Bratislava Region - Tomás Srnka
Bratislava Region
Regions—which are sometimes difficult to depict accurately on maps—may be based on economic activity, climate and topography, cultural history, or location relative to other regions. One region may be defined in terms of the vast desert that dominates its landscape, whilst another may exist because its residents follow a common religion and speak one language, or be dependent on a single agricultural crop. Many regions cross national borders, but others exist entirely within a single state. Despite the difficulties in defining regions precisely, they are extremely useful to geographers because they are based on the meaningful social, cultural, and economic factors that produce a distinctive geographic identity (referaty.sk). Since 1949, Slovakia has been divided into “kraje” (singular "kraj";translated as "Regions"). Their number, borders and functions have been changed several times. Every Regions has been devided in okresy (districts). There are currently 79 districts of Slovakia. Now, Slovakia has 8 Regions: 1. Bratislava Region (Bratislavský kraj) 2. Trnava Region (Trnavský kraj) 3. Trenčín Region (Trenčiansky kraj) 4. Nitra Region (Nitriansky kraj) 5. Žilina Region (Žilinský kraj) 6. Banská Bystrica Region (Banskobystrický kraj) 7. Prešov Region (Prešovský kraj) 8. Košice Region (Košický kraj) Bratislava Region - Tomás Srnka
Before 1949, Slovakia was not devided into Regions, but into comitatuses (It was administrative unit in Hungary Kingdom from the 10th century to 1918) (wikipedia.org). Bratislava region is devided into 8 districts: 1. Bratislava I 2. Bratislava II 3. Bratislava III 4. Bratislava IV 5. Bratislava V 6. Malacky District 7. Pezinok District 8. Senec District Total area: 2,053 square kilometres. Total population (2001): 599,015. Population density: 301/square kilometer (wikipedia.org). Bratislava I-V make Bratislava city.
BRATISLAVA Bratislava is a capital city of Slovakia, the absolute location is: 48°9' N, and 17°7' E. Before 1919 Bratislava was name as Prešporok in Slovak and Pressburg in German and English; Pozsony in Hungarian. In 1918 temporarily: Wilsonovo mesto (i. e. "Wilson City", after U.S. President Woodrow Wilson). It has population about 450,000. Bratislava lies on the River Danube. It's only 60km (50-75min by train, 45min by car) from Vienna. One of the most conspicuous buildings of the town is the Bratislava Castle. Castle of stone was built in the 10th century. It was turned to Gothic style in 1430, in 1526 to Renaissance, and in 1649 a baroque reconstruction took place. In 1811, the castle was destroyed by fire by the soldiers of the barracks and was in ruins till the 1950s, when it was reconstructed mostly in its former Maria Theresa style. Devin is another castle in Bratislava(in western part of Bratislava). It is situated on the top of a high rock at the point where the March (Morava) river, which forms the boundary between Austria and Slovakia, falls into the Danube. Another important building in Bratislava is the St. Martin's Cathedral. St. Martin's Cathedral is a Gothic edifice of the 14th-15th century replacing an older church from the 13th century, in which many of the Hungarian kings were crowned. The tower of St. Martin's Cathedral is 85m tall. Bratislava observation tower is “Kamzik”. Kamzik is TV Tower, which tall is 200m. Tower is the highest tower in the city. Kamzík TV Tower was built in 1975, it's 638m above see level and has an observation deck open for visitors and it has interesting design. On the lowest floor is Restaurant with great views over Bratislava (en.wikipedia.org). The main industrial branches in Bratislava are the petrochemical, chemical and food industry, wood and glass industry, printing industry, mechanical engineering and electro technical industry, which represent more than ¾ of the industrial potential of the Bratislava´s region. The export ability of the region is assured mainly by automotive production of co.Volkswagen Slovakia. There is also an important international road and railroad junction, Milan Rastislav Štefánik international airport, and a river port. Bratislava is the residence of the Slovak President, the seat of national, political, economical, social and scientific bodies and institution. It is the seat of the country's government and parliament. Bratislava houses the most important universities, art schools, secondary and primary schools. With the Slovak National Theater and the number of theaters of different kinds, concert and exhibition halls, cinemas, and various clubs it is the center of country's cultural life. So Bratislava is formal and function region (Silvanová, 65). Bratislava Region - Tomás Srnka
Nowadays, Bratislava became to be the most developed Region of Slovakia from economical, social, research and technical point of view. ADVANTAGES OF BRATISLAVA:
• the location on the border with Austria, Hungary, close to Czech Rep. • proximity to other important cities like Vienna-60 km, Budapest-200 km, Brno-150 km • the location on crossings of important international links - waterway, highway, airlines... • centre of banks, businesses • residence of the President, Parliament, Government and other institutions • centre of education and research-strong intellectual basis for future development • centre of sports (ohkbrno.cz)
The small Carpathian Wine Route In Bratislava region, there is formal region – The Small Carpathian Region created by people The wineyards are typical for this region. People of small towns in this region had the same idea and so they established The Carpathian Wine Trail. The Wine Trail connects former royal towns with viticultural tradition. The viticultural tradition and history are manifest in ancient monuments, folklore and culinary delights. There is also the rare wildlife and plantlife of the Small Carpathians, which are an ideal place for recreation. The Wine Trail leads from Bratislava through Svätý Jur, Pezinok to Modra and includes also the neighbouring communities bordering the Small Carpathians. Each town has some specific feature: Svätý Jur has a known nature reserve with lacustrine sediments and a Great Moravian fortress (10th century), in Pezinok there is a museum of viticulture, and Modra - the Pearl of the Small Carpathians - is known for its majolica. The visit may be tied with gourmet and wine-tasting (lexikon.sk). Svätý Jur It is my the best favourite region where I can spend my holiday. Sväty Jur is the first town on the route, just 14 km west of the capital. Seven hundred years ago, the town was the military hub of a dynasty of counts who ruled the region from the castle, Bielý Kameň. Over the next three centuries, Svätý Jur grew as an economic power as well, taking in money from wine and crafts until 1663, when the town was burned down by the invading Turks. The town center is picturesque and pure. Look for the vintners' houses with their high arched passageways designed to let loaded carts pull right up to backyard wine presses. Most houses still have wine cellars in their basements, and many local residents still produce their own wine, even if they buy the grapes from local farmers(lexikon.sk).
Conclusion Even Bratislava region is the smallest region in Slovakia, it's the most important of all regions. There is the capital city, seat of government, parliament, a lot of business and cultural institutions. Bratislava offers great opportunities for jobs, study, and cultural. Many students want to study in Bratislava, and after finishing the school they would like living there. Therefore urbanization is increasing and this region will be larger and more successful. In my opinion life in Bratislava region is exciting, interesting and beautiful :). Bratislava Region - Tomás Srnka
Bibliography (Works Cited page): Internet sources: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 3rd October 2005, 8 October 2005