Ústí nad Labem is a city in the northwest of the Czech Republic, serving as the capital of the Ústí nad Labem Region. It lies at the confluence of the Elbe and Bílina rivers, situated approximately 65 kilometres north of Prague and 45 km south of Dresden. The urban area extends into the Most Basin and the České středohoří Protected Landscape Area, with its highest point being Široký vrch at 659 meters above sea level.

Founded in the 12th century, the city became a royal town in 1249 after King Ottokar II invited German settlers. Its importance grew significantly during industrialisation in the 19th century, transforming it into a major chemical and manufacturing hub. The city suffered severe damage during World War II, including bombing in April 1945 that destroyed its historic centre, followed by the expulsion of its German-speaking population.

The city is defined by landmarks such as Střekov Castle, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with a leaning tower, and the Mariánský Bridge. It forms part of the Ústí nad Labem-Chomutov agglomeration and features the Matiční Street Wall, which briefly separated communities in 1999 before being torn down. The city also includes half of Lake Milada within its municipal territory.

Ústí nad Labem is a natural regional centre of education, home to the Jan Evangelista Purkyně University and the Ústí nad Labem Zoo. It serves as a starting point for hiking in the surrounding countryside and offers cultural sites like the Chateau Velké Březno. The city retains a tradition in the chemical industry and hosts events reflecting its complex history, including commemorations of the 1945 massacre.

The population is 90,866 as of 2025. As an economic centre, it hosts major employers like Spolek pro chemickou a hutní výroba and Strabag Rail. It is an important railway junction and active river port on the Elbe, with direct connections to Berlin and Budapest. The D8 motorway provides road access from Prague, while the closest international airports are in Prague and Dresden.