JIHOCESK

also called Jizn Cechy, English Southern Bohemia kraj (region), southern Czech Republic. It is bordered on the north by Stredocesk and Vchodocesky kraje, on the east by Jihomoravsk kraj, on the south by Austria, on the southwest by Germany, and on the west by Zpadocesk kraj. The umava Mountains dominate the southern part of the region, while the remainder consists of the Stredocesk Pahorkatina, a broad, hilly plateau cut by the valleys of the northward-flowing Vltava (Moldau) River and its tributaries. Agriculture and forestry each account for slightly more than one-third of land use. The main crops raised are corn (maize) for animal fodder, hay, potatoes, flax, oats, barley, wheat, clover, and rye; apples, plums, cherries, pears, and walnuts are also grown. Pigs, cattle, and poultry are the primary livestock reared. Dairying accounts for about two-fifths of the cattle and is concentrated around Cesk Budejovice, the capital, as well as around Strakonice, Protivn, and Cesk Krumlov. About four percent of Jihocesk kraj's area is water, and fish-farming is an important industry. Most of the lakes, some natural, some man-made, are found in the southern highlands along the Luznice and Vltava rivers. The fishing industry is centred at Trebon on the Luznice River and dates back to the Middle Ages. The Rozmberk fishpond (built 158490 and covering 1,790 acres [724 hectares]) is known for carp and is still impounded behind its original oaken dam, which measures 8,530 feet (2,600 m) long, 262 feet (80 m) wide, and 39 feet (12 m) high. Modern dams with their reservoirs have enlarged the industry; the Lipno Dam on the Vltava, in the umava Mountains, impounds a 12,350-acre (5,000-hectare) reservoir, provides hydroelectric energy, and helps regulate water levels on the Vltava for navigation and in the fishponds as well. The reservoir of the Orlk Dam in Stredocesk kraj covers 80,640 acres (32,635 hectares), mostly in Jihocesk kraj. There are additional dams on the Blanice River at Husinec and on the Male River at Rmov. Forests consist mainly of fir, spruce, pine, oak, beech, and some maple and ash; they occur mainly in the southern mountain and lake district and in the valleys of the Vltava and the Luznice rivers. The main lumbering and paper-milling centres are: Cesk Budejovice, Vetrn, Loucovice, Pzek, Tbor, Sobeslav, Pelhrimov, Liov, and Suchdol nad Luznic. The kraj's relatively few mineral resources include graphite, mined at Vyn-Lazec, Domoradice, Kolodeje, and Blizn; peat, extracted at Lenora, Trebon, Prbraz, and along the Luznice River; limestone, quarried at Cesk Krumlov and Chnov; asbestos at Borovany; feldspar at Pisek and Halamky; and brick and fire-retardant clays, extracted along the riverbanks. Cesk Budejovice is the kraj's chief industrial centre; it has steelworks and electronics, transport-equipment, furniture, pencil, and food-processing plants, as well as several breweries. After Plzen it is the Czech Republic's second-best-known beer centre; Cesk Budejovice is where Budvar-style beer (German: Budweiser) originated. In the industrial area of Tbor-Sezimovo st-Plan and Luznic are chemical, metalworking, transport-vehicle, electronics, paper, clothing, and food-processing plants. Other larger centres are Psek, which manufactures machinery, textiles, and musical instruments; Strakonice, producing motorcyles, machinery, and clothing; and Vimperk, with glassworks, lumber, and textile plants. Tourism is concentrated on water sports, particularly on the reservoir lakes behind the Lipno and Orlk dams, and the Svet fishpond; on boat tours along the Vltava and Luznice rivers; and on tours of numerous towns and memorials of the Hussite religious reform movement, which arose in this region. Husinec, 4 miles (6 km) north of Prachatice, is Jan Hus's birthplace (July 6, 1369), and parts of his house serve as a memorial museum. Tbor, the seat of the Hussite movement (1420), is the site of the Museum of the Hussite Revolutionary Movement; another museum in Kotnov Castle is devoted to Tbor's history. Trocnov, 19 miles (31 km) southeast of Cesk Budejovice, is the birthplace of Jan Zizka, the charismatic military leader of the Hussite army. Chelcice is the birthplace of Petr Chelcick, the founder of the Bohemian Brotherhood in the 15th century; nearby Vodnany is the site of the School of Fishery. Cesk Budejovice is the region's cultural centre. It contains the Museum of South Bohemia, the State Scientific Library, and a teacher-training college; it is also a city under National Trust, with many buildings of the Hussite period. Hlubok nad Vltavou, 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Cesk Budejovice, is the site of the Ale South Bohemian Gallery, exhibiting Gothic and Baroque art. Bechyne is the location of the School of Ceramics and is noted for its spa with mud baths. Psek also is a health resort and contains a local municipal museum. The districts south and west of Cesk Budejovice contain between 2 and 3 percent Slovak population and a small minority of Germans. Area 4,380 square miles (11,345 square km). Pop. (1991 prelim.) 697,334.