Silesian Voivodship

Silesia or Silesian Voivodship(1) is an administrative region and local government unit in Poland, established in 1999 out of Katowice, Czętochowa and Bielsko-Biała voivodships as a result of Local Government Reorganisation Act of 1998 (effective 1 January 1999).

Geography

The Silesian voivodship lies in the south of Poland and is bordered by the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Silesian Upland (Wyzyna Śląska) is situated in the central and the north western part, with the hills of the Krakowsko-Częstochowska Upland (Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska) in the northeastern area. The southern border is formed by the scenic Beskidy Mountains (Beskid Śląski and Beskid Żywiecki). Strong links of the present Silesian voivodship (comprising area known as the Upper Silesia) with the Opole and Lower Silesian Voivodships is justified and motivated by historical identity of the Duchy of Silesia (Ksiestwo Śląskie) divided in the 13th century into the Upper and Lower Silesia.

Administrative division

Będzin County, Będzin
Bielsko-Biała County, Bielsko-Biała
Bielsko-Biała City County
Bieruń-Lędziny County, Bieruń (former Tychy County)
Bytom City County
Chorzów City County
Cieszyn County, Cieszyn
Czętochowa City County
Czętochowa County, Czętochowa
Dąbrowa Górnicza City County
Gliwice City County
Gliwice County, Gliwice
Jastrzębie Zdrój City County
Jaworzno City County
Katowice City County
Kłobuck County, Kłobuck
Lubliniec County, Lubliniec
Mikołów County, Mikołów
Mysłowice City County
Myszków County, Myszków
Piekary Śląskie City County
Pszczyna County, Pszczyna
Racibórz Conty, Racibórz
Ruda Ślaska City County
Rybnik County, Rybnik
Rybnik City County
Siemanowice Ślaskie City County
Sosnowiec City County
Świetochlowice City County
Tarnowskie Gory County, Tarnowskie Gory
Tychy City County
Wodzisław County, Wodzisław Śląski
Zabrze City County
Zawiercie County, Zawiercie
Zory City County
Żywiec County, Żywiec
Population

The Silesian voivodship has the highest population density in the country (398 people, as compared to the national average of 124 people, per square kilometer). The region's considerable industrialisation contributes to the lowest national unemployment rate of 6.2%. The Silesian region is the most industrialised, but also considered the greatest environmental hazard among all Polish voivodships (acid rains and mining damage). It is also the most urbanised region and that is why it has the largest number of towns with county status. Katowice airport is used for domestic and international
flights and the Silesian agglomeration railway network has the largest concentration in the country. The voivodship capital enjoys good railway and road connections with Cracow (highway), Wrocław, Łódź and Warsaw. It is also the crossing point for many international routes like the one connecting Berlin, Dresden, Wroclaw, Cracow and Kyiv and the other from Gdansk to the Balkans. A relatively short distance to Vienna facilitates cross-border co-operation and may positively influence the process of European integration.

Most popular surnames in the region

1. Nowak : 31,838
2. Kowalski : 11,811
3. Wójcik : 11,440
Economy

The Silesian voivodship is predominantly an industrial region. Most of the
mining is derived from one of the world's largest bituminous coalfields of the Upper Silesian Industrial District (Gornoslaski Okreg Przemyslowy) and the Rybnik Coal District (Rybnicki Okreg Weglowy) with its major cities Rybnik, Jastrzębie Zdrój, Zory and Wodzisław Śląski. Lead and zinc can be found near Bytom, Zawiercie and Tarnowskie Gory; iron ore and raw materials for building - near Częstochowa. The most important regional industries are: mining, iron, lead and zinc metallurgy, power industry, engineering, automobile, chemical, building materials and textile. In the past, the Silesian economy was determined by coal mining. Now, considering the investment volume, car manufacturing is becoming more and more important. The most profitable company in the region is Fiat Auto-Poland S.A. in Bielsko-Biała with a revenue of PLN 6,2 billion in 1997. Recently a new car factory has been opened by GM Opel in Gliwice. There are two Special Economic Zones in the area: Katowice and Częstochowa. The voivodship's economy consists of about 323,000, mostly small and medium-sized, enterprises employing over 3 million people. The mining industry is the most distinctive employer in the region. 160 mining companies employ almost 558,000 employees. 97.5% of all firms operating in the region belong to the private sector. The greatest challenge facing Silesia is to restructure the area with the largest in Poland concentration of traditional industries and transform it into a modern, multifunctional region competitive under the market economy conditions. The biggest Polish steel-works "Huta Katowice" is situated in Dąbrowa Górnicza
Universities

There are eleven public universities in the voivodship. The biggest university is the Silesian University in Katowice, with 37,000 students. The region's capital boasts the Medical Academy, the Economic Academy, the Musical Academy, the Physical Education Academy and a branch of the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts. Częstochowa is the seat of the Częstochowa Technical University and Pedagogic University. The Silesian Technical University in Gliwice is nationally renowned. Bielsko-Biała is home to a branch of the Łódź Technical University. In addition, 17 new private schools have been established in the region.

Tourism

Both northern and southern Silesia is surrounded by a pollution-free green
belt. Bielsko-Biala is enveloped by the magnificent Beskidy Mountains which are particularly popular with winter sports fans. This genuine skier's paradise offers over 150 ski lifts and 200 kilometres of ski routes. More and more slopes are illuminated and equipped with artificial snow generators. Szczyrk, Brenna, Wisła and Ustroń are the most popular winter mountain resorts. Rock climbing sites can be found in admirable corners of Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska. The ruins of castles forming the trail of Eagle Nests are a famous attraction of the region. While in Silesia, one cannot miss the Black Madonna's Jasna Góra Sanctuary in Częstochowa - the annual destination of over 4 million pilgrims from all over the world.