Okres (Czech and Slovak term meaning "district" in English; from German Kreis - circle (or perimeter)) refers to administrative entities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It is similar to Landkreis in Germany or "okrug" and "okrestnost’ " in other Slavic-speaking countries.

The first districts in the Czech lands developed from domains in 1850 by the decision of the Imperial government of Austria. In the territory of present-day Slovakia their predecessors were districts of the counties of the Kingdom of Hungary ( in Slovak). The organisation and functions of the districts were different in the Czech lands and Hungary. After the creation of Czechoslovakia districts became an administrative unit of the new state with a unified status. After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993, the district system was taken over by the two current successor states.

Equivalents

  • Okręg
  • Okrug
  • Okruha

See also

  • Districts of Slovakia (okres)
  • Districts of the Czech Republic (okres)
  • Powiat
  • Raion

Upper-level division

  • Kraj
  • Krai
  • Kreis
  • Regions of Slovakia (kraj)
  • Regions of the Czech Republic (kraj)

Lower-level division

  • Obec (subdivisions of an okres)
  • Map: location of every okres in the Czech Republic