Maps and explanatory notes

The Czech Geological Survey conducts regional geological research linked with mapping, which serves as a basis for compiling and publishing a wide range of geological and thematic geoscience maps. All collected and generated data are stored in scientific databases and provided digitally to the public via web services, map applications or as data.

Explanatory notes are provided as appendices to the regional geological base map of the Czech Republic at 1:25,000 scale and to geological and environmental maps at 1:50,000 scale.

Printed maps and explanatory notes produced by the CGS may be purchased in the CGS Geological Bookstore and CGS eShop.

We offer geological and applied maps at scales of 1:500,000, 1:200,000, 1:50,000 and 1:25,000. We also sell geotourism maps of various regions - protected landscape areas of the Czech Republic and applied geoscience maps. We also offer maps produced as outputs of international projects.

Out-of-print maps and explanatory notes are available in the collections of the CGS Archive, and their previews can be viewed online in the Digital Map Archive application.

Nationwide thematic maps

Thematic maps were compiled at scales of 1:500,000 or 1:1,000,000 and cover the entire Czech Republic. Some older maps also include the territory of Slovakia. The most important map in this collection is the Geological Map of the Czech Republic at 1:500,000 scale, which is the result of many years of effort by our leading geologists to depict the geological structure of the Czech Republic‘s territory as faithfully as possible. The map is intended not only for geologists, but it is also used, for instance, to teach geology and is appreciated by the general well-informed public as well.

Maps and explanatory notes at 1:200,000 scale

The series of geological maps at 1:200,000 scale is a unique geological mapping output and covers the entire Czech Republic. In addition to geological maps, we offer hydrogeological and groundwater chemistry maps at this scale as well.

Detailed explanatory notes, which describe the natural conditions and geology of specific areas and which are now available in the Digital Map Archive, were published for the hydrogeological map at 1:200,000 scale as well.

Maps at 1:100,000 scale

The published maps cover the entire Czech Republic and depict all types and categories of protected areas in the Czech Republic, which preserve significant elements of our nature and which have been established thus far. Map previews are available in the Digital Map Archive application.

Maps and explanatory notes at 1:50,000 scale

The Czech Geological Survey became the world’s first geological survey to complete geological and thematic maps at a scale of 1:50,000 for its entire territory. The collection includes 1,651 maps and was completed in the late 1990s.

Explanatory notes and instructions for using the maps were published for the map sheets of this edition as well. The explanatory notes provide detailed information on geology as well as other derived disciplines such as hydrogeology, economic geology, and so forth. The explanatory notes are available only in the CGS Archive collection. The instructions for using the maps contain detailed information on the themes of individual maps and their composition, including an explanation of terms used in map legends. The instructions are only available in the CGS Archive collection as well.

Thematic map categories 1:50,000 in the CGS eShop

Maps and explanatory notes at 1:25,000 scale

The 1:25,000 scale maps are the most detailed geological maps produced by the CGS.

Geological mapping at this level of detail is still ongoing. Mapping is being conducted in areas that are primarily requested by state authorities. The priority areas mainly include urban and industrial agglomerations and extensive protected areas, or areas selected due to the need for studying the geological structure of the Czech Republic‘s territory and due to the need for more detailed geological maps for the purposes of the state geological survey. Complete sets of geological maps with explanatory notes have been published since 2004. Information obtained during geological mapping is stored in the comprehensive GEOČR 25 Geographical Information System and made available through the Geoscience Maps at 1:25,000 Scale application.

The compilation of other 1:25,000 scale thematic maps has already ended, and only areas that were focused on by projects during which maps were produced are being processed. These geological maps include bedrock maps, maps of deposits and prognostic resources, maps of environmental geofactors, and engineering geology maps. All these maps are available in the CGS Map Archive and some also in printed form in the eshop.

Explanatory notes to these 1:25,000 scale thematic maps were issued only for some map sheets. These are brochures, which provide detailed information on areas defined wuth regard to geology and also other derived disciplines such as hydrogeology, economic geology, and so forth. Explanatory notes are available in the CGS Map Archive.

Thematic map categories 1:25,000 in the CGS eShop

Regional geological maps

The CGS offers a series of geological maps for tourists. The maps at various scales are accompanied on the reverse side with a description of geosites located in a given area. These are geological maps of individual areas of the Czech Republic, for instance, the Orlické hory Mts, České Středohoří Mts, Brno, Prague or Křivoklát region.

Foreign geological maps

Foreign geological maps were produced during the Czech Republic‘s Foreign Development Cooperation, which is implemented by the CGS under the Ministry of the Environment. The aim of foreign development cooperation is in line with the efforts of the international community to help reduce poverty in less developed parts of the world and is implemented through development projects, humanitarian aid, aid to refugees, debt relief for the poorest countries, and financial contributions to the development agenda of international organizations. The CGS is mainly engaged in geological mapping and geological research involving exploration for indications of mineral resources, in economic geology surveys and in geohazard assessments.