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Lecturer(s)
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Smolová Irena, doc. RNDr. Ph.D.
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Szczyrba Zdeněk, doc. RNDr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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The course covers fundamental knowledge about the territory of the Czech Republic, emphasizing the interrelationships between the natural and socio-economic environment. It introduces students to a comprehensive geographical characterization of the Czech Republic, including its natural, socio-economic, cultural, and economic conditions. Emphasis is placed on the interconnections between the physical and human geographical components of the landscape, regional differentiation, and current developmental processes. Main topics: 1. Geographical location of the Czech Republic (geographical location and its significance, state territory, state borders and cross-border cooperation, the position of the Czech Republic in Central Europe). 2. Geological development and geological structure of the Czech Republic (development of the Bohemian Massif and the Western Carpathians, geological structure and its influence on the landscape, mineral resources and natural resources, their extraction and use - historical aspects and future development prospects). 3. Geomorphology of the Czech Republic (geomorphological development of the territory, geomorphological classification, main landform types (karst, sandstone rock cities, volcanic relief, fluvial and glacial landforms), characteristics of the main geomorphological provinces, hazardous geomorphological processes). 4. Climate, water resources, soils, and biota of the Czech Republic (climatic conditions and climatic regionalization, hydrological network, river basins, reservoirs and fishpond systems, hydrological extremes and water protection, soil and biogeographical conditions, changes in landscape structure, climate change and its impacts on the landscape). 5. Nature and landscape conservation in the Czech Republic (development of nature conservation, specially protected areas, the European Natura 2000 network, current environmental issues affecting the landscape). 6. The development of the territorial-administrative division in the Czech Republic (the evolution of changes in the territorial-administrative division, with an emphasis on territorial-administrative reforms after 1989, municipal government, and regional government). 7. Population and settlement system (population development, population distribution, urbanization, suburbanization and metropolization, settlement structure and urban hierarchy). 8. Economic geography of the Czech Republic (economic transformation after 1989, industry, agriculture, transport, services, tourism, regional economic disparities). 9. Regional differentiation of the Czech Republic (historical lands and administrative division, regions of the Czech Republic, metropolitan, peripheral, and structurally disadvantaged regions, regional disparities and factors influencing regional development). 10. Current geographical processes and regional development (demographic changes, changes in land use, impacts of climate change, sustainable regional development, regional development strategy of the Czech Republic). Practical classes: The practical component includes work with thematic maps, atlases, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistical databases (e.g., the Czech Statistical Office), remote sensing, and regional case studies. Students analyze spatial differences among the regions of the Czech Republic and interpret current geographical data. For part-time students, study materials are available on moodle.upol.cz.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture, Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Group work
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the fundamental knowledge of the territory of the Czech Republic in the context of the interconnections between the natural and socio-economic environment. After completing the course, students will understand the geographical organization of the Czech Republic and explain the spatial arrangement of natural, socio-economic, and cultural-historical phenomena and processes. The objective is to develop the ability to analyze the regional differentiation of the Czech Republic at various hierarchical levels (the state, regions, administrative districts, and functional regions) and to interpret the causes of regional disparities. Throughout the course, students work with geographical data, statistical sources, maps, and GIS, with the aim of learning to critically interpret regional indicators and apply them in the assessment of territorial differences. Students will also be able to identify and evaluate current regional issues in the Czech Republic, particularly demographic changes, suburbanization, peripheralization, structural transformation, environmental burdens, and the impacts of climate change on regional development.
Students will acquire the competencies and skills to understand the geographical organization of the territory of the Czech Republic and explain the spatial arrangement of natural, socio-economic, and cultural-historical phenomena and processes. Students will gain the ability to analyze the regional differentiation of the Czech Republic at various hierarchical levels (state, regions, administrative districts, functional regions) and to interpret the causes of regional differences. As part of the course, they will further develop their ability to work with geographical data, statistical sources, maps, and GIS, critically interpret regional indicators, and use them in assessing territorial disparities. Students will acquire the ability to explain the development of the territorial and administrative division of the Czech Republic, evaluate the significance of state borders, settlement structure, and the administrative organization of the state in both historical and contemporary contexts. They will be able to assess the relationships between natural conditions and the socio-economic development of regions, including their influence on settlement patterns, the economy, transport, tourism, and the quality of life of the population. Students will be able to apply the principles of regional geography to solving model tasks, use geographical thinking, and integrate knowledge from both physical and human geography. They will be able to propose ways of applying regional geographical knowledge in geography education at primary and secondary schools, including the design of inquiry-based learning activities, work with maps, and regional case studies. Students will develop the competence to critically evaluate geographical information, formulate data-based arguments, and draw professional conclusions about the development and future prospects of individual regions of the Czech Republic. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Czech Republic as a geographical system, integrating physical-geographical, socio-economic, cultural, and environmental aspects of regional development.
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Prerequisites
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The course builds on knowledge from individual geographic disciplines, especially Physical Geography 1 and 2, and Human Geography 1 and 2.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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unspecified
Basic knowledge covering the scope of the course content. Course completion: written exam (minimum 70% pass rate, 70 points out of 100, possibility to earn 20 bonus points, 1 mandatory task (max. 10 points) + 1 optional task).
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Recommended literature
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Culek, M. (1996). Biogeografické členění České republiky. Praha.
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Demek, J. et al. (2015). Zeměpisný lexikon ČR. Hory a nížiny. Brno.
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Hampl, M., Marada, M. Socio-geographic regionalization of Czechia. Praha. 2015.
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Chlupáč, I. et al. (2002). Geologická minulost České republiky. Praha.
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Jindra, Z., Jakubec, I. kol. (2025). Hospodářský vzestup českých zemí od poloviny 18. století do konce monarchie. Praha.
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Kolektiv autorů. (2009). Atlas krajiny České republiky: Landscape atlas of the Czech Republic. Praha.
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Kolektiv. Populační vývoj České republiky 1994 (.. 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998). Praha, PřF UK 1995 (.. 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999).
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Kos., J., Maršáková, M. (1997). Chráněná území České republiky. Agentura ochrany přírody a krajiny ČR,. Praha.
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Matějíček, J., & Hladný, J. (1999). Povoďnová katastrofa 20. století na území České republiky. Praha.
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Matějů, P., Vlachová, K. 2000. Nerovnost, spravedlnost, politika. Česká republika 1991 - 1998. Praha: SLON..
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MMR ČR. (2021). Strategie regionálního rozvoje ČR 2021+. Praha.
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MŽP ČR. Strategický rámec Česká republika 2030.
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MŽP ČR. (2021). Strategie přizpůsobení se změně klimatu v podmínkách ČR (1. aktualizace pro období 2021 ? 2030). Praha.
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MŽP. Zpráva o stavu životního prostředí (ročenka). Praha.
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Ouředníček, M., Jíchová, J., Pospíšilová, L. (2017). Historický atlas obyvatelstva českých zemí. Praha.
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Ouředníček, M. (2013). Sub Urbs: krajina, sídla a lidé. Praha.
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Ouředníček, M., Temelová, J., Pospíšilová, L. eds. (2011). Atlas sociálně prostorové diferenciace České republiky. Praha.
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Pavlík, Z., Kučera, M. (eds.). (2002). Populační vývoj České republiky 1990-2002. Praha.
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Plchová, B., Abrhám, J., Helísek, M. (2016). Česká republika a EU: ekonomika - měna - hospodářská politika. Praha.
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Tolasz, R. et al. (2007). Atlas podnebí Česka: Climate atlas of Czechia. Praha.
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