STREDNI CECHY - Economy
Highly developed industrial structure
Stredni Cechy is a industrially highly developed region where engineering prevails. Almost all branches of industry are represented in the region's economy. The area of Mladá Boleslav has become a centre for transport engineering of nationwide significance, and mechanical engineering works are found throughout the region.
The region produces 11% of electricity generated in the entire Czech Republic. The decisive share is generated in thermal power stations. Electricity is produced in the area of Melník and Kladno. The largest thermal power station is in the district of Melník. In peak hours the Orlík hydro-electric power plant is used.
Large cement factories and kilns are operated in the area of Beroun. The food processing industry is also of importance. Stredni Cechy is best known for the manufacture of cars, synthetic rubber, LPs and abrasive material.
The region is the biggest producer of cereals in the Czech Republic. Thanks largely to the growing of sugar beet, for which good conditions exist in the area of the River Labe, the agriculture of the region is advanced. Stredni Cechy has attained a dominant position within the Czech Republic in the growing of cereals and sugar beet, and is also well known for its oil-seed rape and hop growing.
The main economic activities are manufacturing, construction and agriculture.
Region well served by rail network
The whole transport system of Stredni Cechy is heavily influenced by the capital city, Prague, which is situated right in the centre of the region. Transport routes that run across the territory have been constructed over the centuries so as to create a radial network converging on Prague as the centre of Bohemia. Three motorways ( cross the region and another eight significant first class roads link the other regions with the capital city. The motorway D3 (Prague - Ceske Budejovice) and the Highway R6 (Prague - Karlovy Vary) are under construction. Virtually all international east-west transport runs through the territory, especially goods transport. Also of importance is the tourist transit traffic across the region, especially in the summer months.
Stredni Cechy has one of the highest proportions of passenger cars - 393 per 1 000 inhabitants in 2002 - the third placed region after Praha and Jihozapad. With its 21.5 km of national-class road per 1 000 passenger cars and 8.5 km per 1 000 population, the region is second only to Jihozapad.
All the main towns of the region's districts are linked by the 13 express railway lines. Rail transport is important for commuters to Prague and for freight for the capital city. Because of this, the Praha-Kolín electrified line ranks among the busiest in the Czech Republic in both passenger and freight transport. A project for the construction of high speed railway lines from Prague to Kladno and Prague to Mlada Boleslav is under preparation.
The largest Czech rivers, the Labe and the Vltava, are also important elements in the transport system. Industrial raw materials and supplies are transported by river, and in particular coal for the largest coal-burning power stations in the region at Melník.
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