ABSTRACT
As a result of their virtuosic cultural and economic vigour over many centuries and their strategic location at the true heart of Europe, Bohemia and Moravia have had an importance in European history out of all proportion to their size. Moreover, with their relatively diverse natural resources, temperate climate, verdant vegetation and hospitable terrain, virtually encircled by a protective ring of ore-bearing mountains, the Czech Lands have been inhabited for about 200,000 years. Major settlements can be traced back to about 70,000 BC, and the smelting of local metal ores (beginning with copper) dates from before 2000 BC.
