Statistická ročenka Pardubického kraje

Characteristics of the Pardubický Region

The area of 4,519 km2 (5.7% of the CR’s area) ranks the Region fifth smallest among the Regions of the CR. Agricultural land makes 60.7% of the total area, with arable land making 44.5% of agricultural land. Forest land covers 29.4% of the Region’s area. The highest point of the Region is the Králický Sněžník Mount (1424m above sea level), which is the third highest point in the CR. The whole of the Králický Sněžník Mount area, involving remains of original vegetation and moorland, has been declared a national nature reserve. The lowest point of the Region is the surface of the Labe River at Kojice (202m above sea level), near the western border of the Region.

The quality of the environment varies throughout the Region, owing to a great diversity in natural conditions, settlement, industrial and agricultural activities. It is the foothill and upland areas lacking any rather large settlements of central and northern parts of the Ústí nad Orlicí District and southern parts of the Chrudim District that suffer from the impact of human activities in the least degree. The greatest degree of that impact is seen in the area of concentrated industrial activities, settlement and traffic – the Pardubice area. Here, the environmental damage, resulting particularly from chemical and power industry (the Paramo and Synthesia chemical works, the Opatovice and Chvaletice power plants), has grown to involve the most serious environmental problems within the whole CR.

Regarding water management, the Pardubický Region is an extraordinary important area with excessive water supplies, whose significance reaches beyond the regional level, of ground water as well as surface water drawn from watercourses. The Region involves many headstreams, without any inflow pollution from other catchment areas. A rather low degree of wastewater pollution is seen in middle and lower parts of watercourses, except for the Labe River and the upper course of the Svitava River. The three largest water surface areas are the Seč Reservoir (on the Chrudimka River), the Bohdaneč Pond (on the Opatovice River Channel) and the Pastviny Dam (on the Divoká Orlice River). Some parts of the Region are under large-scale protection measures, i.e. they involve water protection zones, or natural water accumulation protected areas (CHOPAV). The ground water supplies are connected particularly with synclines of the Czech Cretaceous Basin in eastern Bohemia (the Ústí nad Orlicí District and the Svitavy District) and with the Labe quaternary sediments (the Pardubice District).

The Pardubický Region comprises four Districts (Chrudim, Pardubice, Svitavy, and Ústí nad Orlicí), and 452 municipalities as at 1 January 2004, which is the sixth highest number of municipalities among the 14 Regions in the CR). The average cadastral area of municipality 10.0 km2 is the third smallest in the CR and the average mean number of population 1,118 inhabitants ranks the Region tenth in the CR. And it is the cooperation among municipalities that is the basis for the gradual process of forming micro-regions, which is one of the Region’s strengths that should contribute to its overall development. Of the Region’s population, 14.1% live in municipalities under 500 inhabitants, which is by two thirds higher than the national average. There is seen a gradual increase in the share of municipalities of the population between 500 – 1,999, which now makes 23.7%, being by one third higher than the national average. The percentage of population living in municipalities of 2,000 – 9,999 inhabitants is 21.5% in the Region, which is by one tenth higher than the national average. The percentage of population living in municipalities of over 10,000 inhabitants makes 40.7%, which is about by one fourth lower than the national average. In the Region’s capital Pardubice, there live 17.6% of the population of the Region.

The Region’s population was 505,486 as at 31 December 2003, which is 5.0% of the CR’s total population. In comparison with previous years there is a slight constant decrease – comparing to 2002, the decrease is by 2.1l. The following Districts rank among the most populated: Pardubice, Ústí nad Orlicí, Chrudim and Svitavy, respectively. The following towns rank among the most populated: Pardubice, Chrudim and Svitavy. Regarding the distribution of the population by age in 2003 when compared to 2002, there was a decrease in the under 15 age group (by 2.4%), which was influenced by the decrease in births, while an increase was observed in the 65+ age group (by 3.4l). The ratio of 65+ population to that under 15 (the dependency ratio) amounted to 89.7 in 2003 (in 2002 it was 87.3). The dependency ratio for females in 2003 was 112.4, while for males it was only 68.4. This big difference is caused mainly by lower age of males at death but also by higher share of boys born.

One of the fundamental requirements to reverse the disadvantageous demographic development is to stimulate housing construction. In 2003, the Pardubický Region ranked fourth in terms of the number of started dwellings per 1,000 inhabitants. The highest number of dwellings within the Region was completed in the District of Ústí nad Orlicí (362 dwellings); on the contrary, the lowest number of completed dwellings in 2003 was in the District of Svitavy (only 209 dwellings) followed by the District of Chrudim (283). The 2003 average registered number of employees was 137,248 F/T equivalent persons, which is by 5.8% more than the 2002 figure. Regarding the number of employees in relation to the breakdown by industrial activities a high percentage of employees is reported in industry (48.7%), education (10.4%), agriculture (7.0%), and human health activities (7.0%). Taking a long-term view, the trend of restructuring of the Region’s economy is observed, with the transfer from the primary and secondary spheres to the tertiary sphere taking place. The average monthly gross wage in the Pardubický Region has been experiencing a continual increase over last years, amounting to CZK 14,581 in 2003 (actual persons), which makes 86.2% of the national average. Regarding industrial breakdown, the highest average wages were paid by bank and insurance houses (CZK 25,888). Drawing an inter-region comparison, as for average gross wages of the employed in industry the Pardubický Region is the last but one.

The registered unemployment rate was 9.42% as at 31 December 2003 (the seventh place among the Regions), which is by 0.76% higher than the 2002 rate. The highest unemployment rates are reported in the Svitavy District (13.39%) and the Chrudim District (10.39%). The registered number of the unemployed amounts to 24,165 persons and makes 4.5% of the unemployed in the whole CR. Almost one half of registered job applicants is formed by the under 34 age group. Females make about half (51.5%) of the unemployed; persons with a reduced capability to work make 15.8%. Regarding educational attainment, most of the job applicants are observed among persons with secondary vocational education (45.1%) and basic education (27.1%). There were ten job applicants per vacancy in the Region (which is by 10% less than in 2002); regarding work positions for persons with reduced capability to work, there were 31 job applicants per vacancy.

In 2002, the purchasing power standard GDP per inhabitant was 52.9% of the EU15 average (by 1.2 percentual points more than in 2001) and 58.0% of the EU25 average. Five branches of industry make a significant contribution to the Region’s GDP, comprising 71.4% of the Region’s gross value added. The decisive role is played by the manufacturing industry, whose share in gross value added of the Region in 2002 was 33.2%. High share in gross value added was observed also at the following groups: Transport, storage and communications (12.0%) and Wholesale and retail trade (10.7%). Among other important branches were Real estate, renting and business activities (7.9% of gross value added of the Region) and Construction (7.6%).

As for transport, the most used is road and railway network in the Region. There are more than 500 km of rail tracks and the regional town of Pardubice is one of the most important crossing stations of the Czech Republic. It is a part of the international rail highway E040 (connecting Paris, Nuremberg, Prague and Vienna) and the rail highway E061 as well (connecting Berlin, Prague, Brno and Vienna). In Pardubice, tracks of national relevance link to the main track, providing the connection to Liberec, and to Havlíčkův Brod via Chrudim and Hlinsko. Current road network comprises the total of 3,580 km (roads classified into class I: 445 km; roads classified into class II: 912 km; roads classified into class III: 2,223 km). The most important route is the road No. I/37 coming from the north via Pardubice and Chrudim towards Ždírec nad Doubravou. In Chrudim, it meets the road No. I/17 leading from Čáslav, via Heřmanův Městec, Hrochův Týnec to Zámrsk. The Southeast of the Region has its main intersection point at Svitavy. The road No. I/35 leads northwestwards via Litomyšl, Vysoké Mýto, and Holice towards Hradec Králové. In future, the expected extension further eastwards of the current highway route Prague – Poděbrady should be the turning point in the road transport matters. The speed-traffic road R35 should link to the proposed highway route northwards from Pardubice, being thus the backbone road in the Region. As for the air transport, the international airport in Pardubice plays the principal role, providing both military and civil air traffic operation. In terms of water transport, only a short navigable part of the Labe River is in use. To be able to make a port zone for transport and logistics in Pardubice, the 23-km long section between Pardubice and Chvaletice has to be made navigable. Thus, the town of Pardubice will be directly connected not only to important seaport in Hamburg, but also to the entire network of European watercourses. In summer 2000, river transport of persons was commenced on a regular seasonal basis to operate on the route Kunětice – Pardubice – Přelouč; it belongs to the biggest attractions for tourists.

Regarding education, there was reported in 2003 the total of 314 nursery schools in the Pardubický Region, with 15,182 children enrolled in 661 classes. Other educational establishments comprise: 237 basic schools (2,295 classes, 48,905 pupils), 20 grammar schools (7,310 pupils), 41 secondary technical schools (10,608 full-time students), 30 secondary vocational schools (9,106 pupils) and 11 higher professional schools (1,455 full-time students). There is also the University of Pardubice comprising four faculties and private college in Litomyšl – the Institute of restoration and conservation techniques.

As for health care, the Pardubický Region involved the following establishments in 2003: 10 hospitals (2,776 beds), 7 specialised therapeutic institutions (1,254 beds), in that 3 therapeutic institutions for long-term patients (252 beds) and 103 pharmacies and health care goods shops. Besides the establishments mentioned above, there are other various independent health establishments in the Region (e.g. GP’s consulting rooms, specialist’s consulting rooms, establishments run by a person with non-medical university education, independent laboratories, etc.). The 2003 F/T equivalent number of physicians was 1,656 (1,616 physicians at non-government establishments). There were 306 inhabitants per physician in 2002.

The Pardubický Region has a great potential for the development of tourism. One can find there lowland as well as mountainous landscape, agreeable climate as well as many places fit for bathing, water sports, hiking, cycling tourism and winter sports. Areas attractive for tourists are especially northern and eastern part of the Ústí nad Orlicí District – foothills of the Orlické hory mountains, ski resort in Buková hora-Suchý vrch, and the area of Králický Sněžník. In the Chrudim District, mainly in its southern and southwestern part, there are also many tourist centres – the most visited are: the area around the Seč dam, areas at Horní Bradlo, Bojanov and Křižanovice in the Železné hory mountains. Agrotourism is winning popularity throughout the whole Region (in the foothill areas, in particular), especially the estates devoted to traditional horse breeding play a primary role. In 2003, there was the total of 319 accommodation establishments in the Pardubický Region, providing service to about 307 thousand guests. The average number of overnight stays was 3.7 and the average length of stay 4.7 days. The number of collective accommodation establishments, beds in them and number of guests are in the Pardubický Region the lowest in the inter-region comparison.

Cultural establishments and activities in the Region are concentrated mostly in towns. Among the most important we can mention Muzeum loutkářských kultur (the Puppet Museum) in the Chrudim District, state chateau in Slatiňany with its horse museum, open-air (folk) museum (a set of folk constructions in Vysočina area at Veselý Kopec hill and adjacent localities of Hlinsko area). In the Pardubice District, visitors are attracted especially by the Castle of Pardubice, where one can see the exhibits of the Východočeské muzeum (Museum of East Bohemia) and the Východočeská galerie (Gallery of East Bohemia). Interesting for them is also late-Gothic castle at Kunětická hora mountain and Africké muzeum (Museum of Africa) in the town of Holice, which is devoted to Dr. Emil Holub, who was a famous traveller born in Holice. Every year, more and more visitors are coming also to the National Stud Farm in Kladruby nad Labem, which besides regular sightseeing tours organizes various actions for horse lovers, too. In the Svitavy District, tourists are attracted by the Svojanov castle or the area of the Litomyšl chateau, which was added to the Unesco´s World Heritage List in 1999. In the Ústí nad Orlicí District, well-known are ruins of the following castles: Lanšperk, Litice, Žampach and historical centres of towns. Music in the Region is usually connected with famous Komorní filharmonie (the Pardubice Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra) but also Smetanova Litomyšl (Smetana’s Litomyšl), the festival of classical music, or other music festivals held in Polička, which have their tradition. As for theatre, the most famous is Východočeské divadlo (the Theatre of East Bohemia) in Pardubice. Přelouč has hosted for already 10 years the awarding ceremony of Cena Františka Filipovského (the Prize of František Filipovský) for dubbing.

Regarding sports activities, the Pardubice Horserace Course, where the Velká Pardubická Steeplechase is held, is the best known. Motor sports fans are certain to recall the speedway race Zlatá přilba České republiky (the Golden Helmet of the Czech Republic). Moreover, the Pardubický Region ranks on the top in connection with other sports, too. It is the ice hockey with the Pardubice extra league team breeding players of international quality; it is the tennis courts frequently remembered by almost every Czech famous tennis player, because the Championship of the Czech Republic for young competitors opens professional career for the talented youth.

In the end, here are several points, for which the Pardubický Region is unique:

· the lowest number of abortions per 100 births;

· the highest relative decrease of population by migration;

· the lowest net money income of households per person;

· the lowest average gross monthly wage of technical, medical and pedagogical workers and craftsmen;

· the highest share of citizens with a reduced capability to work among unplaced job applicants;

· the lowest average price for dwelling houses per m3;

· the lowest number of collective accommodation establishments;

· the lowest number of guests in collective accommodation establishments;

· the highest share of road accidents caused under the influence of alcohol;

· the second highest relative decrease of population in total;

· the second lowest number of marriages per 1,000 population;

· the second lowest average gross monthly wage in industry;

· the second lowest share of registered job applicants under 24 years;

· the second highest share of agricultural land in total area of the Region;

· the second highest share of cattle per 100ha of agricultural land;

· the second highest specific emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in kg per inhabitant;

· the second lowest share of population living in houses connected to public sewerage;

· the third lowest number of divorces per 1,000 inhabitants;

· the third lowest average gross monthly wage in construction;

· the third highest number of dwellings with construction started in family houses;

· the third lowest net money income of households per person;

· the third lowest number of crimes per 1,000 population;

· the fourth lowest average gross monthly wages;

· the fourth highest sales from industrial activity per 1 employee;

· the fourth highest share of employees in research and development per 1,000 population;

· the fourth highest expenditures for research and development per 1,000 population.