Katowice

Katowice is the capital of the administrative and local government region called Silesian Voivodship since 1999, and previously capital of Katowice Voivodship. Katowice is the main city of the Upper Silesian Industrial Area. Population 354,000 inhabitants (1999), with an metro area population of 3,487,000 inhabitants (2001).

History

The area around Katowice, Upper Silesia, was inhabited by ethnic Poles since the 10th century. It was ruled by the Silesian Piasts dynasty until the partitions of Poland in 1795. The city itself was founded in the 19th century, a period while the area was under Prussian rule, and Katowice gained city status in 1865. Mainly inhabited by Poles, Katowice became part of the Second Polish Republic following the Silesian Uprisings throughout the Silesian region between 1918 and 1921.

The city flourished due to large mineral (especially coal) deposits in the nearby mountains. Extensive city growth and prosperity depended on coal mining and steel industries, which took off during the Industrial Revolution. But recently, due to economic reforms there is a shift away from heavy industry, and towards smaller businesses.

Severe ecological damage to the natural environment occurred during the post-Second World War time of communist governance in the People's Republic of Poland, but recent changes in regulations, procedures and policies of post-communist Polish government have reversed much of the harm that was done.
During 1953–1956 Katowice was named Stalinogród, which was an homage to
the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, given by the totalitarian, communist authorities of Poland.

Modern landmarks