Editing South Bohemian Region

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Short description|Region of the Czech Republic}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name               = South Bohemian Region
| native_name        = Jihočeský kraj
| native_name_lang   = <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| settlement_type    = [[Regions of the Czech Republic|Region]]
| image_skyline      = Jindrichuv hradec 2.jpg
| image_caption      = Jindřichův Hradec castle
| image_flag         = Flag of South Bohemian Region.svg
| flag_size          = 
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of South Bohemian Region.png
| shield_size        = 
| image_map          = Jihoceský kraj in Czech Republic.svg
| mapsize            = 
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = 
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = [[Czech Republic]]
| seat_type          = Capital
| seat               = [[České Budějovice]]
| parts_type         = Districts
| parts_style        = para
| p1                 = [[Český Krumlov District]]
| p2                 = [[Jindřichův Hradec District]]
| p3                 = [[Písek District]]
| p4                 = [[Prachatice District]]
| p5                 = [[Strakonice District]]
| p6                 = [[Tábor District]]
| leader_title       = Governor
| leader_name        = [[Martin Kuba]] ([[Civic Democratic Party (Czech Republic)|ODS]])
| area_footnotes     = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_total_km2     = 10056.79
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_max_m    = 1378
| elevation_min_m    = 
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |title=Population of cohesion regions, regions and districts of the Czech Republic, 1 January 2024|url=https://www.czso.cz/documents/10180/218418152/1300722401.pdf/61fe01a6-d309-4e44-be63-b30c279fd184?version=1.0|publisher=Czech Statistical Office|access-date=2024-05-17}}</ref>
| population_total   = 654505
| population_as_of   = 2024-01-01
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>https://www.czso.cz/csu/xb/regionalni_hdp

Language - Czech, Access date - 01/30/2021</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = CZK 291.708 billion<br/>(€11.377 billion)
| iso_code           = CZ-31
| registration_plate = C
| website            = [http://www.kraj-jihocesky.cz/ www.kraj-jihocesky.cz]
}}

The '''South Bohemian Region''' ({{langx|cs|Jihočeský kraj}}) is an administrative unit (''[[Regions of the Czech Republic|kraj]]'') of the [[Czech Republic]], located mostly in the southern part of its historical land of [[Bohemia]], with a small part in southwestern [[Moravia]]. The western part of the South Bohemian Region is former [[Prácheňsko]], a huge archaic region with distinctive features with its capital, [[Písek]]. In 2011, there were 624 municipalities in the region, whereof 54 had a status of a town.

The region borders (from the west clockwise) the regions of [[Plzeň Region|Plzeň]], [[Central Bohemian Region|Central Bohemian]], [[Vysočina Region|Vysočina]] and [[South Moravian Region|South Moravian]]. To the south, it borders [[Austria]] ([[Lower Austria]] and [[Upper Austria]]) and [[Germany]] ([[Bavaria]]). Until 30 May 2001, the region was named as {{lang|cs|Budějovický kraj}} or {{lang|cs|Českobudějovický kraj}}, after its capital, [[České Budějovice]].

Due to its geographical location and natural surroundings the region belongs to the first settlements that appeared in the distant past. Over the past centuries, the South Bohemian region has been known for fishpond cultivation and forestry. The region has been industrialized since the beginning of the twentieth century. Nowadays, it is a tourist destination due to its natural and historical richness, and the fastest growing industry has been the travel industry.<ref>Characteristics of the South Bohemian Region; Available at: http://www.kraj-jihocesky.cz/foreign/eng/region.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402171722/http://www.kraj-jihocesky.cz/foreign/eng/region.php |date=2 April 2015 }}</ref>

== History ==
On 1 May 1939 the [[Reichsgau Oberdonau]] was created by the [[Nazis]] in accordance with the [[Ostmark (Austria)|Ostmark]] law of 14 April 1939 on the territory of [[Upper Austria]] following the [[Anschluss]] (annexation of Austria) in autumn 1938. This encompassed those districts of South Bohemia ([[Bezirk Kaplitz|Kaplitz]] und [[Okres Český Krumlov|Krumau]]) that had long been settled by Germans.<ref>Michael Rademacher: Reichsgau Oberdonau. Online-Material zur Dissertation, Osnabrück 2006. In: treemagic.org.</ref> This was reversed after the [[Second World War]] and the German-speaking population that had lived in the area since the Middle Ages<ref>Rainer Rudolf: ''Studien zur frühneuhochdeutschen Schriftsprache in Südböhmen.'' Vienna 1973 (= ''Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften: Studien zur österreichisch-bairischen Dialektkunde'', 8).</ref> was [[Expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia|expelled]]. Until 2001 the region of South Bohemia was called "Budějovický kraj".

==Administrative divisions==
The South Bohemian Region was established with constitutional Act No. 347/97<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usoud.cz/fileadmin/user_upload/ustavni_soud_www/Pravni_uprava/AJ/347_1997_EN.pdf|title=347/1997 Sb. Constitutional Act|access-date=2023-12-16}}</ref> 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, 1 January 2001.<ref>[http://www.kraj-jihocesky.cz/foreign/eng/index.php/ Welcome to South Bohemian Region's websites] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814172030/http://www.kraj-jihocesky.cz/foreign/eng/index.php |date=14 August 2016 }} (English)</ref>
The region is divided into 7 districts:
{{overlay
| image        = South_Bohemia_districts.png
| height       = 350
| float        = left
| legend1title = '''Districts of South Bohemian Region'''
| legend1start = 1
| legend1end   = 9
| overlay1form = color
| overlay1     = [[České Budějovice District|České Budějovice]]
| overlay1colour = #FFA0A0
| overlay2form = color
| overlay2     = [[Český Krumlov District|Český Krumlov]]
| overlay2colour = #FFFF90
| overlay3form = color
| overlay3     = [[Jindřichův Hradec District|Jindřichův Hradec]]
| overlay3colour = #FF9570
| overlay4form = color
| overlay4     = [[Písek District|Písek]]
| overlay4colour = #70A1FF
| overlay5form = color
| overlay5     = [[Prachatice District|Prachatice]]
| overlay5colour = #FF81C2
| overlay6form = color
| overlay6     = [[Strakonice District|Strakonice]]
| overlay6colour = #B5FF3E
| overlay7form = color
| overlay7     = [[Tábor District|Tábor]]
| overlay7colour = #00F1F1
}}
{{clear}}

==Population and area==
The total area of the region is 10,057&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> which is 12.8% of the total area of the [[Czech Republic]]. As of 2024, South Bohemian Region's population is 654,505 and with only 65 people per square kilometer, the region has the lowest population density in the whole country.

64.2% of the region's population lives in towns or cities. One-third of the inhabitants live in the five largest municipalities. Only 4% of region's population lives in municipalities with less than 200 inhabitants.

As of 2024, the average age in the region is 43.3 years. Approximately 11% of inhabitants who were 15 years or older had a university degree (in 2001 this was 8%). According to the 2011 census, 20.6% of inhabitants in the region believe in God (however, almost half of the people did not answer this question). The table below gives an overview of the 10 most populated towns and cities in the region (as of 1 January 2024).<ref>{{cite web |title=Population of municipalities of the Czech Republic, 1 January 2024 |url=https://www.czso.cz/documents/10180/218418152/1300722403.pdf/c743e22f-17db-485a-b56b-932e6339b533?version=1.0 |access-date=2024-05-17 |publisher=Czech Statistical Office}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! Population
! Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! [[Regions of the Czech Republic|District]]
|-
| [[File:Flag of Ceske Budejovice.svg|25px]] [[České Budějovice]] || 97,377 || 56 || [[České Budějovice District]]
|-
| [[File:Vlajka města Tábor.gif|25px]] [[Tábor]] || 34,370 || 62 || [[Tábor District]]
|-
| [[File:Flag of Pisek.svg|25px]] [[Písek]] || 30,986 || 63 || [[Písek District]]
|-
| [[File:Flag of Strakonice.svg|25px]] [[Strakonice]] || 22,522 || 35 || [[Strakonice District]]
|-
| [[File:Flag of Jindřichův Hradec.svg|25px]] [[Jindřichův Hradec]] || 20,747 || 74 || [[Jindřichův Hradec District]]
|-
| [[File:Flag of Český Krumlov.svg|border|25px]] [[Český Krumlov]] || 12,944 || 22 || [[Český Krumlov District]]
|-
| [[File:Flag of Prachatice.svg|border|25px]] [[Prachatice]] || 11,250 || 39 || [[Prachatice District]]
|-
| [[File:Flag of Milevsko.svg|25px]] [[Milevsko]] || 8,040 || 42 || [[Písek District]]
|-
| [[File:Flag of Třeboň.svg|border|25px]] [[Třeboň]] || 8,262 || 98 || [[Jindřichův Hradec District]]
|-
| [[File:Týn nad Vltavou vlajka 2011.png|border|25px]] [[Týn nad Vltavou]] || 7,850 || 43 || [[České Budějovice District]]
|-
|}

Other significant towns are: [[Vimperk]], [[Dačice]], [[Kaplice]], [[Soběslav]], [[Sezimovo Ústí]], [[Vodňany]], [[Blatná]], [[Veselí nad Lužnicí]], [[Bechyně]] and [[Protivín]]. The following table provides more details on the districts of the South Bohemian Region:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="background:#ddd;"|District
! style="background:#ddd;"|Population
! style="background:#ddd;"|Area
! style="background:#ddd;"|Pop. Dens.
! style="background:#ddd;"|No.of Settlements
|-
|[[Okres České Budějovice|České Budějovice]] (CB)
| style="text-align:right;"|201,926
| style="text-align:right;"|1,638.30
| style="text-align:right;"|123
| style="text-align:right;"|109
|-
|[[Okres Český Krumlov|Český Krumlov]] (CK)
| style="text-align:right;"|62,072
| style="text-align:right;"|1,615.03
| style="text-align:right;"|38
| style="text-align:right;"|47
|-
|[[Okres Jindřichův Hradec|Jindřichův Hradec]] (JH)
| style="text-align:right;"|90,246
| style="text-align:right;"|1,943.69
| style="text-align:right;"|46
| style="text-align:right;"|106
|-
|[[Okres Písek|Písek]] (PI)
| style="text-align:right;"|72,851
| style="text-align:right;"|1,126.84
| style="text-align:right;"|64
| style="text-align:right;"|75
|-
|[[Okres Prachatice|Prachatice]] (PT)
| style="text-align:right;"|51,474
| style="text-align:right;"|1,375.03
| style="text-align:right;"|37
| style="text-align:right;"|65
|-
|[[Okres Strakonice|Strakonice]] (ST)
| style="text-align:right;"|71,764
| style="text-align:right;"|1,032.10
| style="text-align:right;"|69
| style="text-align:right;"|112
|-
|[[Okres Tábor|Tábor]] (TA)
| style="text-align:right;"|104,172
| style="text-align:right;"|1,326.01
| style="text-align:right;"|78
| style="text-align:right;"|110
|}

{{historical population
|align=none|cols=3
|1869|689119
|1880|722344
|1890|716055
|1900|735548
|1910|753069
|1921|737328
|1930|718874
|1950|550911
|1961|573713
|1970|577543
|1980|613171
|1991|622889
|2001|625267
|2011|628336
|2021|631803
|source=Censuses<ref>{{cite web |title=Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011|url=https://www.czso.cz/documents/10180/20537734/13008415okr.pdf/fdf98232-04d4-433e-b3b5-30dd411573c4?version=1.1|publisher=Czech Statistical Office|language=cs|date=2015-12-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Population Census 2021: Population by sex|url=https://vdb.czso.cz/vdbvo2/faces/en/index.jsf?page=vystup-objekt&pvo=SLD21001-KR&z=T&f=TABULKA&skupId=4429&katalog=33515&pvo=SLD21001-KR|work=Public Database|publisher=[[Czech Statistical Office]]|date=2021-03-27}}</ref>}}

==Geography ==
[[File:Plešné jezero.jpg|thumb|Plešné Lake]]
The central part of the South Bohemian Region consists of the [[České Budějovice Basin]] and [[Třeboň Basin]]. The southwest consists of the [[Bohemian Forest]] mountain range and its foothills, the [[Gratzen Mountains]] and its foothills are located to the south. The northern part of the region extends to the [[Central Bohemian Uplands]]. The eastern part lies in the [[Bohemian-Moravian Highlands]]. The highest elevation in the region is the {{convert|1378|m|adj=on}} high [[Plechý]] in the Bohemian Forest, the lowest elevation with {{convert|350|m|abbr=on}} above sea level is at the [[Orlík Dam]].

The region is located in the [[drainage basin]] of [[Vltava]] river. Other significant rivers are [[Malše]], [[Lužnice (river)|Lužnice]], [[Otava (river)|Otava]], [[Nežárka]] and [[Lomnice (river)|Lomnice]]. South Bohemia is known for its many ponds. In the past, more than seven thousand ponds were established across the region. With its 489 ha [[Rožmberk Pond|Rožmberk]] is the [[List of ponds of the Czech Republic|largest one]], followed by Bezdrev (450 ha) and Horusice pond (415 ha). In the 20th century, a series of dams were constructed on the Vltava river. [[Lipno Reservoir]] is the largest reservoir in the Czech Republic and has an area of 4,870 ha. Other dams in the region are [[Orlík Dam]], Římov Dam and Hněvkovice Dam.<ref>Characteristics of the South Bohemian Region; Available at: http://www.kraj-jihocesky.cz/foreign/eng/region.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017101823/http://www.kraj-jihocesky.cz/foreign/eng/region.php |date=17 October 2012 }}</ref>

A big part of the [[Šumava National Park]] is situated in South Bohemia. The Bohemian Forest is a holiday destination, in particular, with hikers.{{fact|date=January 2021}} Many natural and cultural sights are connected with more than 500&nbsp;km of summer marked trails and bike trails.{{fact|date=January 2021}}

==Climate==
The climate in South Bohemia is of a transitional Central European type. It is affected alternatively by an oceanic influence from the west, and a continental influence from the east. Therefore, the weather can be variable. Most of the South Bohemian region belongs to the mild, warm and wet zone and at altitudes above 750 m, this passes to mild and cool. The warmest month is usually July, with temperatures averaging between 17 and 18&nbsp;°C in valley areas. In higher localities (over 900 m) the temperatures can drop below 14&nbsp;°C. Days with temperatures above 25&nbsp;°C are most frequently in valley-basins, and the area around the confluence of the rivers Lužnice and Vltava (Moldau): on average there are 40-50 such days a year.<ref>Climate; Available at: {{cite web |url=http://www.jiznicechy.cz/en-CZ/south-bohemia/about-the-region/climate.html |title=Visit South Bohemia - Climate |access-date=2013-10-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419155200/http://www.jiznicechy.cz/en-CZ/south-bohemia/about-the-region/climate.html |archive-date=19 April 2015}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Budvar UK retouched.jpg|thumb|100px|right|500ml bottle of Budweiser Budvar, as marketed in the UK]]
In 2021, the region produced 4,8% of the national [[GDP]]. The GDP per capita is 79% of the national average. It's the 11th position out of 14 among all regions. In 2011, the business sector in the South Bohemian Region comprises 159,000 entities, 114,000 of which were sole traders. There are more than 300 thousand people employed in the region, whereof 31% in industry, 13% in trade and 10% in construction sector. The average salary in the region in September 2013 was CZK 21,768 (approximately EUR 850). The unemployment rate in September 2013 was 6.05%.

The Region does not rank among key industrial areas of the Czech Republic. The industrial production is concentrated particularly in the area of [[České Budějovice]] and in [[Tábor District]] and [[Strakonice District]]. The food and drink processing industries play a significant role in the region. Other important sectors are the automotive industry, production of machinery and appliances, and also the textile and clothing industries. Recently, the travel industry has become an important sector in the region.

The Czech Academy of Sciences, whose institutes operate all over the region, provides a good base for the development of science. These institutes focus mostly on biology and ecology. Scientific work is also part of the activities of the [[University of South Bohemia]] (Czech: Jihočeská univerzita) with its headquarters in České Budějovice and Jindřichův Hradec.

Approximately 11% of the national agricultural production is produced in the South Bohemian Region. The agricultural sector focuses on plant production, mostly on growing cereals, oil plants, and potatoes. In animal husbandry, the breeding of cattle and pigs prevails. Fishpond cultivation has a long tradition in South Bohemia. Fish husbandry in the total area of 25 000 ha makes up about 50% of the total national production.<ref>Population, Economy; Available at: http://www.kraj-jihocesky.cz/foreign/eng/more2.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601152830/http://www.kraj-jihocesky.cz/foreign/eng/more2.php |date=1 June 2012 }}</ref>

==Architecture==
[[File:Holasovice1.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Rustic baroque in [[Holašovice]]]]
The region is famous for its small villages with a pond in the middle. These are generally built in the style of the [[Rustic Baroque]], also known as South Bohemian Baroque:

"Rustic Baroque is a term for the unique architecture of South Bohemia. The local folk bricklayer masters Martin Paták and František Šoch created a new type of South Bohemian farmhouse with an ornate frontispiece in the middle of the 19th century. A typical building of this style is a massive rustic farmhouse with two richly decorated frontispieces, which are joined by an arched gate with small doors. The marshland frontispieces are beautifully decorated, they have lavish contours, the surface is usually divided by allusive decorative columns, completed by arches, stylised hearts, four-leafed clovers, meadow flowers."

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Bechyně, zámek.JPG|Chauteau in [[Bechyně]]
CBud sqr.jpg|Přemysl Otakar II Square in [[České Budějovice]]
Ceskykrumlov.JPG|Castle in [[Český Krumlov]]
Borová Lada, Chalupská slať, jezírko.JPG|''Chalupská slať'' peat bog in the Bohemian Forest
Dačice, Palackého náměstí z věže.jpg|[[Dačice]]
Lipno nad Vltavou, přehradní hráz, přehrada.JPG|Lipno Dam
Pisecke namesti.jpg|Velké Square in [[Písek]]
Town hall in Prachatice in 2011 (3).JPG|[[Prachatice]]
Rozmberknadvltavou.JPG|[[Rožmberk nad Vltavou]]
ST lavka pres Otavu DSCN5647.JPG|[[Strakonice]] pedestrian bridge
Tabor CZ Zizka Memorial 323.jpg|Memorial of [[Jan Žižka]] in Žižka Square in [[Tábor]]
Sculptural_group_on_square_in_Volyne.JPG|Town square in [[Volyně]]
</gallery>

==External links==
* {{in lang|cs}} [http://www.kraj-jihocesky.cz/ Official website]
* {{in lang|cs}} {{Official Facebook page|kraj.jihocesky}}
* {{in lang|en|cs}} [http://www.jiznicechy.cz/ Tourist Information System Of South Bohemia]
* {{in lang|en}} [http://www.sumava.com/ Bohemian Forest]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041230094409/http://www.czech.cz/index.php?section=1&menu=5&action=text&id=150 Region Statistics]
* {{in lang|en}} [http://en.trebonsko.com/architecture-of-trebonsko/ The architecture and Rustic Barocco of the Třebon Region]
* {{in lang|en}} [https://valesmonkeys.smugmug.com/Photography/Southern-Bohemia-Moravia/ Photo gallery made by a UNESCO photographer]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{South Bohemian Region}}
{{Regions of the Czech Republic}}

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{{authority control}}

[[Category:South Bohemian Region| ]]
[[Category:Regions of the Czech Republic]]