Lower Silesian Voivodeship

Lower Silesian Voivodeship, or Lower Silesia Province (in Polish

Polish language

Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...

, województwo dolnośląskie w), is one of the 16 voivodeships

Voivodeships of Poland

The voivodeship, or province, called in Polish województwo , has been a high-level administrative subdivision of Poland since the 14th century....

 (province

Province

A province is a territorial unit, almost always an administrative division, within a country or state.-Etymology:The English word "province" is attested since about 1330 and derives from the 13th-century Old French "province," which itself comes from the Latin word "provincia," which referred to...

s) into which Poland

Poland

Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...

 is currently divided. It lies in southwestern Poland. Its capital and largest city is Wrocław, on the middle Odra (Oder) river.

History and Geography

The voivodeship was created on 1 January 1999 out of the former Wrocław, Legnica

Legnica Voivodeship

Legnica Voivodeship was a unit of administrative division and local government in Poland in the years 1975–1998, superseded by Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Its capital city was Legnica.-Major cities and towns :* Legnica...

, Wałbrzych and Jelenia Góra

Jelenia Góra Voivodeship

Jelenia Gora Voivodeship was a unit of administrative division and local government in Poland in the years 1975–1998, superseded by the Lower Silesian Voivodeship...

 Voivodeships, pursuant to the Polish local government reforms adopted in 1998. It covers an area of 19946 square kilometres (7,701 sq mi), and as at 2006 has a total population of 2,884,248, comprising an urban population of 2,047,151 and rural population of 837,097.

Although much of the region is relatively low-lying it also includes part of the Sudetes mountain range running along the Polish/Czech

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....

 border. Popular ski

Skiing

Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....

 resorts in Lower Silesian Voivodeship include Karpacz

Karpacz

Karpacz is a spa town and ski resort in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland, and one of the most important centres for mountain hiking and skiing, including ski jumping. Its population is about 5,000...

 and Szklarska Poręba

Szklarska Poreba

Szklarska Poręba is a town in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. The town has a population of around 7,000...

 in the Karkonosze

Karkonosze

Krkonoše is a mountain range located in the north of the Czech Republic and the south-west of Poland, part of the Sudetes mountain system . The Czech-Polish border, which divides the historic regions of Bohemia and Silesia, runs along the main ridge...

 mountains. The town of Kudowa Zdrój, also in the Sudetes (west of Kłodzko near the Czech border), is a traditional spa town

Spa town

A spa town is a town situated around a mineral spa . Patrons resorted to spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits. The word comes from the Belgian town Spa. In continental Europe a spa was known as a ville d'eau...

 often visited by heart patients. Other important tourist destinations in the voivodeship include the chief city, Wrocław, as well as the towns of Jelenia Góra

Jelenia Góra

----Jelenia Góra is a city in Lower Silesia, south-western Poland. The name of the city means "deer mountain" in Polish, Czech and German. It is close to the Krkonoše mountain range running along the Polish-Czech border – ski resorts such as Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba can be found...

 and Legnica

Legnica

Legnica is a town in south-western Poland, in Silesia, in the central part of Lower Silesia, on the plain of Legnica, riverside: Kaczawa and Czarna Woda. Between 1 June 1975 and 31 December 1998 Legnica was the capital of the Legnica Voivodeship. It is currently the seat of the county...

. The town of Boleslawiec

Boleslawiec

Bolesławiec is a town on the Bóbr river in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship in southwestern Poland with 40,837 inhabitants . It is the administrative seat of Bolesławiec County, and of Gmina Bolesławiec...

 is famed for its pottery

Boleslawiec Pottery

Bolesławiec pottery is the collective term for pottery produced in Bolesławiec, Poland.Boleslawiec Pottery is also known as Polish Pottery or Polish Stoneware.-Overview:...

.

Lower Silesian Voivodeship is bordered by Lubusz Voivodeship

Lubusz Voivodeship

- Administrative division :Lubusz Voivodeship is divided into 14 counties : 2 city counties and 12 land counties. These are further divided into 83 gminas....

 to the north-west, Greater Poland Voivodeship

Greater Poland Voivodeship

Wielkopolska Voivodeship , or Greater Poland Voivodeship, is a voivodeship, or province, in west-central Poland. It was created on 1 January 1999 out of the former Poznań, Kalisz, Konin, Piła and Leszno Voivodeships, pursuant to the Polish local government reforms adopted in 1998...

 to the north-east, Opole Voivodeship

Opole Voivodeship

- Administrative division :Opole Voivodeship is divided into 12 counties : 1 city county and 11 land counties. These are further divided into 71 gminas.The counties are listed in the following table .- Economy :...

 to the south-east, the Czech Republic

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....

 to the south, and Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

, (Federal-State of Saxony) to the west.

Economy

Lower Silesia is one of the richest regions in Poland. GDP per capita in 2007 accounted for 108.7% of the average for the country. GDP per capita in the region is similar to the GDP in the poorest regions of Spain, Greece and Portugal, and slightly lower than the poorest regions of Italy. Since 2005, the voivodeship recorded the highest in the country economic growth rate (around 10% per annum).

GDP per capita in Lower Silesia Voivodeship: GDP in Poland:

GDP per capita in Lower Silesian Voivodeship and Poland

Lower Silesian Voivodeship	GDP per capita	Poland	GDP per capita
2000	10 440$ (+2.8%)	2000	10 140$ (+4.0%)
2005	13 060$ (+4.9%)	2005	12 600$ (+3.5%)
2006	13 700$ (+7.3%)	2006	13 020$ (+6.2%)
2007	14 980$ (+9.5%)	2007	13 760$ (+6.5%)
2008	16 030$ (+7.2%)	2008	14 450$ (+5.0%)
2009	16 350$ (+2.0%)	2009	14 720$ (+1.9%)

Cities and towns

The voivodeship contains 91 cities and towns. These are listed below in descending order of population (according to official figures for 2006 ):

Administrative division

Lower Silesian Voivodeship is divided into 29 counties (powiat

Powiat

A powiat is the second-level unit of local government and administration in Poland, equivalent to a county, district or prefecture in other countries. The term powiat is most often translated into English as "county", although other terms are also sometimes used...

s), three of which are urban, and the rest rural. These are further divided into 169 gmina

Gmina

The gmina is the principal unit of administrative division of Poland at its lowest uniform level. It is often translated as "commune" or "municipality." As of 2010 there were 2,479 gminas throughout the country...

s.

The counties are listed in the following table (ordering within categories is by decreasing population).

English and Polish names	Area (km²)	Population (2006)	Seat	Other towns	Total gmina Gmina The gmina is the principal unit of administrative division of Poland at its lowest uniform level. It is often translated as "commune" or "municipality." As of 2010 there were 2,479 gminas throughout the country... s
City counties
Wrocław	293	635,280			1
Legnica Legnica Legnica is a town in south-western Poland, in Silesia, in the central part of Lower Silesia, on the plain of Legnica, riverside: Kaczawa and Czarna Woda. Between 1 June 1975 and 31 December 1998 Legnica was the capital of the Legnica Voivodeship. It is currently the seat of the county...	56	105,485			1
Jelenia Góra Jelenia Góra ----Jelenia Góra is a city in Lower Silesia, south-western Poland. The name of the city means "deer mountain" in Polish, Czech and German. It is close to the Krkonoše mountain range running along the Polish-Czech border – ski resorts such as Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba can be found...	109	86,663			1
Land counties
Wałbrzych County powiat wałbrzyski	514	184,594	Wałbrzych	Boguszów-Gorce Boguszów-Gorce Boguszów-Gorce is a town in Wałbrzych County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany.... , Głuszyca, Szczawno-Zdrój Szczawno-Zdrój Szczawno-Zdrój is a spa town in Wałbrzych County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany.... , Jedlina-Zdrój Jedlina-Zdrój Jedlina-Zdrój is a town in Wałbrzych County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany.... , Mieroszów Mieroszów Mieroszów is a town in Wałbrzych County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland, near the border with the Czech Republic. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Mieroszów. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...	9
Kłodzko County powiat kłodzki	1,643	166,447	Kłodzko	Nowa Ruda Nowa Ruda Nowa Ruda is a town in south-western Poland near the Czech border, lying on the Włodzica river in the central Sudetes mountains. As of 2007 it has 25,240 inhabitants. The town is located in Kłodzko County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship... , Bystrzyca Kłodzka, Kudowa-Zdrój Kudowa-Zdrój Kudowa-Zdrój is a town situated in the foothills of the Stołowe Mountains in the southwestern part of Poland, in Kłodzko County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, about 400 m above sea level. It has a population of about 10,000... , Polanica-Zdrój, Stronie Śląskie Stronie Slaskie Stronie Śląskie is a town in Kłodzko County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Stronie Śląskie, close to the Czech border... , Lądek-Zdrój Ladek-Zdrój Lądek-Zdrój is a town in Kłodzko County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Lądek-Zdrój, close to the Czech border.... , Szczytna Szczytna Szczytna is a town in Kłodzko County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Szczytna, close to the Czech border. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany.... , Duszniki-Zdrój Duszniki-Zdrój Duszniki-Zdrój is a spa town in the Klodzko Valley on the Bystrzyca River in Kłodzko County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland. It is a notable spa town and a major tourist attraction of the area.-Economy:... , Międzylesie Miedzylesie Międzylesie is a town in Kłodzko County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Międzylesie, close to the Czech border. Prior to 1945 it was part of Germany.... , Radków Radków Radków is a town in Kłodzko County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Radków, close to the Czech border. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany....	14
Świdnica County Swidnica County Świdnica County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat świdnicki	743	160,337	Świdnica Swidnica Świdnica is a city in south-western Poland in the region of Silesia. It has a population of 60,317 according to 2006 figures. It lies in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, being the seventh largest town in that voivodeship. From 1975–98 it was in the former Wałbrzych Voivodeship...	Świebodzice Swiebodzice Świebodzice is a town in south-western Poland with 23,126 inhabitants . It is situated in Świdnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship .... , Strzegom Strzegom Strzegom is a town in Świdnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Strzegom. It lies approximately north-west of Świdnica, and west of the regional capital Wrocław... , Żarów Zarów Żarów is a town in Świdnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Żarów. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany... , Jaworzyna Śląska Jaworzyna Slaska Jaworzyna Śląska is a town in Świdnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Jaworzyna Śląska. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany. The town lies approximately north of Świdnica, and south-west of the regional...	8
Lubin County Lubin County Lubin County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat lubiński	712	105,582	Lubin Lubin Lubin is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. From 1975–1998 it belonged to the former Legnica Voivodeship. Lubin is the administrative seat of Lubin County, and also of the rural district called Gmina Lubin, although it is not part of the territory of the latter,...	Ścinawa Scinawa Ścinawa is a town and municipality on the Oder river in the Lower Silesian region of Poland. The town features a number of historic monuments including city hall and the town church . The Ścinawa train station is a key gateway for travel throughout the region, connecting major destinations such...	4
Dzierżoniów County Dzierzoniów County Dzierżoniów County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its administrative seat is the town of Dzierżoniów, and it... powiat dzierżoniowski	478	104,852	Dzierżoniów Dzierzoniów Dzierżoniów is a town in southwestern Poland. It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship...	Bielawa Bielawa Bielawa is a town in south-western Poland with 31,988 inhabitants . It is situated in Dzierżoniów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship ; previously it has been a part of the Wałbrzych Voivodeship .... , Pieszyce Pieszyce Pieszyce is a town in Dzierżoniów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany.It lies approximately east of Dzierżoniów, and south-west of the regional capital Wrocław.... , Piława Górna, Niemcza Niemcza Niemcza is a town in Dzierżoniów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Niemcza....	7
Oleśnica County Olesnica County Oleśnica County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It was created on January 1, 1999 as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat oleśnicki	1,049	103,366	Oleśnica Olesnica Oleśnica is a town in the Trzebnickie Hills in southwestern Poland with 36,951 inhabitants . It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship...	Syców Syców Syców is a town in Oleśnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Syców.... , Twardogóra Twardogóra Twardogóra is a town in Oleśnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Twardogóra. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany. On 23 January 1945 the town was taken by the Red Army and later the same year became a part of... , Bierutów Bierutów Bierutów is a town in Oleśnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Bierutów. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany... , Międzybórz Miedzybórz Międzybórz may refer to the following places in Poland:*Międzybórz, also known as Międzybórz Sycowski, town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship *Międzybórz, Greater Poland Voivodeship...	8
Wrocław County powiat wrocławski	1,116	101,913	Wrocław *	Sobótka Sobótka Sobótka is a town in Wrocław County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Sobótka. Sobótka is located about southwest of Wrocław on the northern slope of Mount Ślęża, part of the Central Sudetes mountain range... , Kąty Wrocławskie, Siechnice Siechnice Siechnice is a town in Wrocław County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland...	9
Zgorzelec County Zgorzelec County Zgorzelec County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. It is situated in the extreme south-west of Poland, bordering both Germany... powiat zgorzelecki	838	94,408	Zgorzelec Zgorzelec Zgorzelec is a town in south-western Poland with 33,278 inhabitants . It lies in Lower Silesian Voivodeship . It is the seat of Zgorzelec County, and also of the smaller district of Gmina Zgorzelec...	Bogatynia Bogatynia Bogatynia is a town in Zgorzelec County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland, close to the tripoint of the Czech, German and Polish borders. The town lies approximately south of Zgorzelec, and west of the regional capital Wrocław. As of 2006 it had 19,068 inhabitants.The... , Pieńsk Piensk Pieńsk is a town in Zgorzelec County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Pieńsk, and stands on the east bank of the Lusatian Neisse river, which forms the border between Poland and Germany... , Zawidów Zawidów Zawidów is a town in Zgorzelec County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland, close to the Czech border. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany... , Węgliniec Wegliniec Węgliniec is a town in Zgorzelec County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Węgliniec...	7
Bolesławiec County powiat bolesławiecki	1,303	88,343	Bolesławiec	Nowogrodziec Nowogrodziec Nowogrodziec is a town in Bolesławiec County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Nowogrodziec...	6
Głogów County powiat głogowski	443	87,651	Głogów		6
Trzebnica County Trzebnica County Trzebnica County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat trzebnicki	1,026	77,285	Trzebnica Trzebnica Trzebnica is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. It is the seat of Trzebnica County, and of the smaller administrative district called Gmina Trzebnica. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...	Oborniki Śląskie Oborniki Slaskie Oborniki Śląskie is a town in southwestern Poland. It is located in the northeastern part of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship and is part of Trzebnica County... , Żmigród Zmigród Żmigród is a town in Trzebnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Żmigród. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany... , Prusice Prusice Prusice is a town in Trzebnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Prusice. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...	6
Oława County powiat oławski	524	71,118	Oława	Jelcz-Laskowice Jelcz-Laskowice Jelcz-Laskowice is a town in Oława County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Jelcz-Laskowice. It lies on the Odra river, approximately north of Oława, and south-east of the regional capital Wrocław...	4
Ząbkowice Śląskie County Zabkowice Slaskie County Ząbkowice Śląskie County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat ząbkowicki	801	69,297	Ząbkowice Śląskie Zabkowice Slaskie Ząbkowice Śląskie is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. It is the seat of Ząbkowice Śląskie County, and of the smaller administrative district called Gmina Ząbkowice Śląskie....	Ziębice Ziebice Ziębice is a town in Ząbkowice Śląskie County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Ziębice. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany... , Złoty Stok, Bardo Bardo, Poland Bardo is a town in Ząbkowice Śląskie County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Bardo....	7
Jelenia Góra County Jelenia Góra County Jelenia Góra County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998.... powiat jeleniogórski	628	63,817	Jelenia Góra Jelenia Góra ----Jelenia Góra is a city in Lower Silesia, south-western Poland. The name of the city means "deer mountain" in Polish, Czech and German. It is close to the Krkonoše mountain range running along the Polish-Czech border – ski resorts such as Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba can be found...  *	Kowary Kowary Kowary is a town in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland.It lies approximately south-east of Jelenia Góra, and south-west of the regional capital Wrocław.-History:... , Szklarska Poręba Szklarska Poreba Szklarska Poręba is a town in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. The town has a population of around 7,000... , Piechowice Piechowice Piechowice is a town in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany.It lies approximately south-west of Jelenia Góra, and west of the regional capital Wrocław.... , Karpacz Karpacz Karpacz is a spa town and ski resort in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland, and one of the most important centres for mountain hiking and skiing, including ski jumping. Its population is about 5,000...	9
Polkowice County Polkowice County Polkowice County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat polkowicki	780	61,138	Polkowice Polkowice Polkowice is a town in south-western Poland with 22,279 inhabitants . It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship...	Chocianów Chocianów Chocianów is a town in Polkowice County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Chocianów. The town lies approximately south-west of Polkowice, and west of the regional capital Wrocław... , Przemków Przemków Przemków is a town in Polkowice County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Przemków. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...	6
Lubań County Luban County Lubań County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of . Its administrative seat and... powiat lubański	428	57,061	Lubań Luban Lubań is a town in southwest Poland north of the Jizera Mountains on the Kwisa river, with 22,137 inhabitants . Situated within the historic Upper Lusatia region, it today belongs to the Lower Silesian Voivodeship...	Olszyna Olszyna Olszyna is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Trzebiel, within Żary County, Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland, close to the German border. It is the site of a major border crossing on the E36 motorway connecting Berlin, Germany with Wrocław and Kraków in Poland... , Leśna Lesna Leśna is a town in Lubań County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Leśna, close to the Czech border. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany.... , Świeradów-Zdrój Swieradów-Zdrój Świeradów-Zdrój is a spa town in Lubań County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland near the border with the Czech Republic. The town is located in the Kwisa valley of the Jizera Mountains, a part of the Sudetes range. It lies approximately south of Lubań, and west of the...	7
Legnica County Legnica County Legnica County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat legnicki	745	52,995	Legnica Legnica Legnica is a town in south-western Poland, in Silesia, in the central part of Lower Silesia, on the plain of Legnica, riverside: Kaczawa and Czarna Woda. Between 1 June 1975 and 31 December 1998 Legnica was the capital of the Legnica Voivodeship. It is currently the seat of the county...  *	Chojnów Chojnów Chojnów is a small town in Legnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is located on the Skora river, a tributary of the Kaczawa at an average altitude of above sea level. Chojnów is the administrative seat of the rural gmina called Gmina Chojnów, although the town is... , Prochowice Prochowice Prochowice is a town in Legnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Prochowice. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany....	8
Jawor County Jawor County Jawor County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat jaworski	581	52,058	Jawor Jawor Jawor is a town in south-western Poland with 24,347 inhabitants . It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship . It is the seat of Jawor County, and lies approximately west of the regional capital Wrocław.In the town can be found a Protestant Church of Peace...	Bolków Bolków Bolków is a town in Jawor County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Bolków and part of the Neisse-Nysa-Nisa Euroregion....	6
Środa Śląska County Sroda Slaska County Środa Śląska County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat średzki	704	49,208	Środa Śląska Sroda Slaska Środa Śląska is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of Środa Śląska County, and of the smaller administrative district called Gmina Środa Śląska. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...		5
Lwówek Śląski County Lwówek Slaski County Lwówek Śląski County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat lwówecki	710	48,144	Lwówek Śląski Lwówek Slaski Lwówek Śląski is a town in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship in Poland. Situated on the Bóbr River, Lwówek Śląski is about 30 km NNW of Jelenia Góra and has a population of about 10,300 inhabitants...	Gryfów Śląski Gryfów Slaski Gryfów Śląski is a town in Lwówek Śląski County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Gryfów Śląski. As at 2006, the town has a population of 7,128. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany.The town is located between Zgorzelec... , Mirsk Mirsk Mirsk is a town in Lwówek Śląski County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Mirsk, close to the Czech border... , Wleń Wlen Wleń is a town in Lwówek Śląski County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is located on the Bóbr river in the historic Lower Silesian region, approximately south-east of Lwówek Śląski, and west of the regional capital Wrocław.... , Lubomierz Lubomierz Lubomierz may refer to the following places:*Lubomierz, Bochnia County in Lesser Poland Voivodeship *Lubomierz, Limanowa County in Lesser Poland Voivodeship *Lubomierz in Lower Silesian Voivodeship...	5
Wołów County powiat wołowski	675	47,445	Wołów	Brzeg Dolny Brzeg Dolny Brzeg Dolny is a town in Wołów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. It is located north-west of Wrocław on the Oder River, and is the site of a large chemical complex, PCC Rokita SA...	3
Kamienna Góra County Kamienna Góra County Kamienna Góra County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat kamiennogórski	396	46,470	Kamienna Góra Kamienna Góra Kamienna Góra is a town in south-western Poland with 21,440 inhabitants . It is the seat of Kamienna Góra County, and also of the rural district called Gmina Kamienna Góra, although it is not part of the territory of the latter .Kamienna Góra on the Bóbr river is situated in Lower Silesian...	Lubawka Lubawka Lubawka is a town in Poland, in Lower Silesia Voivodship, in Kamienna Góra County. It is the administrative seat of Gmina Lubawka. It lies in the area of Central Sudetenland near to the border with the Czech Republic on the way across the Lubawka pass between the Karkonosze and Crow Mountains...	4
Złotoryja County powiat złotoryjski	575	45,744	Złotoryja	Wojcieszów Wojcieszów Wojcieszów is a town in Złotoryja County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland, close to the German border. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany.The town lies approximately south of Złotoryja, and west of the regional capital Wrocław.... , Świerzawa Swierzawa Świerzawa is a town in Złotoryja County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Świerzawa. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...	6
Strzelin County Strzelin County Strzelin County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat strzeliński	622	44,146	Strzelin Strzelin Strzelin is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. It is located on the Oława river, a tributary of the Oder, about south of the region's capital Wrocław. The town is the seat of Strzelin County and also of the smaller municipality of Strzelin...	Wiązów Wiazów Wiązów is a town in Strzelin County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Wiązów. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany...	5
Milicz County Milicz County Milicz County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat milicki	715	36,845	Milicz Milicz Milicz is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of Milicz County, and of the smaller administrative district called Gmina Milicz...		3
Góra County Góra County Góra County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of... powiat górowski	738	36,556	Góra Góra Góra is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-west Poland.Góra is also the name of many other places in Poland, including:In Greater Poland Voivodeship :*Góra, Jarocin County...	Wąsosz Wasosz Wąsosz is a town in Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the administrative district called Gmina Wąsosz. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany....	4
* seat not part of the county

Protected areas

Protected area

Protected area

Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...

s in Lower Silesian Voivodeship include two National Park

National park

A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...

s and 12 Landscape Parks

Landscape Park (Poland)

A Landscape Park is the name given in Poland to a type of protected area, of lower status than a National Park and with less stringent restrictions on development and economic use....

. These are listed below.

• Karkonosze National Park
  Karkonosze National Park
  The Karkonosze National Park is a National Park in the Karkonosze Mountains in southwestern Poland.The park is located in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, along the border with the Czech Republic. It was created in 1959 to cover an area of 55.10 km²; today it is slightly larger at , of which 17.18 km²...
  
   (part of a UNESCO
  UNESCO
  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
  
   trans-border biosphere reserve
  Biosphere reserve
  The Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO was established in 1971 to promote interdisciplinary approaches to management, research and education in ecosystem conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.-Development:...
  
  )
• Table Mountains National Park
• Barycz Valley Landscape Park
  Barycz Valley Landscape Park
  Barycz Valley Landscape Park is a protected area in south-western Poland. Established in 1996, it covers an area of ....
  
   (partly in Greater Poland Voivodeship
  Greater Poland Voivodeship
  Wielkopolska Voivodeship , or Greater Poland Voivodeship, is a voivodeship, or province, in west-central Poland. It was created on 1 January 1999 out of the former Poznań, Kalisz, Konin, Piła and Leszno Voivodeships, pursuant to the Polish local government reforms adopted in 1998...
  
  )
• Bóbr Valley Landscape Park
  Bóbr Valley Landscape Park
  Bóbr Valley Landscape Park is a protected area in south-western Poland.The Park lies within Lower Silesian Voivodeship: in Jelenia Góra County , Lwówek Śląski County and Złotoryja County ....
  
  
• Bystrzyca Valley Landscape Park
  Bystrzyca Valley Landscape Park
  Bystrzyca Valley Landscape Park is a protected area in south-western Poland.The Park lies within Lower Silesian Voivodeship....
  
  
• Chełmy Landscape Park
• Jezierzyca Valley Landscape Park
  Jezierzyca Valley Landscape Park
  Jezierzyca Valley Landscape Park is a protected area in south-western Poland, established in 1994, covering an area of ....
  
  
• Książ Landscape Park
  Ksiaz Landscape Park
  Książ Landscape Park is a protected area in south-western Poland, established in 1981, covering an area of...
  
  
• Owl Mountains Landscape Park
  Owl Mountains Landscape Park
  Owl Mountains Landscape Park is a protected area in the Owl Mountains in south-western Poland, established in 1991, covering an area of ....
  
  
• Przemków Landscape Park
  Przemków Landscape Park
  Scenic Park of Przemkow is a protected area in south-western Poland, established in 1997, covering an area of ....
  
  
• Rudawy Landscape Park
  Rudawy Landscape Park
  Rudawy Landscape Park is a protected area in south-western Poland, established in 1989.The Park lies within Lower Silesian Voivodeship....
  
  
• Ślęża Landscape Park
  Sleza Landscape Park
  Ślęża Landscape Park is a protected area in south-western Poland, established in 1988, covering an area of...
  
  
• Śnieżnik Landscape Park
  Snieznik Landscape Park
  Śnieżnik Landscape Park is a protected area in south-western Poland, established in 1981, covering an area of...
  
  
• Sudety Wałbrzyskie Landscape Park

External links

• Województwo Dolnośląskie Official website
• Website of the government of Lower Silesia