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Coordinates: 50°15′N 19°00′E / 50.250°N 19.000°E / 50.250; 19.000
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The Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia lies within the largest urban area in Poland. Its population is 2,039,454 (2008)<ref>[http://www.stat.gov.pl/gus/45_908_PLK_HTML.htm ''Powierzchnia i ludność w przekroju terytorialnym w 2008''] - [[Central Statistical Office (Poland)|Central Statistical Office in Poland]]</ref>, within a [[conurbation]] of 2.7 million<ref>[[Eurostat]] - [[Larger Urban Zones]] (LUZ): [http://www.urbanaudit.org/CityProfiles.aspx Urban Audit.org]</ref> - the [[Katowice urban area]]. It is also part of the wider [[Silesian metropolitan area]], with the population of 5,294,000<ref>[[European Spatial Planning Observation Network]] (ESPON)[http://www.espon.eu/mmp/online/website/content/projects/261/420/index_EN.html]</ref>. The union's share of Poland's [[Gross Domestic Product]] is 8% and the combined budget of the union's participants exceeds 6 billion [[Polish złoty|PLN]].
The Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia lies within the largest urban area in Poland. Its population is 2,039,454 (2008)<ref>[http://www.stat.gov.pl/gus/45_908_PLK_HTML.htm ''Powierzchnia i ludność w przekroju terytorialnym w 2008''] - [[Central Statistical Office (Poland)|Central Statistical Office in Poland]]</ref>, within a [[conurbation]] of 2.7 million<ref>[[Eurostat]] - [[Larger Urban Zones]] (LUZ): [http://www.urbanaudit.org/CityProfiles.aspx Urban Audit.org]</ref> - the [[Katowice urban area]]. It is also part of the wider [[Silesian metropolitan area]], with the population of 5,294,000<ref>[[European Spatial Planning Observation Network]] (ESPON)[http://www.espon.eu/mmp/online/website/content/projects/261/420/index_EN.html]</ref>. The union's share of Poland's [[Gross Domestic Product]] is 8% and the combined budget of the union's participants exceeds 6 billion [[Polish złoty|PLN]].

==Goals of the union==


The union has been created by a local initiative, and the participation was voluntary. An overwhelming majority of the local population supports the formation of the union. The intent to form the union was formally stated by the presidents of the participating cities, who signed a declaration to this effect on [[January 9]] [[2006]] in [[Świętochłowice]]. The Union's registration was signed by the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration of the Republic of Poland]] (Polish: ''MSWiA'') on 8 June 2007 with city of [[Katowice]]<ref>[http://www.esil.pl/Rejestracja_Gornoslaskiego_Zwiazku_Metropolitalnego,wiadomosci,e,4906.html ''www.esil.pl'' - "Rejestracja Górnośląskiego Związku Metropolitalnego", 27.06.2007]</ref>.
The union has been created by a local initiative, and the participation was voluntary. An overwhelming majority of the local population supports the formation of the union. The intent to form the union was formally stated by the presidents of the participating cities, who signed a declaration to this effect on [[January 9]] [[2006]] in [[Świętochłowice]]. The Union's registration was signed by the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration of the Republic of Poland]] (Polish: ''MSWiA'') on 8 June 2007 with city of [[Katowice]]<ref>[http://www.esil.pl/Rejestracja_Gornoslaskiego_Zwiazku_Metropolitalnego,wiadomosci,e,4906.html ''www.esil.pl'' - "Rejestracja Górnośląskiego Związku Metropolitalnego", 27.06.2007]</ref>.
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The aim of the union is the creation of a strong metropolitan center with pooled resources, an internationally competitive profile and unified management of common infrastructure.
The aim of the union is the creation of a strong metropolitan center with pooled resources, an internationally competitive profile and unified management of common infrastructure.


==Goals of the union==
[[Image:K-ce (noc 1).jpg|thumb|right|260px|Katowice at night]]
[[Image:K-ce (noc 1).jpg|thumb|right|260px|Katowice at night]]
The main goals of the union include the following:
The main goals of the union include the following:
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Nine million people live within 100&nbsp;km of [[Silesian Stadium]] at USMU center. Six European capitals are located within 600 kilometres from USMU: [[Berlin]], [[Vienna]], [[Prague]], [[Bratislava]], [[Budapest]] and [[Warsaw]].
Nine million people live within 100&nbsp;km of [[Silesian Stadium]] at USMU center. Six European capitals are located within 600 kilometres from USMU: [[Berlin]], [[Vienna]], [[Prague]], [[Bratislava]], [[Budapest]] and [[Warsaw]].

===Climate===
The climate of the area is continental humid. The average temperature is 8.2 degrees [[Celsius]] (average -1.5°C in January and up to average 18°C in July). Yearly rainfall averages at 608 mm. The area's characteristic weak winds blow at about 2 m/s from the west - [[Moravian Gate]].

{{Infobox Weather
|metric_first=yes
|single_line=yes
|location=Katowice, central district of Metropolis Silesia
|Jan_Hi_°C = 1
|Feb_Hi_°C = 3
|Mar_Hi_°C = 7
|Apr_Hi_°C = 13
|May_Hi_°C = 19
|Jun_Hi_°C = 21
|Jul_Hi_°C = 23
|Aug_Hi_°C = 23
|Sep_Hi_°C = 18
|Oct_Hi_°C = 13
|Nov_Hi_°C = 6
|Dec_Hi_°C = 2
|Year_Hi_°C = 12.4
|Jan_Lo_°C = -4
|Feb_Lo_°C = -4
|Mar_Lo_°C = -1
|Apr_Lo_°C = 3
|May_Lo_°C = 8
|Jun_Lo_°C = 11
|Jul_Lo_°C = 13
|Aug_Lo_°C = 12
|Sep_Lo_°C = 9
|Oct_Lo_°C = 5
|Nov_Lo_°C = 0
|Dec_Lo_°C = -3
|Year_Lo_°C = 4.0
|Jan_MEAN_°C = -1.5
|Feb_MEAN_°C = -0.5
|Mar_MEAN_°C = 3.0
|Apr_MEAN_°C = 8.0
|May_MEAN_°C = 13.5
|Jun_MEAN_°C = 16.0
|Jul_MEAN_°C = 18.0
|Aug_MEAN_°C = 17.5
|Sep_MEAN_°C = 13.5
|Oct_MEAN_°C = 9.0
|Nov_MEAN_°C = 3.0
|Dec_MEAN_°C = -0.5
|Year_MEAN_°C = 8.2
|Jan_Precip_cm = 3.04
|Feb_Precip_cm = 2.92
|Mar_Precip_cm = 3.24
|Apr_Precip_cm = 3.68
|May_Precip_cm = 5.29
|Jun_Precip_cm = 5.95
|Jul_Precip_cm = 7.37
|Aug_Precip_cm = 5.11
|Sep_Precip_cm = 4.49
|Oct_Precip_cm = 3.52
|Nov_Precip_cm = 3.76
|Dec_Precip_cm = 3.28
|Year_Precip_cm = 60.85
|source = MSN Weather<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://weather.msn.com/local.aspx?wealocations=wc:PLXX0010&q=Katowice%2c+POL
|title=Local weather forecast: Katowice
|dateformat=mdy
}}</ref>
|accessdate =
}}


===Districts===
===Districts===
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===Bordering cities===
===Bordering cities===
Cities bordering directly to Metropolis Silesia (data of 2008)<ref>[http://www.stat.gov.pl/gus/45_908_PLK_HTML.htm ''Powierzchnia i ludność w przekroju terytorialnym w 2008''] - [[Central Statistical Office (Poland)|Central Statistical Office in Poland]]</ref>. Some of the following cities declared their willingness to join the Metropolis Silesia, inter alia [[Tarnowskie Góry]] and [[Mikołów]]. [[Będzin]], [[Czeladź]] and [[Knurów]] is co-founder, but owing to technicalities of the Polish law which could have prevented its legalization, three cities canceled candidacy.
Cities bordering directly to the Metropolitan association of Silesia (data of 2008)<ref>[http://www.stat.gov.pl/gus/45_908_PLK_HTML.htm ''Powierzchnia i ludność w przekroju terytorialnym w 2008''] - [[Central Statistical Office (Poland)|Central Statistical Office in Poland]]</ref>. Some of the following cities declared their willingness to join the Metropolis Silesia, inter alia [[Tarnowskie Góry]] and [[Mikołów]]. [[Będzin]], [[Czeladź]] and [[Knurów]] is co-founder, but owing to technicalities of the Polish law which could have prevented its legalization, three cities canceled candidacy.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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===Agglomeration===
===Agglomeration===
USMU is the centre of the largest urban area in Poland and one of largest in European Union - [[Katowice urban area]] (2,7 million). The area bloomed in XIX and early XX centuries thanks to the vibrant development of industry and numerous local resources. The conurbation consists of about 40 neighbouring cities, however the entire metropolitan area (the [[Silesian metropolitan area]]) includes over 50 cities (5 million). Katowice is also in the middle of a 7-million [[megalopolis]]{{Fact|date=March 2009}} stretching from [[Kraków]] region through Katowice to [[Ostrava]] region.
USMU is the centre of the largest urban area in Poland and one of largest in European Union - [[Katowice urban area]] (2,7 million). The area bloomed in XIX and early XX centuries thanks to the vibrant development of industry and numerous local resources. The conurbation consists of about 40 neighbouring cities, however the entire metropolitan area (the [[Silesian metropolitan area]]) includes over 50 cities (5 million). Katowice is also in the middle of a 7-million [[megalopolis]]{{Fact|date=March 2009}} stretching from [[Kraków]] region through Katowice to [[Ostrava]] region.

==Economy==
USMU is an area of heavy concentration of industry, including coal, steel, energy, automotive, machinery and chemical. Over the last two decades, the service industry has become increasingly prominent.
===Industry===
[[Image:Katowice - Silesia City Center (2).jpg|thumb|left|260px|[[Silesia City Center]] - a large shopping mall in Katowice, on the grounds of the old coal mine "Gottwald"]]
USMU is still a prominent center of coal and metal industries and a site of about a dozen of coal mines (operated by [[Katowice Coal Holding]] (pl: Katowicki Holding Węglowy) and [[Coal Company]] (pl: Kompania Węglowa); several steel processing plants (Huta Baildon, Huta Ferum, Huta Batory, Huta Pokój, Huta Florian, Huta Jedność, Huta Zabrze, Huta Zgoda); a foundry of nonferrous metals (Huta Metali Nieżelaznych Szopienice); about a dozen of power plants and cogeneration plants (''Chorzów, Halemba, Jaworzno, Łagisza, Będzin, Chorzów, EC Nowa, Katowice, Miechowice, Szombierki, Szopienice, Tychy, Zabrze''); two automotive plants ([[Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych|FSM]], [[General Motors]] Manufacturing Poland); two plants producing military vehicles ([[Wojskowe Zakłady Mechaniczne]] and [[Bumar Łabędy]], the maker of [[PT-91]] main battle tank), several chemical companies (fertilizers, paints, etc), and numerous other industrial establishments. [[Image:Ulica Chorzowska widoczna z Silesia City Center.JPG|thumb|right|260px|Katowice Business Centre (Katowickie Centrum Biznesowe)]]

===Business and commerce===
Katowice is a large and dynamic business and trade fair centre. Tens of international exhibitions take place every year on the [[Katowice International Fair]] grounds and in the [[Spodek]] arena. Katowice is also the site of the second largest business centre in Poland (second to the Warsaw Business Centre). Skyscrapers are located along Chorzowska and Korfantego street in the city centre. The newest office buildings (A-class) in Katowice are the ''Chorzowska 50'' and ''[[Altus Skyscraper]]''. Several other large office buildings are currently under construction.

Katowice and USMU house ''Katowice [[Special Economic Zone]]'' (Katowicka Specjalna Strefa Ekonomiczna).

==Transport==
===Public Transport===
[[Image:KatowiceSilesianInterurbans.jpg|thumb|right|260px|a [[tram]] in Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union]]
The public transportation system of the area consists of four branches. [[Bus]]es and [[tram]]s are united in the [[KZK GOP]]. Additional services are operated by private companies and the state-owned railways ([[regional rail]]). [[Trolleybus]]es in Tychy are operated by MZK Tychy.

====Trams====
[[Silesian Interurbans]] - one of the largest [[tram]] systems in the World, in existence since 1894. The system spreads for more than 50 kilometers (east-west) and covers the following cities of the union and adjacent communities: Katowice, Będzin, Bytom, Chorzów, Czeladź, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Gliwice, Mysłowice, Ruda Śląska, Siemianowice Śląskie, Sosnowiec, Świętochłowice, and Zabrze.

====Trolleybuses====
{{Expand-section|date=June 2008}}

====Buses====
{{Expand-section|date=June 2008}}

===Roads===
[[Image:Katowice - DTŚ - Tunel 02.JPG|thumb|right|260px|[[Drogowa Trasa Średnicowa]] - express road S86]]
The area lacks a good circular road system and most of the East-West and North-South traffic goes directly through the city centre.
*[[European route E40]] ([[France]] - [[Belgium]] - [[Germany]] - Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - [[Ukraine]] - [[Russia]] - [[Uzbekistan]] - [[Kazakhstan]])
*[[European route E75]] ([[Norway]] - [[Finland]] - Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - [[Slovakia]] - [[Hungary]] - [[Serbia]] - [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]] - [[Croatia]] - [[Crete]])
*[[European route E462]] ([[Czech Republic]] - Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union)
*[[A1 (Poland)|Motorway A1]] ([[Czech republic|Czech]] - Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - [[Tricity]] / [[Baltic Sea]])
*[[A4 (Poland)|Motorway A4]] ([[Germany]] - Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - [[Ukraine]])
* DK1 National Road
* DK11 National Road
* DK44 National Road
* DK78 National Road
* DK79 National Road
* DK81 National Road
* DK86 National Road
* DK88 National Road
* DK94 National Road

===Airports===
[[Image:Pyrzowice - terminal B - wnętrze z góry.jpg|260px|thumb|right|Waiting room in terminal B in [[Katowice International Airport]]]]
The USMU area is served by the [[Katowice International Airport]], located some 30&nbsp;km north of [[Katowice]] centre. With over 20 international and domestic destinations, it is by far the biggest airport in Silesia (~2,5 million passengers served in 2008). It is currently the third busiest airport in [[Poland]] and growing rapidly. In July 2007, Terminal B was added increasing the airport's capacity to 3.6 mln passengers per annum. Besides passenger traffic, the airport is also Poland's second largest by cargo, limited only by the size of the existing cargo terminal.

Airline carriers operating from the airport include: [[Air France]], [[Centralwings]], [[EuroLOT]], [[LOT]], [[Lufthansa]] and [[Wizz Air]]

There are proposals to convert the sport aviation-serving [[Katowice-Muchowiec Airport]] into a so-called city airport, a second international airport for smaller, business-oriented traffic.

===Railway===
====Standard gauge railway====
Train transportation in the region is inexpensive and fairly efficient. The main railroad station is the [[Katowice Central Station]], with numerous regional, national and international passenger destinations. There are direct connections to Berlin, Hamburg, Vienna, Prague, Zilina (in Slovakia), Budapest, Kiev and Moscow.

There are two other major hubs (Gliwice and Sosnowiec) and tens of smaller stations.

[[Image:Katowice - Dworzec PKP nocą 1.JPG|260px|thumb|right|[[Katowice Central Station]] at night]]
The Silesian rail has a long and proud tradition, starting in 1846 when the first railroad reached the area (the Upper Silesia Railway, at that time called ''Oberschlesische Eisenbahn''). Nowadays, USMU still contains some of the main railway nodes and exchange points of Silesia and Poland.

====Broad gauge railway====
[[Broad gauge railway]] line called [[Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa]] is notable for its ability to transport goods directly between the area covered by the Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia and the countries of the former Soviet Union.

====Narrow gauge railway====
{{Expand-section|date=June 2008}}
The Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia also inhabits an area which is home to the longest network of the narrow gauge railway in Europe. Former industrial trains today provide a service for tourists from Bytom to the local 'lake district' and other attractions.

===Water Transport===
*[[Gliwice Canal]] links the area of the Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia ([[Gliwice Harbour]]) to the [[Oder River]] and thus to the waterway network across much of Germany and to the [[Baltic Sea]].
*[[Klodnica Canal]] is no longer used to transport goods, but it is popular with leisure cruisers.

==Education==
[[Image:Katowice - UŚ - WPiA.jpg|thumb|right|260px|[[University of Silesia]] - Faculty of Law and Administration]]
[[Image:Biblioteka Slaska.jpg|thumb|right|260px|[[Silesian Library]] in Katowice]]
The area is one of the most important education centers of Poland (along with Warsaw). It is home to seven major [[University|universities]] and numerous smaller schools of higher education. The most important institutions of post-secondary education are:

# [[University of Silesia]]
# [[Silesian University of Technology]]
# [[University of Economics in Katowice]]
# [[University of Music in Katowice]]
# [[Medical University of Silesia]]
# [[University of Sports in Katowice]]
# [[University of Arts in Katowice]]
# [[AGH University of Science and Technology]] in Kraków (department in Ruda Śląska)
# Polonia University of Częstochowa (department in Gliwice)
# University of Arts of Kraków (department in Katowice)
# [[Polish Academy of Sciences]]
# International Higher School of Political Sciences in Katowice
# International Higher School of Banking and Finances in Katowice
# Silesian International Business Higher School in Katowice
# Silesian Higher School of Computer Science in Katowice
# Silesian Higher School of Management in Katowice
# Upper Silesian Higher School of Trade in Katowice
# Upper Silesian Higher School of Pedagogy in Mysłowice
# Upper Silesian Higher School of Enterprise in Chorzów
# Higher School of Banking and Finances in Katowice
# Higher School of Humanistic Science in Katowice
# Higher School of Technical Science in Katowice
# Higher School of Computer Technologies in Katowice
# Higher School of Pedagogical TWP in Warsaw, the Institute of Pedagogy in Katowice
# Higher School of Social Skills in Poznan (department in Katowice)
# Higher School of Humanistic - Economic in Lodz (department in Katowice)
# Higher School of Marketing Management and Foreign Languages in Katowice
# Higher School of Management the Protection of Work in Katowice
# Higher School of Management and Marketing in Sosnowiec
# Higher School of Management and Social Sciences in Tychy
# Higher School of Art Applied in Sosnowiec
# Higher School of Strategic Planning in Dąbrowa Górnicza
# Higher School of Philosophical & Pedagogical in Kraków (department in Sosnowiec)
# Higher School of Trading in Ruda Śląska
# Higher School of Economy and Administration in Bytom
# Higher School of Business in Dąbrowa Górnicza
# Higher School of Banking in Poznań (department in Chorzów)
# Silesian Theological Seminar in Katowice
# Theological Seminar of Smaller Brothers in Katowice
# Teacher's College of Foreign Languages in Gliwice
# Teacher's College of Foreign Languages in Sosnowiec
# Teacher's College of Foreign Languages in Tychy
# Teacher's College of Foreign Languages in Zabrze
# Private Teacher's College of Foreign Languages in Katowice
# Private Teacher's Board of Foreign Languages in Bielsko (department in Katowice)
# Gliwice Higher School of Enterprise in Gliwice
# Polish-Japanese Higher School Computer Technology in Warsaw (department in Bytom)
# Higher School of Performance Arts in Bytom

==Culture==
[[Image:Teatr Wyspiańskiego - Katowice.JPG|thumb|right|260px|Katowice, [[Silesian Theatre]]]]

===Theatre===
*[[Silesian Theatre]] (Teatr Śląski)
*Rialto Cinetheater
*Ateneum Theatre
*Korez Theatre
*Cogitatur Theatre
*GuGalander Theatre (scena gugalander)
*New Theatre
*Locus Theatre
*Small Theatre
*Silesian Theatre of Dance
*Teatr Rozrywki
*Teatr Zagłębia
*Teatr Iluzji
*Teatr Gry i Ludzie
*Teatr Dzieci Zagłębia
*Gliwicki Teatr Muzyczny

===Music===
[[Image:OperaSl.jpg|thumb|right|260px|Bytom, Silesian Opera]]
*[[Silesian Philharmonic]] (Filharmonia Śląska)
*Zabrze Philharmonic (Filharmonia Zabrzańska)
*[[Silesian Opera]] (Opera Śląska)
*[[Silesian Music Stage]] (Estrada Śląska)
*GuGalander Music Stage (Scena GuGalander)
*[[National Symphonic Orchestra of the Polish Radio]]

===Cinema===
*[[IMAX]]
*[[Multikino]] ( 13 halls )
*[[Cinema City Poland|Cinema City - Punkt rozrywki 44]] ( 13 halls )
*[[Cinema City Poland|Cinema City - Silesia City Center]] ( 13 halls )
*[[Cinema City Poland|Cinema City - Ruda Śląska]] ( 8 halls )
*[[Cinema City Poland|Cinema City - Sosnowiec]] ( 6 halls )
*[[Cinema City Poland|Cinema City - Gliwice]] ( 13 halls )
*Helios Film Center Katowice ( 9 halls )
*Helios Film Center Sosnowiec ( 4 halls )
*Cinematographic Arts Center ( 2 halls )
*Cosmos II Cinema (Kino Kosmos II) ( 1 hall )
*Świadowid Cinema (Kino Światowid) ( 1 hall )
*Bałtyk Cinema (Kino Bałtyk) ( 1 hall )
*Marzenie Cinema (Kino Marzenie) ( 1 hall )
*Nowość Cinema (Kino Nowość) ( 1 hall )
*Oskar Cinema (Kino Oskar) ( 1 hall )
*Patria Cinema (Kino Patria) ( 1 hall )
*Roma Cinema (Kino Roma) ( 1 hall )
*Andromeda Cinema (Kino Andromeda) ( 1 hall )
*Amok Cinema (Kino Amok) ( 1 hall )
*Panorama Cinema (Kino Panorama) ( 1 hall )
*Theatre-cinema Tęcza (Kinoteatr Tęcza) ( 1 hall )
*Theatre-cinema X (Kinoteatr X) ( 1 hall )
*Theatre-cinema Rialto (Kinoteatr Rialto) ( 1 hall )
*Theatre-cinema Bałtyk (Kinoteatr Bałtyk) ( 1 hall )

===Museum===
[[Image:Muzeum Slaskie2.jpg|thumb|260px|right|Katowice, [[Silesian Museum]]]]
[[Image:Bytom - Muzeum Górnośląskie 01.jpg|thumb|260px|right|Bytom, Upper Silesian Museum]]
*[[Silesian Museum]] (Muzeum Śląskie)
*Muzeum Historii Katowic (Katowice History Museum)
*Muzeum Górnośląskie (Upper Silesia Museum)
*Muzeum Zamek Piastowski
*Muzeum Archidiecezjalne
*Muzeum Misyjne OO. Franciszkanów (Museum of Misyjne OO. The Franciscan Monk)
*Muzeum Biograficzne P. Stellera
*Muzeum Prawa i Prawników Polskich
*Muzeum Najmniejszych Książek Świata Zygmunta Szkocnego
*Muzeum Górnictwa Węglowego
*Muzeum Sztygarka
*Muzeum Maszyn Biurowych
*Izba Śląska
*Centre of Polish Scenography
*Centralne Muzeum Pożarnictwa
*Sztolnia Czarnego Pstrąga
*Silesian center of refreshment and culture

===Media===
*[[TVP 3 Katowice]]
*[[TVS]]
*[[TVN24]] - Katowice branch (TVN24 - oddział Katowice)
*[[Radio Katowice]]
*Radio Flash
*Radio eM
*Radio Roxy FM
*Radio Planeta
*Dziennik Zachodni
*[[Gazeta Wyborcza]] - Katowice office
*Fakt (gazeta) - oddział Katowice
*Echo Miasta
*Metro (gazeta) Katowice
*Nowy Przegląd Katowicki
[[Image:Katowice - Spodek by night.jpg|thumb|260px|right|[[Spodek]] in Katowice]]

===Ongoing performance series===
*[[Rawa Blues Festiwal]] - [[Spodek]]
*[[Metalmania]] - [[Spodek]]
*[[Mayday (music)|Mayday]] - [[Spodek]]
* International Competition of Conductors by Fitelberg
* International Festival of Military Orchestras
* International Exhibition of Graphic arts "Intergrafia"
* The all-Polish Festival of the Director's Art the "Interpretations"
* Ars Cameralis Silesiae Superioris
* International Theatrical Festival "APART"
* International Conference of Dance and Festival of Dancing Art

===Galleries===
*Galeria Sztuki Współczesnej BWA Al. Korfantego 6
*Galeria Sztuki Współczesnej Parnas ul. Kochanowskiego 10
*Galeria Sztuki Atelier 2 ul. Batorego 2
*Galeria Związku Polskich Artystów Plastyków ul. Dworcowa 13
*Galeria Architektury SARP ul. Dyrekcyjna 9
*Galeria Art-Deco pl. Andrzeja 4
*Galeria Fra Angelico ul. Jordana 39
*Galeria Akwarela ul. Mikołowska 26
*Galeria Marmurowa ul. Mikołowska 26
*Galeria Piętro Wyżej
*Galeria Sektor I
*Galeria Szyb Wilson

==Nature & recreation==
===Parks===
[[Image:Śląski Ogród Zoologiczny - kotlina dinozaurów.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Dinosaurs Valley in [[Silesian Zoological Garden]] in [[Silesian Central Park]] (reconstructions of prehistoric reptiles)]]
*[[Silesian Central Park]] (Wojewódzki Park Kultury i Wypoczynku)
*[[Kościuszko Park]] (Park im. Tadeusza Kościuszki)
*[[Forest Park of Katowice]] (Katowicki Park Leśny)
*[[Valley Three Ponds]] (Dolina Trzech Stawów)
*[[Zadole Park]]
*[[Bolina Park]]
*[[OSiR Skałka|Skałka]] (Skałka)
*[[Dolomity Sportowa Dolina]]

===[[Nature reserve]]s and other legally-protected areas ===
*Bagna Nature Reserve (Rezerwat przyrody Bagna)
*Dilina Żabnika Nature Reserve (Rezerwat przyrody Dolina Żabnika)
*Las Dąbrowa Nature Reserve (Rezerwat przyrody Las Dąbrowa)
*Las Murckowski Nature Reserve (Rezerwat przyrody Las Murckowski)
*Ochojec Nature Reserve (Rezerwat przyrody Ochojec)
*Oles Nature Reserve (Rezerwat przyrody Oles)
*Płone Bagno Nature Reserve (Rezerwat przyrody Płone Bagno)
*Sasanka Nature Reserve (Rezerwat przyrody Sasanka)
*Segiet Nature Reserve (Rezerwat przyrody Segiet)
*[[Żabie Doły|Nature and landscape protected area "Żabie Doły"]]

==Tourism==
===Castles & palaces===
*[[Castle in Gliwice]] ([[:pl:Zamek w Gliwicach]])
*[[Castle in Ruda Śląska]] ([[:pl:Zamek w Rudzie Śląskiej]])
*[[Castle in Tarnowice]] ([[:pl:Zamek w Tarnowicach]])
*[[Sielecki Castle]] ([[:pl:Zamek Sielecki]])
*[[Goldstein Palace]] ([[:pl:Pałac Goldsteinów]])
*[[Godula Palace]] ([[:pl:Pałac Goduli]])
*[[Dietl Palace]] ([[:pl:Pałac Dietla]])
*[[Ciechanowski's Palace]] ([[:pl:Pałac Ciechanowskich]])
*[[Mieroszewski's Palace in Sosnowiec]] ([[:pl:Dwór Mieroszewskich w Sosnowcu]])
*[[Mieroszewski's Palace in Będzin]] ([[:pl:Pałac Mieroszewskich]])
*[[Rheinbaben Palace]] ([[:pl:Pałac Rheinbabenów]])
*[[Wilhelm Palace]] ([[:pl:Pałac Wilhelma]])
*[[Winckler Palace]] ([[:pl:Pałac Wincklerów]])
*[[Schöen Palace in Sosnowiec]] ([[:pl:Pałac Schöena w Sosnowcu]])
*[[Schöen Palace in Środula]] ([[:pl:Pałac Schöena w Sosnowcu Środuli]])
*[[Palace in Załęże]] ([[:pl:Pałac w Załężu]])
*[[Palace in Siemianowice]] ([[:pl:Pałac w Siemianowicach]])
*[[Palace in Świętochłowice]] ([[:pl:Pałac w Świętochłowicach]])

===Historical churches===
[[Image:Cathedral in Katowice.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Cathedral in Katowice]]]]
[[Image:Nikiszowiec.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Nikiszowiec]]]]

*[[Cathedral in Katowice]]
*[[Basilica in Piekary]] (sanctuary)
*[[St. Stephen's Church (Katowice)|St. Stephen's Church]]
*[[Kościół św. Trójcy w Bytomiu|Kościół św. Trójcy]], neogotycki z 1886 roku
*[[Kościół św. Jacka w Bytomiu|Kościół św. Jacka]], neoromański z 1905 roku
*[[Kaplica św. Ducha w Bytomiu|Kaplica św. Ducha]], barokowa z 1721 roku
*[[Kościół św. Wojciecha w Bytomiu|Kościół św. Wojciecha]], gotycki i barokowy z 1783 roku
*[[Kościół św. Barbary w Chorzowie|Kościół św. Barbary]], neogotycki z 1852 roku
*[[Kościół św. Wawrzyńca w Chorzowie|Kościół św. Wawrzyńca]] z 1599 roku
*[[Kościół NMP i św. Antoniego w Dąbrowie Górniczej|Kościół NMP i św. Antoniego]] z 1678 roku
*[[Kościół Wniebowzięcia Najświętszej Marii Panny w Gliwicach|Kościół Wniebowzięcia NMP]], gotycki z XV wieku, przebudowany w latach 1852-76
*[[Kościół im. Elżbiety w Gliwicach|Kościół św. Elżbiety]], neogotycki z lat 1840-44
*[[Katedra św. Piotra i Pawła w Gliwicach|Katedra św. Piotra i Pawła]], neogotycka z lat 1896-1906
*[[Kościół św. Bartłomieja w Gliwicach|Kościół św. Bartłomieja]] z XV wieku, według legendy założony w 1232 r. przez templariuszy
*[[Kościół św. Jerzego w Gliwicach|Kościół św. Jerzego]] z XV wieku
*[[Kościół Świętego Krzyża w Gliwicach|Kościół św. Krzyża]] z 1672 roku. W 1683 r. w czasie marszu na Wiedeń nocował tu król Jan III Sobieski.
*[[Kościół Wniebowzięcia Matki Bożej w Gliwicach|Kościół Wniebowzięcia Matki Bożej]] z 1493 roku, przebudowany XVII wieku
*[[Kościół Wszystkich Świętych w Gliwicach|Kościół Wszystkich Świętych]], gotycki z XV wieku
*[[Kościół Podwyższenia Krzyża Świętego w Jaworznie|Kościół Podwyższenia Krzyża Świętego]], barokowy z XVII wieku
*[[Kościół Niepokalanego Poczęcia NMP w Katowicach|Kościół Niepokalanego Poczęcia NMP]], neogotycki z lat 1869-70
*[[Kościół św. Piotra i Pawła w Katowicach|Kościół św. Piotra i Pawła]], neogotycki z 1903 roku
*[[Kościół św. Michała Archanioła w Katowicach|Kościół św. Michała Archanioła]] z 1510 roku
*[[Kościół św. Szczepana w Katowicach|Kościół św. Szczepana]], noeogotycki z 1894 roku
*[[Kościół Zmartwychwstania Pańskiego w Katowicach|Kościół Zmartwychwstania Pańskiego]], neoromański z lat 1856-58
*[[Kościół Narodzenia NMP w Mysłowicach|Kościół Narodzenia NMP]], barokowy z XVIII wieku
*[[Kościół Świętego Krzyża w Mysłowicach|Kościół Świętego Krzyża]] z 1810 roku
*[[Kościół Matki Bożej z Lourdes w Rudzie Śląskiej|Kościół Matki Bożej z Lourdes]], barokowy z 1806 roku
*[[Kościół Trójcy Przenajświętszej w Rudzie Śląskiej|Kościół Trójcy Przenajświętszej]] z końca XIX wieku
*[[Kościół św. Krzyża w Siemianowicach Śląskich|Kościół św. Krzyża]], neogotycki z 1881 roku
*[[Cerkiew Wiery, Nadziei i Lubowi w Sosnowcu|Cerkiew Wiery, Nadziei i Lubowi]] z 1889 roku
*[[Katedra Wniebowzięcia NMP w Sosnowcu|Katedra Wniebowzięcia NMP]], neoromańska z lat 1893-98
*[[Kościół św. Marii Magdaleny w Tychach|Kościół św. Marii Magdaleny]], barokowy z 1782 roku
*[[Kościół św. Andrzeja w Zabrzu|Kościół św. Andrzeja]], neoromański, z lat 1863-66
*[[Kościół św. Anny w Zabrzu|Kościół św. Anny]], neogotycki z 1900 roku
*[[Kościół św. Jana Chrzciciela w Zabrzu|Kościół św. Jana Chrzciciela]], neogotycki z lat 1853-58

===Other local landmarks===
*[[Nikiszowiec]]
*[[Giszowiec]]
*[[Parachute Tower Katowice]]
*[[Gliwice Radio Tower]]
*[[FM- and TV-mast Kosztowy]]
*[[Silesian Insurgents Monument]]
*[[Błędów Desert]]
*[[Silesian Sejm]]

==Sports==
=== Polish 1st League ===

*[[Ruch Chorzów]] - men [[Football in Poland|football]]
*[[Górnik Zabrze]] - men [[Football in Poland|football]]
*[[Polonia Bytom]] - men [[Football in Poland|football]]
*[[Piast Gliwice]] - men [[Football in Poland|football]]
*[[Olimpia Piekary]] - men [[Handball in Poland|handball]]

===Other Leagues===

*[[GKS Katowice]] - men's [[Football in Poland|football]] team ([[Polish Cup]] winner: 1986, 1991, 1993; [[Polish SuperCup]] winner: 1991, 1995; 1st league in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 seasons)
*[[AZS AWF Katowice]] - women's [[Handball in Poland|handball]] team playing in [[Polish Ekstraklasa Women's Handball League]]
* [[1. FC Kattowitz]] - football club, vice-champion in Poland: 1927; champion in Upper Silesia: 1907, 1908, 1909, 1913, 1922, 1945; 3 place in championships of south-east Germanys: 1922
*[[Śląsk Świętochłowice]] - men's [[Football in Poland|football]]
*[[Szczakowianka Jaworzno]] - men's [[Football in Poland|football]]
*[[Zagłębie Sosnowiec]] - men's [[Football in Poland|football]]
*[[Naprzód Lipiny]] - men's [[Football in Poland|football]]

==Famous people==
*[[Kurt Alder]]
*[[Marcin Baszczyński]]
*[[Ewald Cebula]]
*[[Gerard Cieślik]]
*[[Janusz Gajos]]
*[[Edward Gierek]]
*[[Jędrzej Giertych]]
*[[Maria Goeppert-Mayer]]
*[[Kurt Goldstein]]
*[[Damian Gorawski]]
*[[Jerzy Gorgoń]]
*[[August Hlond]]
*[[Otylia Jędrzejczak]]
*[[Henryk Kasperczak]]
*[[Jan Kiepura]]
*[[Wojciech Korfanty]]
*[[Jerzy Kukuczka]]
*[[Kazimierz Kutz]]
*[[Włodzimierz Lubański]]
*[[Franz Leopold Neumann]]
*[[Krzysztof Oliwa]]
*[[Lukas Podolski]]
*[[Miroslav Klose]]
*[[Daniel Podrzycki]]
*[[Roman Polko]]
*[[Jan Sawka]]
*[[Hanna Schygulla]]
*[[Władysław Szpilman]]
*[[Krzysztof Warzycha]]
*[[Ernest Wilimowski]]
*[[Sobiesław Zasada]]
*[[Aleksander Zawadzki]]
*[[Krystian Zimerman]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Schlesien Region Kattowitz.png|Kattowitz Region in 1905
Image:Katowice - ul. 3-go maja 15 i 17 .JPG|Katowice
Image:Gliwice - Fontanna z trzema faunami 02.JPG|Gliwice
Image:Bytom - Kamienice przy Rynku 01.jpg|Bytom
Image:01-um-chorzów.jpg|Chorzów
Image:Jerzmanowa.jpg|Dąbrowa Górnicza
Image:Katowice - Pomnik Powstańców Śląskich.jpg|[[Silesian Insurgents Monument]]
Image:Katowice - Spodek - widok z góry.JPG|The Spodek
Image:Jaworzno-Hala Sportowa.JPG|Sports Hall in [[Jaworzno]]
Image:SejmSlaski.jpg|[[Silesian Sejm|Silesian Parliament]]
Image:Highway A4 Katowice.JPG|[[A4 (Poland)|Highway A4]]
Image:OsiedleGwiazdy.jpg|"Stars" skyscrapers
Image:Ulica Chorzowska widoczna z Silesia City Center.JPG|Chorzowska street
Image:Katowice - Drapacz Chmur.jpg|"Drapacz Chmur" - historical skyscraper
Image:Haperowiec & Stalexport nocą.jpg|Haperowiec and [[Stalexport Skyscrapers]] at night
Image:Altus, Katowice.jpg|[[Altus Skyscraper]]
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 656: Line 175:


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://www.gzm.org.pl GZM Site]
*{{pl icon}} [http://www.gzm.org.pl GZM Site]
*[http://www.euroregiony.pl/html/187.html Euroregiony]
*{{pl icon}} [http://www.euroregiony.pl/html/187.html Euroregiony]
*[http://samorzad.pap.com.pl/?bez_id=512100842080902&dzial=naszesprawy&poddzial=&d=512100842080902 www.samorzad.pap.com.pl]
*{{pl icon}} [http://samorzad.pap.com.pl/?bez_id=512100842080902&dzial=naszesprawy&poddzial=&d=512100842080902 www.samorzad.pap.com.pl]
*[http://katowice.naszemiasto.pl/wydarzenia/556152.html www.katowice.nasze miasto.pl]
*{{pl icon}} [http://katowice.naszemiasto.pl/wydarzenia/556152.html www.katowice.nasze miasto.pl]
*[http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=24596 17 śląskich miast chce się połączyć w Silesię]
*{{pl icon}} [http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=14&ShowArticleId=24596 17 śląskich miast chce się połączyć w Silesię]
*[http://pl.wikinews.org/wiki/Pomys%C5%82_utworzenia_najwi%C4%99kszego_miasta_w_Polsce_-_Silesii Pomysł powstania największego miasta w Polsce - Silesii]
*{{pl icon}} [http://pl.wikinews.org/wiki/Pomys%C5%82_utworzenia_najwi%C4%99kszego_miasta_w_Polsce_-_Silesii Pomysł powstania największego miasta w Polsce - Silesii]
*{{pl icon}} [http://www.um.gliwice.pl/index.php?id=15825/1 Statute of the Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia]
*{{pl icon}} [http://www.um.gliwice.pl/index.php?id=15825/1 Statute of the Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia]


Revision as of 03:45, 27 September 2009

Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia
Górnośląski Związek Metropolitalny
Katowice Finanse Center
Katowice Finanse Center
Coat of arms of Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia
Coat of arms
Nickname: 
Metropolis Silesia
CountryPoland
VoivodshipSilesia
CouncilZarząd GZM
Government
 • Head of CouncilPiotr Uszok
Area
 • City1,218 km2 (470 sq mi)
Population
 (2008)
 • City1,978,479
 • Density1,600/km2 (4,200/sq mi)
 • Urban
2,746,000
 • Metro
5,294,000
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Area code+48 32
Car PlatesSD, SG, SH, SI, SJ, SK, SL, SM, SO, ST, SW, SY, SZ, SBE, SGL, SPI, SRS
Economyservice industry, business
HighwayE40 / A4:
Berlin-USMU-Kiev
E75 / A1:
Tricity-USMU-Bratislava
AirportKatowice International Airport
Websitehttp://www.gzm.org.pl

Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia (Polish: Górnośląski Związek Metropolitalny (also known under its unofficial name: Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union) also Metropolis Silesia (Polish: Metropolia Silesia)[1] or Upper Silesian Metropolis (Polish: Metropolia Górnośląska)[2] is a union of 14 adjacent cities in the Silesian Voivodeship, Poland.

The Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia lies within the largest urban area in Poland. Its population is 2,039,454 (2008)[3], within a conurbation of 2.7 million[4] - the Katowice urban area. It is also part of the wider Silesian metropolitan area, with the population of 5,294,000[5]. The union's share of Poland's Gross Domestic Product is 8% and the combined budget of the union's participants exceeds 6 billion PLN.

Goals of the union

The union has been created by a local initiative, and the participation was voluntary. An overwhelming majority of the local population supports the formation of the union. The intent to form the union was formally stated by the presidents of the participating cities, who signed a declaration to this effect on January 9 2006 in Świętochłowice. The Union's registration was signed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration of the Republic of Poland (Polish: MSWiA) on 8 June 2007 with city of Katowice[6].

In 2006 and 2007, the union planned to unite these cities in one official city "Silesia"[7].

The aim of the union is the creation of a strong metropolitan center with pooled resources, an internationally competitive profile and unified management of common infrastructure.

File:K-ce (noc 1).jpg
Katowice at night

The main goals of the union include the following:

  • Arriving at a common development strategy for the cities comprising the union, in accordance with the current law governing planning and land use.
  • Putting into effect projects embraced by a common development strategy of the constituent cities.
  • Obtaining financial means from available domestic and foreign funding sources.
  • Managing the roadways transferred to the union by its constituent communes (Polish: gminy).
  • Preparing motions having as their aim obtaining public means derived from the budget of the European Union.
  • Stimulating the job market throughout the constituent cities of the union.
  • Supporting innovative economic programs that increase the competitive standing of the cities in the world.
  • Expressing opinions pertaining to legislative and decision-making processes in matters important to the union and affecting the union's activities.

The effects of the union's activity are to include: improvement in managing the agglomeration, strengthening its economic muscle and increased competitive standing of the constituent cities of the MAUS, and also the coordination of public relations and promoting the constituent cities, as well as underscoring the importance of the region.

Geography

Location

The Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia spans urban communities in the historical regions of Upper Silesia (south part of Silesia) as well as Lesser Poland's Zagłębie Dąbrowskie in Silesian Voivodeship in southern Poland, within the northern portion of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, between the Vistula and Oder rivers.

Nine million people live within 100 km of Silesian Stadium at USMU center. Six European capitals are located within 600 kilometres from USMU: Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Bratislava, Budapest and Warsaw.

Districts

The Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia has been created by a local initiative, and the participation was voluntary. An overwhelming majority of the local population supports its formation. However, outside of the area, the formation of the union appears to have less support. Originally, 17 cities were to enter into the union, but owing to technicalities of the Polish law which could have prevented its legalization, only 14 of the 17 cities; that is, those with the legal status of an urban county, proceeded with forming the union.

Map of district of Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union

The constituent cities in decreasing order by population are as follows (data of 2008)[8]:

District Population Area Density
Katowice 312,201 164.67 km² 1,896/km²
Sosnowiec 222,586 91.06 km² 2,444/km²
Gliwice 197,393 133.88 km² 1,474/km²
Zabrze 189,062 80.40 km² 2,352/km²
Bytom 184,765 69.44 km² 2,661/km²
Ruda Śląska 144,584 77.73 km² 1,860/km²
Tychy 129,776 81.64 km² 1,590/km²
Dąbrowa Górnicza 128,795 188.73 km² 682/km²
Chorzów 113,678 33.24 km² 3,420/km²
Jaworzno 95,520 152.67 km² 626/km²
Mysłowice 74,912 65.75 km² 1,139/km²
Siemianowice Śląskie 71,621 25.5 km² 2,809/km²
Piekary Śląskie 59,061 39.98 km² 1,477/km²
Świętochłowice 54,525 13.31 km² 4,097/km²
Total 1,978,479 1,218 km² 1,624.4/km²

The borders between the constituent cities have been for decades largely artificial, and in many cases absurd. For example one side of the street would belong to the one city, and the other to another.

Nationally, the union strives to address several problems, including:

  • Poor recognition (e.g., often omitted from Polish maps[9])
  • Gross under-investment (for example, by far the lowest per capita allocation of the EU development funds in Poland[10]).

Bordering cities

Cities bordering directly to the Metropolitan association of Silesia (data of 2008)[11]. Some of the following cities declared their willingness to join the Metropolis Silesia, inter alia Tarnowskie Góry and Mikołów. Będzin, Czeladź and Knurów is co-founder, but owing to technicalities of the Polish law which could have prevented its legalization, three cities canceled candidacy.

City Population Area Density
Tarnowskie Góry 60,975 83.72 km² 728/km²
Będzin 58,639 37.37 km² 1,569/km²
Chrzanów 39,452 38.32 km² 1,030/km²
Knurów 39,449 33.95 km² 1,162/km²
Mikołów 38,698 79.20 km² 489/km²
Czeladź 34,072 16.38 km² 2,080/km²
Łaziska Górne 21,942 20.07 km² 1,093/km²
Trzebinia 20,128 31.94 km² 630/km²
Bieruń 19,464 40.67 km² 479/km²
Pyskowice 19,104 30.89 km² 618/km²
Radzionków 17,163 13.20 km² 1,300/km²
Lędziny 16,262 31.48 km² 517/km²
Wojkowice 9,368 12.79 km² 732/km²
Imielin 8,010 28.00 km² 286/km²
Sławków 6,866 36.67 km² 187/km²
Total 409,592 534.65 km² 766.1/km²
Total with USMU 2,388,071 1752,65 km² 1195,25/km²

Agglomeration

USMU is the centre of the largest urban area in Poland and one of largest in European Union - Katowice urban area (2,7 million). The area bloomed in XIX and early XX centuries thanks to the vibrant development of industry and numerous local resources. The conurbation consists of about 40 neighbouring cities, however the entire metropolitan area (the Silesian metropolitan area) includes over 50 cities (5 million). Katowice is also in the middle of a 7-million megalopolis[citation needed] stretching from Kraków region through Katowice to Ostrava region.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.gzm.org.pl
  2. ^ http://www.gzm.org.pl/pol/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=9&Itemid=43
  3. ^ Powierzchnia i ludność w przekroju terytorialnym w 2008 - Central Statistical Office in Poland
  4. ^ Eurostat - Larger Urban Zones (LUZ): Urban Audit.org
  5. ^ European Spatial Planning Observation Network (ESPON)[1]
  6. ^ www.esil.pl - "Rejestracja Górnośląskiego Związku Metropolitalnego", 27.06.2007
  7. ^ Template:Pl icon dziennik.pl - "17 śląskich miast chce się połączyć w Silesię", 11 December 2006
  8. ^ Powierzchnia i ludność w przekroju terytorialnym w 2008 - Central Statistical Office in Poland
  9. ^ Pozytywny wizerunek regionu Yród³em sukcesu oel¹skich firm
  10. ^ http://bi.gazeta.pl/im/4/4370/m4370104.jpg.
  11. ^ Powierzchnia i ludność w przekroju terytorialnym w 2008 - Central Statistical Office in Poland
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