Opava

Opavais a city in the northernCzech Republicon the riverOpava, located to the north-west ofOstrava. The historical capital ofCzech Silesia, Opava is now in theMoravian-Silesian Regionand has a population of 59,843 as of January 1, 2005. The cityis currently an important business and cultural center of Opavian Silesia.It is the location of several economic and cultural institutions serving the entire region, including theSilesian Museumwhich is the oldest Museum in theCzech Republic,and the Silesian Institute of the Academy of Science. Opava is home to the onlypublic universityin the country not situated in a regional capital, theSilesian University (Opava). The city is part of a congested industrial area along withOstravaand produces mining equipment. Opava also awards its own Cultural Prize.