The Zlín Region is one of the administrative regions (kraj) of the Czech Republic, located in the eastern part of the historical land of Moravia. The region is centred on its capital, the city commonly referred to as the regional capital — Zlín — a city long associated with industrial design and 20th‑century urban planning.
Geography and administrative structure
Zlín Region lies along the border with Slovakia and contains a varied landscape: lowland river valleys, rolling highlands and several protected ridges. It is divided into four districts that administer local municipalities and services.
- Zlín District
- Kroměříž District
- Uherské Hradiště District
- Vsetín District
History and urban development
The region's modern character was shaped in the 19th and 20th centuries by industry and entrepreneurship, most famously the Bata shoe company, which influenced Zlín's architecture, housing and civic layout. Older layers of history survive in market towns, castles and church complexes that predate industrial expansion.
Economy, culture and landmarks
The regional economy mixes light and heavy industry, engineering, food processing and services. Zlín is noted for functionalist buildings and planned neighborhoods linked to its industrial past. Cultural institutions include regional museums, festivals and a well‑known international film festival for children and youth held in Zlín.
Tourism and natural areas
Visitors are drawn to cultural sites and the surrounding countryside. Notable attractions include the baroque and garden ensemble at Kroměříž, historic castles and hiking routes in the local highlands. Protected landscapes and local folk traditions also contribute to the region's appeal.
Transport and notable facts
The Zlín Region is connected by regional rail and road networks that link it to larger Czech cities and neighbouring Slovakia. Its mixture of industrial heritage, natural scenery and preserved historical towns makes it a distinctive part of the Czech Republic's regional mosaic.