District of central Europe, from 1960 two
regions of Czechoslovakia: South Moravia
(Czech Jihomoravsky) area 15,030 sq km/5,802
sq mi capital Brno population (1986)
2,075,000. North Moravia (Czech
Severomoravsky) area 11,070 sq km/4,273 sq mi
capital Ostrava population (1986) 1,957,000.
features (N and S) river Morava; 25% forested
products maize, grapes, wine in the south;
wheat, barley, rye, flax, sugarbeet in the
north; coal and iron history part of the Avar
territory since the 6th century; conquered by
Charlemagne's Holy Roman Empire. In 874 the
kingdom of Great Moravia was founded by the
Slavic prince Sviatopluk, who ruled until
894. It was conquered by the Magyars 906, and
became a fief of Bohemia 1029. It was passed
to the Habsburgs 1526, and became an Austrian
crown land 1849. It was incorporated in the
new republic of Czechoslovakia 1918, forming
a province until 1949.