Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship

?wi?tokrzyskie Voivodeship is one of the 16 voivodeships (provinces) in Poland, situated in the southeastern part of the country. It is named after the ?wi?tokrzyskie (Holy Cross) Mountains, which are located in its southern region. The voivodeship's capital and largest city is Kielce.

Geography

?wi?tokrzyskie Voivodeship covers an area of approximately 11,672 square kilometers, making it the seventh largest voivodeship in Poland. It is bordered by six other voivodeships: Mazowieckie to the north, Lublin to the east, Podkarpackie to the southeast, Ma?opolskie to the south, ?l?skie to the southwest, and ?ód? to the northwest.

History

The ?wi?tokrzyskie Voivodeship was established on January 1, 1999, as part of the local government reforms enacted in 1998. The reforms reorganized Poland's administrative division, replacing the 49 voivodeships that had been in place since 1975 with 16 new ones.

Economy

The economy of ?wi?tokrzyskie Voivodeship is diverse, with sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services contributing significantly to its GDP. The region is known for its rich mineral resources, including limestone, sand, and gravel, which support a thriving construction industry.

Culture

?wi?tokrzyskie Voivodeship is rich in cultural heritage, with numerous historical sites, museums, and festivals. The region is also known for its traditional Polish cuisine, featuring dishes such as pierogi, bigos, and kotlet schabowy.

See also

• List of cities and towns in Poland
• Voivodeships of Poland