Ostrava

Ostrava, city in the north-eastern Czech Republic, near the confluence of the Oder and Ostravice rivers, largest city and capital of the region of Severomoravský (North Moravia). It is a transport hub and a leading metallurgical centre. Situated in the Ostrava-Karviná coalfield, it is composed of Moravská Ostrava, Slezská Ostrava, and other new communities. It has iron- and steel-rolling mills, power stations, and rail workshops. Aluminium alloys, chemicals, drugs, synthetic gases, plastics, petroleum products, building materials, clothing, ceramics, furniture, and food products are all manufactured here. The State College of Mining and Metallurgy (1716) is here. Ostrava was founded in the late 13th century by the bishop of Olomouc as a protection against invaders from the north, and is the site of Wenceslaus Church (from the same period) and the 17th-century Old Town Hall. Population 316,744 (2003 estimate).