Silesian Voivodeship

Silesian Voivodeship (also known as Silesia Province in English) is one of the 16 voivodeships (provinces) in Poland. It is located in the southern part of the country and is named after the historical region of Silesia. The voivodeship was established on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its capital and largest city is Katowice.

Geography

Silesian Voivodeship is bordered by Łódź Voivodeship to the north, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship to the north-east, Lesser Poland Voivodeship to the east, Slovakia to the south, Opole Voivodeship to the west, and Greater Poland Voivodeship and Lower Silesian Voivodeship to the north-west. It covers an area of 12,333 square kilometers, making it the second largest voivodeship in Poland after Masovian Voivodeship.

Economy

The economy of Silesian Voivodeship is diverse and well-developed. It is a major center for industry, especially coal mining, steel, and chemicals. The region is also known for its automotive industry, with factories of Fiat, Opel, and Isuzu located in the voivodeship. In recent years, the service sector has grown significantly, particularly in the fields of information technology and finance.

Culture

Silesian Voivodeship is rich in cultural heritage. It is home to numerous museums, theaters, and galleries, including the Silesian Museum in Katowice and the Gliwice Radio Tower, the tallest wooden structure in Europe. The region also has a unique culinary tradition, with dishes such as Silesian dumplings and Silesian rouladen being popular.

Education

The voivodeship has a strong educational infrastructure, with several universities and higher education institutions. These include the University of Silesia, Silesian University of Technology, and Medical University of Silesia.

See also

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