VYCHODOCESKY

kraj (region), north-central Czech Republic. It is bordered by Stredocesk and Severocesk kraje to the west, Poland to the north, Severomoravsk kraj to the east, and Jihomoravsk and Jihocesk kraje to the south. The Krkonoe ("Giant") Mountains range across the north; in them rises the Labe (Elbe) River, which flows first south, then west, and which, with its tributaries, forms the central plains of Vchodocesk kraj. The plains slope gently upward to the Ceskomoravsk Vrchovina in the south and the Svitavsk Pahorkatina and Orlick (Orlice) Mountains to the east. The principal crops grown in the kraj's plains include corn (maize) for animal feed, sugar beets, wheat, barley, potatoes, oats, rye, flax, and vegetables. Apples, plums, cherries, and pears are grown in the western parts of the region. Livestock includes hogs, cattle, and poultry. Dairying accounts for about one-third of the region's cattle. Forests of spruce, oak, fir, and pine occupy about one-third of Vchodocesk kraj, and several lumbering and paper-milling operations are located in the region. A large bituminous coalfield is mined in the Broumovsk Highlands. Nickel, lead, and zinc are mined in the southwest, and manganese and fluorite are mined and building stones are quarried at other locations in the kraj. Hradec Krlov, Vchodocesk kraj's capital, and Pardubice are the main industrial cities; both have metalworking, electronics, chemical, synthetic rubber, woodworking, textile, and food-processing plants. Hradec Krlov also has glassworks, and Pardubice has an oil refinery and petrochemicals plant. Other industrial centres are the Labe River valley north of Hradec Krlov and the Orlice Valley, where nearly every town has textile and clothing plants. Heavy machinery, transport equipment, electronics, synthetic rubber, appliances, cement, and glass are variously produced at the cities of Chrudim, Vamberk, Prachovice, Lankroun, and Jicn in the kraj. The Krkonoe Mountains are one of the Czech Republic's most visited regions for winter sports, hiking, fishing, and camping. The tourist centre for the area is pindleruv Mln, which has hotels and summer and winter sports facilities. The noted Jansk Lzne thermal mineral spa and Pec pod Snezkou spa are located in this area. Other regions attracting tourists are the Vale of Ratibor, a natural reserve in the pa River valley; the Teplice and Adrpach Rocks, a series of sandstone labyrinthine formations; and the Orlick Mountains, northeast of Hradec Krlov, which feature virgin pine forest and camping and hiking facilities. Hradec Krlov, the history of which dates to the 10th century AD, was a residence for the queens of Bohemia and in the 14th century rivaled Prague in importance; it is the cultural centre of the kraj. Other towns of cultural importance are Pardubice, Vamberk, Horice, and Harrachov. Area 4,340 square miles (11,240 square km). Pop. (1991 prelim.) 1,232,646.