The Ore mountains have centuries old mining history which has built a very unique and picturesque local culture. The are was at one time a huge silver mining area, the word "dollar" originates from a currency called "tolar" which was first produced in a local town called Jáchymov. Tin, iron and coal were other important parts, again showing the rest of the world the way, often issueing the first mining laws. During the 20th century uranium was mined here, unfortunatelly largely by political prisoners which have brought the darker part of the local history. Today, there is a talk about the highly demanded lithium.