The first regions (
kraje) were created in the
Kingdom of Bohemia in the 14th century. At the beginning of the 15th century, Bohemia was already divided into 12 regions, but their borders were not fixed due to the frequent changes in the borders of the estates. During the reign of
George of Poděbrady (1458–1471), Bohemia was divided into 14 regions, which remained so until 1714, when their number was reduced to 12 again. From 1751 to 1850, after the four largest regions were divided, the kingdom consisted of 16 regions. Between 1850 and 1862, there were several reforms and the number of regions fluctuated between 7 and 13. Due to the parallel establishment of political districts in 1848, however, their importance declined. In 1862, the regions were abolished, although the regional authorities had some powers until 1868.
Moravia was divided into four regions in 1529. In 1569–1735, their number was five, then the number increased to six. After the introduction of the political districts in 1850, Moravia consisted of two regions. In 1855–1860, there were six regions, but in 1860 they were abolished. In 1960–1999, the Czech part of Czechoslovakia was divided into the Capital City of Prague and following 7 regions: • Central Bohemian Region () with the capital in
Prague • South Bohemian Region () with the capital in
České Budějovice • West Bohemian Region () with the capital in
Plzeň • North Bohemian Region () with the capital in
Ústí nad Labem • East Bohemian Region () with the capital in
Hradec Králové • South Moravian Region () with the capital in
Brno • North Moravian Region () with the capital in
Ostrava According to the Act no. 129/2000 Coll. ("Law on Regions"), which implements Chapter VII of the
Czech Constitution, the Czech Republic is divided into thirteen regions and one
capital city with regional status as of 1 January 2000. The capital city of Prague, which has simultaneously the status of a region and a
municipality, is treated by Act no. 131/2000 Coll. ("Law on Capital City of Prague"). ==Competences==