Central Bohemia
The Central Bohemian Region lies in the heart of the Czech Republic, occupying most of the territory of the historical region of Bohemia. It's surrounded by the regions of Usti nad Labem, Liberec, Hradec Kralove, Pardubice, Vysocina, Plzen, Carlsbad and the South Bohemian Region. The administrative centre of Prague is actually a separate administrative unit and doesn't belong to the region's territory. Most of the Bohemian landscape is flat but varied, with plenty of low, gentle hills. In the southern end of the area, it becomes more mountainous. The most important river here is the Vltava, the longest Czech river, which flows northwards and has great importance for the local economy and tourism. Apart from its attractive nature and possibilities for outdoor sports and recreation, the Central Bohemian Region is famous for its incredible cultural heritage, with plenty of significant historical buildings. One highlight is Karlstejn Castle, near the village of the same name. This imposing Gothic fortification was built in the 14th Century and is among the most-visited tourist attractions in the country. Other noteworthy places include the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kutna Hora and the world-renowned centre of the automobile industry, Mlada Boleslav.