = 91.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 104.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 91.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 91.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 58.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 42.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 44.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 34.3
|Jan precipitation days = 7
|Feb precipitation days = 7
|Mar precipitation days = 7
|Apr precipitation days = 8
|May precipitation days = 11
|Jun precipitation days = 11
|Jul precipitation days = 11
|Aug precipitation days = 10
|Sep precipitation days = 8
|Oct precipitation days = 7
|Nov precipitation days = 9
|Dec precipitation days = 8
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organisation]] (UN)<ref name= WMOOstrava >{{cite web | url=http://www.worldweather.org/172/c00920.htm| title=World Weather Information Service – Ostrava| access-date=21 January 2011| publisher=United Nations}}</ref>
|source 2 = infoclimat.fr<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/normales-records/1991-2020/ostrava-mosnov/valeurs/11782.html
|title=Normales et records pour la période 1991–2020 à Ostrava
| publisher = infoclimat.fr
| access-date = March 15, 2022}}</ref>
|date=January 2011
}}

===Geology===
{{main|Geology of the Czech Republic}}

Most of the area of the Czech Republic belongs to the geographically stable [[Bohemian Massif]]. Only an area of the [[Western Carpathians]] in the east of the country is younger, lifted during the [[Tertiary]]. Igneous rocks make up the base of the Bohemian Massif. Sedimentary rocks are mostly found in the north-eastern part of [[Bohemia]] with significant areas of sandstone. Among the metamorphic rocks, the most commonly found is [[Gneiss]].

===Mountains===
{{main|List of highest mountains of the Czech Republic}}
The most notable mountain ranges in the Czech Republic are all found along the borders of the country. In [[Bohemia]] it is the [[Bohemian Forest]] and [[Ore Mountains]], both bordering Germany. Then the long region of [[Sudetes]] with several mountains ranges, including [[Giant Mountains]] with [[Sněžka]] – the highest peak of the Czech Republic. The last major mountain range is the [[Moravian-Silesian Beskids]] in the east.

===Rivers===
[[File:Povodí Labe Vltavy Moravy.PNG|thumb|Drainage areas of the Elbe and the Morava rivers]]
{{main|Rivers of the Czech Republic}}

There are four major rivers in the Czech Republic. The [[Elbe]] (locally "Labe") flows from the [[Giant Mountains]] in the north east of Bohemia to the west and then through northern Germany all the way to the [[North Sea]]. The [[Morava (river)|Morava River]] drains most of Moravia and flows to the south into the [[Danube]] and ultimately to the [[Black Sea]]. The [[Oder]] starts in the [[Moravian Silesia]] and flows north through Poland into the [[Baltic Sea]]. The fourth major river is the [[Vltava]], which is the longest river of the Czech Republic and drains the southern part of Bohemia before flowing into the Elbe at [[Mělník]].

===Bodies of water===
{{main|List of ponds of the Czech Republic}}
Natural occurring bodies of water are rather scarce; most of the significant bodies of water are man-made ponds and reservoirs. The largest pond is the [[Rožmberk Pond]], which is one of the system of fish ponds built in the 16th century around [[Třeboň]]. The largest reservoir by area covered is the [[Lipno Reservoir]] (4,870 ha), built in the 1950s and the largest reservoir by volume is [[Orlík Reservoir]] (716 million m<sup>3</sup>), built around the same time. The largest and deepest natural lake is [[Černé jezero]] (18.4 ha).

==Human geography==
{{see also|List of cities and towns in the Czech Republic}}

===Population geography===
[[File:Population_density_in_the_Czech_Republic.png|thumb|Population density in the Czech Republic]]
[[File:Natural resources of the Czech Republic.png|thumb|300px|Natural resources:
Metals are in blue: Fe — iron ore, PY — [[pyrite]], PM – polymetal ores (Cu, Zn, Pb, etc.), U — [[uranium]].
Fossil fuels are in red: C — coal, L — [[lignite]], O – oil.
Non-metallic minerals are in green: G — [[graphite]], KA — [[kaolinite]]. ]]
{{main|Demographics of the Czech Republic}}

The population of the Czech Republic is estimated to be around 10.6 million. The highest population density is in the larger metropolitan area of [[Ostrava]] and of course in the area around the capital of [[Prague]]. The lowest population density is in the Czech-German and Czech-Austrian borderlands, mostly as a lasting result of the [[expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia]] after the [[World War II]].

===Political geography===
{{main|Regions of the Czech Republic}}

The Czech Republic is divided into thirteen [[Regions of the Czech Republic|regions]] and one capital city with regional status. The older administrative units of seventy-six [[Districts of the Czech Republic|districts]] are still recognized and remain the seats of various branches of state administration. Historically, the Czech Republic can be split into three regions: [[Bohemia]] in the west, [[Moravia]] in the east and [[Czech Silesia]] in the north east.

===Industry and agriculture===
Areas affected the most by heavy industry are the [[Sokolov Basin]] and the [[Most Basin]] in the north-west of the Czech Republic. The extensive deposits of brown coal in those areas are mostly used for electricity production. It is estimated, that almost 40% of all electric power produced in the Czech Republic comes from burning brown coal mined in these areas. Plant agriculture is focused around the [[Polabí|lowlands surrounding the Elbe]] and the Morava. Around 34% of the country is covered by forests and approximately 37% of land is arable. The estimated area of irrigated land is 385&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, and freshwater withdrawal per capita is around 164 m<sup>3</sup> every year.

== See also ==
* [[Protected areas of the Czech Republic]]
* [[Rivers of the Czech Republic]]
* [[List of highest mountains of the Czech Republic]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{CIA World Factbook}}

{{Czech Republic topics}}
{{Geography of Europe}}
<!--
{{Geography of Europe}}
{{Europe topic|Climate of}}
-->

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geography Of The Czech Republic}}
[[Category:Geography of the Czech Republic| ]]

[[pt:República Checa#Geografia]]

Latest revision as of 03:38, 7 April 2024

Geography of Czech Republic
ContinentEurope
RegionCentral Europe
AreaRanked 115th
 • Total78,871 km2 (30,452 sq mi)
 • Land97.88%
 • Water2.12%
Coastline0 km (0 mi)
Borders2290.7 km[1]
Highest pointSněžka,
1603.3 m
Lowest pointHřensko,
115 m
Longest riverVltava,
433 km
Largest lakeČerné,
18.4 ha
Climatetemperate
Terrainhills and lowlands surrounded by low mountains
Natural resourceskaolin, lithium, graphite, black coal, brown coal, uranium, timber

The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Germany to the west, Austria to the south, Slovakia to the east and Poland to the north. It consists mostly of low hills and plateaus surrounded along the borders by low mountains. Two areas of lowlands follow the Elbe river and the Morava river. About a third of the area of the Czech Republic is covered by forests.

The Czech Republic also possesses Moldauhafen, a 30,000 m2 enclave in the middle of Hamburg docks in Germany, which was awarded to Czechoslovakia by Article 363 of the Treaty of Versailles to allow the landlocked country a place where goods transported down river could be transferred to seagoing ships. This territory reverts to Germany in 2028.

Physical geography[edit]

See also: Geomorphological division of the Czech Republic

Climate[edit]

Köppen climate classification of the Czech Republic
Main article: Climate of the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic's climate is temperate, transitional between an oceanic climate and a continental climate. The summers are rather cool and dry, with average temperatures in most areas around 20 °C, the winters are fairly mild and wet with temperatures averaging around 0 °C in most areas. The relative humidity varies between 60% and 80%.

Examples[edit]

Climate data for Prague (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1775–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 17.4
(63.3) 		19.2
(66.6) 		22.5
(72.5) 		28.8
(83.8) 		32.5
(90.5) 		37.9
(100.2) 		37.8
(100.0) 		37.4
(99.3) 		33.1
(91.6) 		27.0
(80.6) 		19.5
(67.1) 		17.4
(63.3) 		37.9
(100.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 2.6
(36.7) 		4.4
(39.9) 		9.1
(48.4) 		15.1
(59.2) 		20.3
(68.5) 		22.8
(73.0) 		25.3
(77.5) 		25.1
(77.2) 		19.9
(67.8) 		14.2
(57.6) 		7.2
(45.0) 		3.4
(38.1) 		14.1
(57.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 0.1
(32.2) 		1.3
(34.3) 		5.3
(41.5) 		10.1
(50.2) 		15.0
(59.0) 		17.8
(64.0) 		19.9
(67.8) 		19.6
(67.3) 		15.2
(59.4) 		10.3
(50.5) 		4.6
(40.3) 		1.1
(34.0) 		10.0
(50.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −2.4
(27.7) 		−1.8
(28.8) 		1.5
(34.7) 		5.1
(41.2) 		9.7
(49.5) 		12.7
(54.9) 		14.5
(58.1) 		14.2
(57.6) 		10.5
(50.9) 		6.4
(43.5) 		2.1
(35.8) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		6.0
(42.7)
Record low °C (°F) −27.5
(−17.5) 		−27.1
(−16.8) 		−27.6
(−17.7) 		−8
(18) 		−2.3
(27.9) 		1.9
(35.4) 		6.7
(44.1) 		6.4
(43.5) 		0.7
(33.3) 		−7.5
(18.5) 		−16.9
(1.6) 		−24.8
(−12.6) 		−27.6
(−17.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 34
(1.3) 		30
(1.2) 		40
(1.6) 		34
(1.3) 		63
(2.5) 		70
(2.8) 		82
(3.2) 		75
(3.0) 		47
(1.9) 		34
(1.3) 		40
(1.6) 		38
(1.5) 		587
(23.1)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 17.9
(7.0) 		15.9
(6.3) 		10.3
(4.1) 		2.9
(1.1) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.1
(0.0) 		8.4
(3.3) 		15.9
(6.3) 		71.4
(28.1)
Average precipitation days 5.7 5.2 6.6 5.8 8.5 9.4 8.9 8.4 7.3 5.5 7.1 5.9 84.3
Average relative humidity (%) 86 83 77 69 70 71 70 71 76 81 87 88 77
Average dew point °C (°F) −4.6
(23.7) 		−3.5
(25.7) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		2.0
(35.6) 		7.0
(44.6) 		10.3
(50.5) 		11.6
(52.9) 		11.5
(52.7) 		9.1
(48.4) 		5.1
(41.2) 		0.6
(33.1) 		−2.9
(26.8) 		3.8
(38.8)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 50.0 72.4 124.7 167.6 214.0 218.3 226.2 212.3 161.0 120.8 53.9 46.7 1,667.9
Average ultraviolet index 1 1 3 4 6 7 6 6 4 2 1 1 4
Source: World Meteorological Organization (temperature and rainfall 1981–2010)[2] NOAA[3] and Weather Atlas[4]
Climate data for Prague (1991−2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 2.9
(37.2) 		5.7
(42.3) 		9.9
(49.8) 		16.3
(61.3) 		20.6
(69.1) 		24.1
(75.4) 		26.0
(78.8) 		26.0
(78.8) 		20.6
(69.1) 		14.9
(58.8) 		8.0
(46.4) 		3.8
(38.8) 		14.9
(58.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) 0.4
(32.7) 		2.4
(36.3) 		5.6
(42.1) 		10.8
(51.4) 		15.0
(59.0) 		18.6
(65.5) 		20.4
(68.7) 		20.2
(68.4) 		15.6
(60.1) 		10.8
(51.4) 		5.3
(41.5) 		1.5
(34.7) 		10.5
(51.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −2.1
(28.2) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		1.4
(34.5) 		5.3
(41.5) 		9.5
(49.1) 		13.1
(55.6) 		14.7
(58.5) 		14.4
(57.9) 		10.5
(50.9) 		6.6
(43.9) 		2.6
(36.7) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		6.2
(43.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 25.8
(1.02) 		21.8
(0.86) 		31.4
(1.24) 		26.8
(1.06) 		65.1
(2.56) 		79.7
(3.14) 		75.9
(2.99) 		77.3
(3.04) 		44.2
(1.74) 		35.4
(1.39) 		30.0
(1.18) 		29.7
(1.17) 		543.1
(21.39)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 53.1 82.9 128.1 192.5 220.4 230.0 240.0 227.6 163.5 109.9 48.9 43.3 1,740.2
Source: Meteostat[5]
Climate data for Brno (Brno–Tuřany Airport), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1939-present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.0
(60.8) 		17.6
(63.7) 		24.0
(75.2) 		29.5
(85.1) 		31.8
(89.2) 		36.6
(97.9) 		36.4
(97.5) 		37.8
(100.0) 		32.2
(90.0) 		27.7
(81.9) 		19.3
(66.7) 		19.0
(66.2) 		37.8
(100.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 1.1
(34.0) 		3.6
(38.5) 		8.7
(47.7) 		15.1
(59.2) 		20.1
(68.2) 		23.0
(73.4) 		25.6
(78.1) 		25.4
(77.7) 		20.0
(68.0) 		13.8
(56.8) 		6.9
(44.4) 		2.0
(35.6) 		13.8
(56.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.5
(27.5) 		−0.3
(31.5) 		3.8
(38.8) 		9.0
(48.2) 		13.9
(57.0) 		17.0
(62.6) 		18.5
(65.3) 		18.1
(64.6) 		14.3
(57.7) 		9.1
(48.4) 		3.5
(38.3) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		8.7
(47.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −4.3
(24.3) 		−3.3
(26.1) 		0.2
(32.4) 		4.5
(40.1) 		9.3
(48.7) 		12.1
(53.8) 		14.0
(57.2) 		13.8
(56.8) 		10.0
(50.0) 		5.7
(42.3) 		1.1
(34.0) 		−2.9
(26.8) 		5.0
(41.0)
Record low °C (°F) −24.1
(−11.4) 		−22.2
(−8.0) 		−18.9
(−2.0) 		−7
(19) 		−2.8
(27.0) 		0.0
(32.0) 		1.1
(34.0) 		2.8
(37.0) 		−2.2
(28.0) 		−6.5
(20.3) 		−13
(9) 		−21
(−6) 		−24.1
(−11.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 23.1
(0.91) 		23.4
(0.92) 		29.7
(1.17) 		28.9
(1.14) 		61.2
(2.41) 		72.2
(2.84) 		69.0
(2.72) 		55.7
(2.19) 		47.9
(1.89) 		31.1
(1.22) 		34.0
(1.34) 		31.9
(1.26) 		508.1
(20.00)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 17.4
(6.9) 		12.4
(4.9) 		5.2
(2.0) 		0.6
(0.2) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		4.5
(1.8) 		12.5
(4.9) 		52.6
(20.7)
Average precipitation days 5.8 5.3 6.4 5.7 8.1 8.6 9.1 7.4 6.5 6.3 7.1 7.5 83.8
Average relative humidity (%) 84 81 73 65 67 69 67 68 73 78 84 85 75
Mean monthly sunshine hours 53.8 82.9 137.5 208.7 226.4 246.9 245.7 246.3 175.5 112.5 59.3 44.5 1,840
Average ultraviolet index 1 1 3 4 6 7 7 6 4 2 1 1 4
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization (UN)[6]
Source 2: NOAA[7]
Climate data for Ostrava (1981−2010 normals, extremes 1980−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.2
(57.6) 		17.3
(63.1) 		22.8
(73.0) 		29.0
(84.2) 		31.9
(89.4) 		35.2
(95.4) 		36.7
(98.1) 		36.9
(98.4) 		33.7
(92.7) 		26.2
(79.2) 		22.5
(72.5) 		16.7
(62.1) 		36.9
(98.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 0.4
(32.7) 		2.8
(37.0) 		7.7
(45.9) 		13.5
(56.3) 		18.9
(66.0) 		21.9
(71.4) 		23.6
(74.5) 		23.4
(74.1) 		19.4
(66.9) 		14.0
(57.2) 		6.7
(44.1) 		2.0
(35.6) 		12.9
(55.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −5.6
(21.9) 		−4.1
(24.6) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		3.0
(37.4) 		7.3
(45.1) 		10.6
(51.1) 		11.9
(53.4) 		11.6
(52.9) 		8.7
(47.7) 		4.7
(40.5) 		0.9
(33.6) 		−3.2
(26.2) 		3.7
(38.7)
Record low °C (°F) −29.3
(−20.7) 		−24.7
(−12.5) 		−21.9
(−7.4) 		−7.8
(18.0) 		−3.0
(26.6) 		1.2
(34.2) 		4.2
(39.6) 		3.8
(38.8) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		−7.6
(18.3) 		−18.7
(−1.7) 		−25.8
(−14.4) 		−29.3
(−20.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 26.7
(1.05) 		30.2
(1.19) 		34.0
(1.34) 		52.4
(2.06) 		91.2
(3.59) 		104.4
(4.11) 		91.1
(3.59) 		91.8
(3.61) 		58.8
(2.31) 		42.3
(1.67) 		44.6
(1.76) 		34.3
(1.35) 		701.8
(27.63)
Average precipitation days 7 7 7 8 11 11 11 10 8 7 9 8 104
Source 1: World Meteorological Organisation (UN)[8]
Source 2: infoclimat.fr[9]

Geology[edit]

Main article: Geology of the Czech Republic

Most of the area of the Czech Republic belongs to the geographically stable Bohemian Massif. Only an area of the Western Carpathians in the east of the country is younger, lifted during the Tertiary. Igneous rocks make up the base of the Bohemian Massif. Sedimentary rocks are mostly found in the north-eastern part of Bohemia with significant areas of sandstone. Among the metamorphic rocks, the most commonly found is Gneiss.

Mountains[edit]

Main article: List of highest mountains of the Czech Republic

The most notable mountain ranges in the Czech Republic are all found along the borders of the country. In Bohemia it is the Bohemian Forest and Ore Mountains, both bordering Germany. Then the long region of Sudetes with several mountains ranges, including Giant Mountains with Sněžka – the highest peak of the Czech Republic. The last major mountain range is the Moravian-Silesian Beskids in the east.

Rivers[edit]

Drainage areas of the Elbe and the Morava rivers
Main article: Rivers of the Czech Republic

There are four major rivers in the Czech Republic. The Elbe (locally "Labe") flows from the Giant Mountains in the north east of Bohemia to the west and then through northern Germany all the way to the North Sea. The Morava River drains most of Moravia and flows to the south into the Danube and ultimately to the Black Sea. The Oder starts in the Moravian Silesia and flows north through Poland into the Baltic Sea. The fourth major river is the Vltava, which is the longest river of the Czech Republic and drains the southern part of Bohemia before flowing into the Elbe at Mělník.

Bodies of water[edit]

Main article: List of ponds of the Czech Republic

Natural occurring bodies of water are rather scarce; most of the significant bodies of water are man-made ponds and reservoirs. The largest pond is the Rožmberk Pond, which is one of the system of fish ponds built in the 16th century around Třeboň. The largest reservoir by area covered is the Lipno Reservoir (4,870 ha), built in the 1950s and the largest reservoir by volume is Orlík Reservoir (716 million m3), built around the same time. The largest and deepest natural lake is Černé jezero (18.4 ha).

Human geography[edit]

See also: List of cities and towns in the Czech Republic

Population geography[edit]

Population density in the Czech Republic
Natural resources: Metals are in blue: Fe — iron ore, PY — pyrite, PM – polymetal ores (Cu, Zn, Pb, etc.), U — uranium. Fossil fuels are in red: C — coal, L — lignite, O – oil. Non-metallic minerals are in green: G — graphite, KA — kaolinite.
Main article: Demographics of the Czech Republic

The population of the Czech Republic is estimated to be around 10.6 million. The highest population density is in the larger metropolitan area of Ostrava and of course in the area around the capital of Prague. The lowest population density is in the Czech-German and Czech-Austrian borderlands, mostly as a lasting result of the expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia after the World War II.

Political geography[edit]

Main article: Regions of the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is divided into thirteen regions and one capital city with regional status. The older administrative units of seventy-six districts are still recognized and remain the seats of various branches of state administration. Historically, the Czech Republic can be split into three regions: Bohemia in the west, Moravia in the east and Czech Silesia in the north east.

Industry and agriculture[edit]

Areas affected the most by heavy industry are the Sokolov Basin and the Most Basin in the north-west of the Czech Republic. The extensive deposits of brown coal in those areas are mostly used for electricity production. It is estimated, that almost 40% of all electric power produced in the Czech Republic comes from burning brown coal mined in these areas. Plant agriculture is focused around the lowlands surrounding the Elbe and the Morava. Around 34% of the country is covered by forests and approximately 37% of land is arable. The estimated area of irrigated land is 385 km2, and freshwater withdrawal per capita is around 164 m3 every year.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Základní informace o ČR" (in Czech). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  2. ^ "The Climate of Prague 1981–2010 (Temperatures, Humidity)" (in Czech). Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Praha Climate Normals 1961–1990 (Precipitation, Precipitation days, Snow, Sunhours)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Prague, Czech Republic – Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast". Weather Atlas. Yu Media Group. Archived from the original on 2 July 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Climate of Prague 1991-2020". Meteostat. Archived from the original on 17 April 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  6. ^ "World Weather Information Service – Brno". World Meteorological Organization. May 2011. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Brno Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  8. ^ "World Weather Information Service – Ostrava". United Nations. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  9. ^ "Normales et records pour la période 1991–2020 à Ostrava". infoclimat.fr. Retrieved 15 March 2022.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Geography_of_the_Czech_Republic&oldid=1217658703"