The Physico-Geographical Regions of the Czech Socialist Republic

Abstract

The authors present the theoretical base of delimitation of the natural territorial complexes on the territory of the Czech Socialist Republic and their practical application. The authors delimited natural homogeneous units in the scale 1: 500,000 of the C.S.R. The delimitation of the physico-geographical regions of the C.S.R. is based on three complex criteria, on genetic type of relief, climatic regions and biogeographical regions. These criteria give sufficiently a true picture of nature conditions of the C.S.R. according to the authors' opinion, especially horizontal dissection of the state territory and vertical zonality of geomorphological processes, relief forms, climate and potencial biota (so called geobiocenes). Considering that since Neolithic the aspect of the biota of the C.S.R. has been substantially changed by the human society the authors proceed from the potential geobiocenoses in the Atlantic. In the paper there are described main types of the natural territorial complexes on the territory of the C.S.R. The physico-geographical regionalization of the territory of the C.S.R. and delimitation of the natural territorial complexes have not only scientific but even direct practical significance. It enables to settle a number of natural regularities of the devolopment of the physico-geographical sphere differences in the features of the individual territories and to value natural resources of territory. Without a complex knowledge of the natural basis of the present-day cultural landscapes of the C.S.R. it is impossible to plan rationally the development of the national economy and especially to make right use of the territorial differentiation of the state territory.