Ostrov (Karlovy Vary District)
Encyclopedia
Ostrov (ˈostrof; ), is a town
in the Carlsbad Region
, Czech Republic
. It is located at a foothill of the Ore Mountains about 10 km northeast of Karlovy Vary
and has a population of 16,999 (September, 2009).
The origin of the settlement named Zlaukowerde (Slávek's Island) at the confluence
of Bystřice
and Jáchymovský Creeks traces back to the beginning of the 13th century. The town charter
for Ostrov was issued by Bohemia
n king John the Blind
in 1331. The population of Ostrov multiplied after WWII
with a boom of uranium mining
in nearby Jáchymov
. The extensive housing blocks from the 1950s forming the new part of Ostrov are considered one of the best examples of socialist realism
architecture
in the Czech Republic.
The town was known for production of Škoda trolleybus
es for many decades, but this ended in 2004.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in the Carlsbad Region
Carlsbad Region
Karlovy Vary Region is an administrative unit of the Czech Republic, located in the westernmost part of its historical region of Bohemia. It is named after its capital Karlovy Vary...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. It is located at a foothill of the Ore Mountains about 10 km northeast of Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary is a spa city situated in western Bohemia, Czech Republic, on the confluence of the rivers Ohře and Teplá, approximately west of Prague . It is named after King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who founded the city in 1370...
and has a population of 16,999 (September, 2009).
The origin of the settlement named Zlaukowerde (Slávek's Island) at the confluence
Confluence (geography)
In geography, a confluence is the meeting of two or more bodies of water. It usually refers to the point where two streams flow together, merging into a single stream...
of Bystřice
Bystrice River
Bystřice is a small river in the Czech Republic, draining south from its source near Pecka through Miletín, Hořice, Mokrovousy, Nechanice, Boharyně, Kratonohy and merging with Cidlina at Chlumec nad Cidlinou....
and Jáchymovský Creeks traces back to the beginning of the 13th century. The town charter
Municipal charter
A city charter or town charter is a legal document establishing a municipality such as a city or town. The concept developed in Europe during the middle ages....
for Ostrov was issued by Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
n king John the Blind
John I of Bohemia
John the Blind was the Count of Luxembourg from 1309 and King of Bohemia from 1310 and titular King of Poland. He was the eldest son of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII and his wife Margaret of Brabant...
in 1331. The population of Ostrov multiplied after WWII
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
with a boom of uranium mining
Uranium mining
Uranium mining is the process of extraction of uranium ore from the ground. The worldwide production of uranium in 2009 amounted to 50,572 tonnes, of which 27% was mined in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia are the top three producers and together account for 63% of world uranium...
in nearby Jáchymov
Jáchymov
For other places called Joachimsthal, see Joachimsthal Jáchymov . compl: "Sant Joachim's Sthal" is a spa town in north-west Bohemia in the Czech Republic belonging to the Karlovy Vary Region. It is situated at an altitude of 733 m above sea level in the eponymous St...
. The extensive housing blocks from the 1950s forming the new part of Ostrov are considered one of the best examples of socialist realism
Socialist realism
Socialist realism is a style of realistic art which was developed in the Soviet Union and became a dominant style in other communist countries. Socialist realism is a teleologically-oriented style having its purpose the furtherance of the goals of socialism and communism...
architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
in the Czech Republic.
The town was known for production of Škoda trolleybus
Trolleybus
A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
es for many decades, but this ended in 2004.