Carlsbad Region
The region of Carlsbad is located in the westernmost part of the Czech Republic, and is to a large extent surrounded by German territory. In the eastern direction, the region borders Usti nad Labem and Plzen. Although Carlsbad is the second-least populous and third-smallest administrative division of the Czech Republic, it's among the most popular and beloved tourist destinations. This follows from the fact that the destrict is extremely rich in mineral waters, whose healing properties were known as far back as the Middle Ages. The biggest health and spa resort in the area, the world-famous Carlsbad, bears the name of its founder, Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. Together with the neighbouring mountain towns of Marianske Lazne and Frantiskovy Lazne, it forms a proverbial triangle of luxurious resorts, where incomparable conditions for sport and relaxation in nature are available. Besides its mineral waters, the region is also famed for its top-quality glass manufacturing, a local liquor called Becherovka and the magnificent architectural examples in the Old Town of Carlsbad, which is also the venue for an annual film festival which enjoys an excellent reputation around the world.