town, north-central Czech Republic. Located northwest of Prague, the national capital, Slaný lies in the slightly hilly country west of the Vltava (Moldau) River valley, in an area that grows barley, wheat, hops, sugar beets, and corn (maize) and raises chickens and pigs. During the 1970s bituminous-coal deposits were found in the area around and northeast of the town in seams located 2,625 to 4,265 feet (800 to 1,300 m) below ground. Slaný manufactures machinery and electronics equipment. It is linked by railroad to Most and to the Prague-Chomutov line and is a highway junction. Pop. (2004 est.) 15,070.