The Zlín Region (Czech: Zlínský kraj) is an administrative unit (kraj) of the Czech Republic, located in the southeastern part of the historical region of Moravia. Its administrative center is the city of Zlín. Established in 2000, the region covers an area of approximately 3,963 square kilometers and borders the Olomouc Region to the north, the Moravian-Silesian Region to the northeast, the South Moravian Region to the southwest, and shares an international border with Slovakia to the east.
Geography
The landscape of the Zlín Region is diverse, characterized by a mix of lowland basins and mountainous terrain. The western part of the region includes the fertile Morava River basin and the Chřiby highlands. To the east and southeast, the terrain rises into the Western Carpathian Mountains, including the Hostýn-Vsetín Mountains, the Moravian-Silesian Beskids, and the White Carpathians (Bílé Karpaty), the latter of which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The primary watercourses are the Morava, Bečva, and Dřevnice rivers.
Administrative Divisions
The region is divided into four districts (okresy):
- Kroměříž
- Uherské Hradiště
- Vsetín
- Zlín
As of the most recent census data, the region is home to approximately 580,000 residents. It contains 307 municipalities, including 30 towns.
Economy
The economic profile of the Zlín Region is heavily influenced by its industrial heritage. The city of Zlín became a global center for footwear manufacturing in the early 20th century due to the expansion of the Bata Shoe Company, which shaped the region's urban planning and functionalist architecture. Today, the regional economy is dominated by manufacturing, specifically mechanical engineering, plastics processing, the rubber industry (notably Barum Continental), and food processing. Agriculture is prominent in the southern and western lowlands (Haná and Moravian Slovakia regions), focusing on grain, fruit, and viticulture.
Culture and Tourism
The Zlín Region is noted for its distinct ethnographic areas, including Moravian Slovakia (Slovácko), Wallachia (Valašsko), and Haná (Hanácko), each maintaining unique folklore, dialects, and traditional architecture. Significant cultural and historical sites include:
- Kroměříž: The Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Luhačovice: The largest spa town in Moravia, known for its mineral springs and architecture by Dušan Jurkovič.
- Velehrad: A major pilgrimage site associated with the Saints Cyril and Methodius.
- Rožnov pod Radhoštěm: Home to the Wallachian Open Air Museum, one of the oldest and largest ethnographic museums in Central Europe.
Transportation and Infrastructure
The region is connected to the national transport network via several major roads, including the D1 and D55 motorways. Rail transport facilitates connections between the regional center and major Czech hubs such as Prague, Brno, and Ostrava, as well as cross-border travel to Slovakia. The Baťa Canal (Baťův kanál), a historical water transport route, now serves as a significant tourist attraction for recreational boating.
