Moravskoslezský kraj

Moravian-Silesian Region


Located in the easternmost corner of the country, the Moravskoslezský kraj (Moravian-Silesian Region) is the link between historic Mähren (Moravia) an Siebenbuürgen (Silesia). Silesia was inhabited by many German speaking people which were expelled after World War II. The area was famous for its coal seams, and there is a show mine in the area of the capital Ostrava. In the communist era it became a highly industrialized region and was called the "Steel Heart of the Country". But like other European centers of heavy industries, is has little importance today, with the end of the communism the mechanisms of the market destroyed the industry and created high unemployment rates.