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Silesian Voivodeship
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Geography Silesian Voivodeship borders both the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south. It is also bordered by four other Polish voivodeships: those of Opole (to the west), Lódz (to the north), Swietokrzyskie (to the north-east), and Lesser Poland (to the east).
The region includes the Silesian Upland (Wyzyna Slaska) in the centre and north-west, and the Krakowsko-Czestochowska Upland (Jura Krakowsko-Czestochowska) in the north-east. The southern border is formed by the Beskidy Mountains.
The strong links between Upper Silesia and the regions now contained in Opole and Lower Silesian Voivodeships reach back to the medieval history of the Duchy of Silesia (Ksiestwo Slaskie), which was divided in the 13th century into Upper and Lower Silesia. However, it should be noted that a around half of the territory of today's Silesian Voivodeship is not part of historical Silesia. Such cities as Czestochowa, Zawiercie, Myszków, Jaworzno, Sosnowiec, Zywiec, Dabrowa Górnicza and Bedzin, and their surrounding counties, belong historically to Lesser Poland.
Population Silesian Voivodeship has the highest population density in the country (379 people per square kilometre, compared to the national average of 124). The region's considerable industrialisation gives it the lowest unemployment rate nationally (6.2%). The Silesian region is the most industrialized and the most urbanized region in Poland: 78% of its population live in towns and cities.
Cities and towns Due to its industrial and urban nature, the voivodeship has many cities and large towns. Of Poland's 40 largest towns, 12 are in Silesian Voivodeship. In all it has 71 towns, listed below in descending order of population (according to official figures for 2006 ): 1. Katowice (315,996)
2. Czestochowa (246,129)
3. Sosnowiec (225,202)
4. Gliwice (199,099)
5. Zabrze (190,610)
6. Bytom (187,205)
7. Bielsko-Biala (176,678)
8. Ruda Slaska (145,929)
9. Rybnik (141,382)
10. Tychy (130,842)
11. Dabrowa Górnicza (129,753)
12. Chorzów (114,434)
13. Jaworzno (96,051)
14. Jastrzebie-Zdrój (95,149)
15. Myslowice (74,988)
16. Siemianowice Slaskie (72,451)
17. Zory (62,625)
18. Tarnowskie Góry (61,107)
19. Piekary Slaskie (59,494)
20. Bedzin (58,659)
21. Racibórz (57,352)
22. Swietochlowice (55,172)
23. Zawiercie (52,926)
24. Wodzislaw Slaski (49,319)
25. Knurów (39,823)
26. Mikolów (38,392)
27. Cieszyn (36,014)
28. Czechowice-Dziedzice (34,811)
29. Czeladz (34,173)
30. Myszków (32,830)
31. Zywiec (32,078)
32. Czerwionka-Leszczyny (28,486)
33. Pszczyna (25,621)
34. Lubliniec (24,229)
35. Rydultowy (21,950)
36. Laziska Górne (21,906)
37. Bierun (19,642)
38. Pyskowice (19,127)
39. Orzesze (18,830)
40. Radlin (17,673)
41. Radzionków (17,220)
42. Ledziny (16,156)
43. Ustron (15,420)
44. Skoczów (14,641)
45. Pszów (14,012)
46. Klobuck (13,193)
47. Wisla (11,453)
48. Blachownia (9,863)
49. Wojkowice (9,434)
50. Poreba (8,784)
51. Kalety (8,657)
52. Imielin (7,887)
53. Miasteczko Slaskie (7,368)
54. Lazy (7,139)
55. Slawków (6,833)
56. Koniecpol (6,303)
57. Szczyrk (5,860)
58. Siewierz (5,528)
59. Kuznia Raciborska (5,517)
60. Krzepice (4,524)
61. Ogrodzieniec (4,465)
62. Zarki (4,419)
63. Wozniki (4,410)
64. Szczekociny (3,912)
65. Toszek (3,822)
66. Strumien (3,397)
67. Wilamowice (2,818)
68. Kozieglowy (partly in Lesser Poland Voivodeship)Rudy Landscape ParkSilesian Beskids Landscape ParkStawki Landscape ParkUpper Liswarta Forests Landscape ParkZalecze Landscape Park (partly in Lódz Voivodeship)Zywiec Landscape Park
Tourism Both northern and southern Silesia is surrounded by a 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, Wisla and Ustron are the most popular winter mountain resorts. Rock climbing sites can be found in admirable corners of Jura Krakowsko-Czestochowska. The ruins of castles forming the Eagle Nests Trail are a famous attraction of the region. While in Silesia, one cannot miss the Black Madonna's Jasna Góra Sanctuary in Czestochowa - the annual destination of over 4 million pilgrims from all over the world.
With its more than two centuries of industrialisation history, region has a number of technical heritage memorials. These include narrow and standard gauge railways, coal and silver mines, shafts and its equipment from 19th and 20th century.
Most popular surnames in the region - Nowak: 31,838
- Kowalski: 11,811
- Wójcik: 11,440
See also
External links
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