Location: Central Europe, southeast of Germany. Area: Total: 78,866 sq km Land: 77,276 sq km Water: 1,590 sq km Land boundaries: Total: 1,881 km. Border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km, Slovakia 215 km. Coastline: 0 km (Landlocked). Maritime claims: None (Landlocked) Climate: Temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters. Terrain: Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country. Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Elbe River 115 m. Highest point: Snezka 1,602 m. Natural resources: Hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber. Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) the largest Czech spa is located in a picturesque valley of the Tepia River by its confluence with the Ohie River at 1200 ft. above sea level. The town is surrounded by forest hills adapted into parks. The area where hot springs have been since the Stone Age was gradually settled by primeval Celts, Slavs and Germans. In the 14th century the royal Loket deer park was here. According to a popular legend, the hot springs were discovered by Czech king and a Holy Roman Emperor Charles lV while hunting. But history tells us, that by 1325 the settlement Wary was founded here. Around 1358 Charles lV built a small castle there and in 1370 Karlovy Vary got the privileges of a free royal town. In 1522 the first spa buildings were built. The centre of Karlovy Vary was then around the Hot Spring and the market place with the small castle. After the end of the 30 years old war the spa town developed and crafts flowered. The following period of relative peace was reflected in town life. More and more visitors came and at the beginning of the century many scientists and specialists came to study the hot springs and spa treatment. In the late 1700s Karlovy Vary became an important health resort. The look of Karlovy Vary today is strongly influenced by the Revival and Secession architecture of the 19th and 20th centuries. At this time several significant buildings were built: The Mill Colonnade, the town theatre, the Grand hotel Pupp, the Market Colonnade and many beautiful spa houses. Karlovy Vary’s fame today comes from the many famous and important people who have visited or been treated there. Emperor Charles lV visited Karlovy Vary several times and in 1630 Albrecht of Wallenstein visited, accompanied by 100 carriages. Russian czar Peter the Great took treatment in 1711 and for years the social life of this spa was influenced by the visits of Polish king Bedrich the Strong. The famous German poet, scientist and diplomat J.W.Goethe visited Karlovy Vary thirteen times between 1785 and 1823. Other famous guests included Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Pagganini, Freud, Marx, Gogol, Mickiewicz, Metternich, Turgenev, J.E.Purkyne, A.Dvorak, K.Capek, and T.G.Masaryk. The oldest known reference to Karlovy Vary’s hot springs and spa treatment was written by the physician V.Payer of Loket in 1522. New treatment methods were introduced by Dr. David Becher in 1722. He determined the basic chemical components of Karlovy Vary’s water, recommended drinking it directly from the springs and significantly cut the amount used during treatment. This procedure is still in effect today. He also brought diets and walks into the treatment. Karlovy Vary spa treatment is based on the drinking of hot mineral springs. Their composition is almost identical- so called alkaline-saline-muriatic terms containing salt (about 6g/l). Besides basic elements such as sodium, calcium, Sulphide, and carbohydrates the springs contain many others. Karlovy Vary’s springs are located 6000 ft. below the ground. A stone called “Vridlovec” is created from the sediment. Besides the drinking cure, classical hydrotherapy, baths and modern physical therapy are used. In Karlovy Vary mainly digestive system diseases are treated: stomach, bowels, and liver, gall bladder and Gail canals. The most important metabolic disorder is diabetes followed by obesity and lipid disorders. Nervous system diseases are also treated, mainly of the spine. And patients increasingly come for rehabilitation after successful cancer surgery. Karlovy Vary has many attractions: an international film festival, music festivals, scientific conventions, international tennis and golf tournaments and horse racing. There are many sport opportunities here, fishing included. Karlovy Vary is remarkable also for its unique promenades to beautiful views of the Tepla river valley and of the Krusné Mountains.