České Budějovice is the natural economic, financial and cultural centre of South Bohemia and is a county, district and municipal city. The city is home to a host of government offices, institutions, companies, industrial plants, banks, insurance companies, cultural centres and exhibition grounds.

České Budějovice is also an important centre of education, with dozens of junior and senior schools, colleges, and the South Bohemian University with its faculties of pedagogy, agriculture, biology, social work and theology. The Academy of Sciences also has its headquarters here.

As far as business and industry are concerned the city is closely linked with the brewing of Budvar and Samson beers. It is also known for the Koh-i- noor Hardmuth industrial plant.

Its advantage as far as the development of tourism is concerned is its location within the beautiful landscape of the romantic region of South Bohemia. České Budějovice is an important road and railway junction.

Since 1990 České Budějovice has enjoyed an economic upswing. Its favourable geographical location not far from the border with Austria, the newly opened borders, and the cultural and historical associations of the royal city attract visitors from around the world.

The IGY centre will perfectly complement what České Budějovice already has to offer by providing precisely that which České Budějovice as a modern city has so far lacked.