Kladno

Kladno (Czech pronunciation: [ˈkladno]; German: Kladen) is a city in the Central Bohemian Region (Středočeský kraj) of the Czech Republic. It is located 25 kilometres (16 miles) northwest of the capital city Prague. Kladno is the largest city in the region and has a population together with its adjacent suburban areas of more than 110,000 (nearly 70,000 in Kladno proper). The city is part of the Prague metropolitan area, which has a population over 2,600,000 (making it the most populous in the Czech Republic).

For other places with the same name, see Kladno (disambiguation).

Kladno
Statutory City
Kladno City Hall
Flag
Coat of arms
Kladno
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°9′N 14°6′E
Country Czech Republic
RegionCentral Bohemian
DistrictKladno
First mentioned14th century
Government
 • MayorDan Jiránek (ODS)
Area
 • Total36.97 km2 (14.27 sq mi)
Elevation
381 m (1,250 ft)
Population
 (2019-01-01[1])
 • Total69,054
 • Density1,900/km2 (4,800/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
272 01
Websitewww.mestokladno.cz

History
Chapel of Saint Florian in the pedestrian zone

The first written evidence of Kladno dates back to the 14th century. In 1561 the city rights were secured. Until 1918, the town was part of the Austrian monarchy (Austrian side after the compromise of 1867), head of the Kladno district, one of the 94 Bezirkshauptmannschaften in Bohemia.[2]

Economy

Kladno was the historical birthplace of heavy industry in Bohemia. For years, the town was home to the Poldi steel factory, the region's largest employer. The factory still stands but has been divided into smaller entities after privatisation and changes in ownership. The mining industry began here in 1842. A post-office was opened in 1863.[3] The proximity to Prague helped to keep the local economy stable in spite of the heavy industrial decline after the collapse of the communist regime. A series of Western European companies has established production in Kladno, including LEGO, Dr. Oetker, NKT Cables and Quickstep Laminate Floors.

Notable natives

Twin towns – sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic

Kladno is twinned with:[5]

References
  1. "Population of municipalities of the Czech republic". Czech Statistical Office. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  2. Die postalischen Abstempelungen auf den österreichischen Postwertzeichen-Ausgaben 1867, 1883 und 1890, Wilhelm KLEIN, 1967
  3. Handbook of Austria and Lombardy-Venetia Cancellations on the Postage Stamp Issues 1850-1864, by Edwin MUELLER, 1961
  4. "Biography of Mayor Anton J. Cermak". Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  5. "Partnerská města Kladna" (in Czech). Statutární město Kladno. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
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