Katowice: Difference between revisions
Undid revision 315617822 by Frankyaraceae (talk) Removing cross wiki spammed link art1900.info |
No edit summary |
||
Line 51: | Line 51: | ||
'''Katowice''' {{Audio-IPA-pl|Pl-Katowice.ogg|k|a|t|o|'|w|i|c|e}} ({{lang-cs|Katovice}}, {{lang-de|Kattowitz}}) is a [[city]] in [[Silesia]] in southern [[Poland]], on the [[Kłodnica]] and [[Rawa river|Rawa]] rivers (tributaries of the [[Oder River|Oder]] and the [[Vistula]]). Katowice is located in the [[Silesian Highlands]], about 50 km on north from the [[Silesian Beskids]] (part of the [[Carpathian Mountains]]) and about 100 km on south-east from [[Sudetes|Sudetes Mountains]]. |
'''Katowice''' {{Audio-IPA-pl|Pl-Katowice.ogg|k|a|t|o|'|w|i|c|e}} ({{lang-cs|Katovice}}, {{lang-de|Kattowitz}}) is a [[city]] in [[Silesia]] in southern [[Poland]], on the [[Kłodnica]] and [[Rawa river|Rawa]] rivers (tributaries of the [[Oder River|Oder]] and the [[Vistula]]). Katowice is located in the [[Silesian Highlands]], about 50 km on north from the [[Silesian Beskids]] (part of the [[Carpathian Mountains]]) and about 100 km on south-east from [[Sudetes|Sudetes Mountains]]. |
||
It is the central district of the [[Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia]], with the population of 2 millions. Katowice is large local center of science, culture, industry, business and transportation. Katowice is the main city in the [[Upper Silesian Industry Area]], and of the 2,7 million<ref>2,746,000 according to scientific description by [[:pl:Tadeusz Markowski (ekonomista)|Tadeusz Markowski]] [http://www.mrr.gov.pl/polityka_regionalna/SRPW_2020/Dokumenty%20i%20ekspertyzy/Documents/17d0ccd2c3f14ed3893369e56d59849cMarkowski.pdf "''Funkcje Metropolitalne Pięciu Stolic Województw Wschodnich''"]</ref><ref>2,733,000 (2,928,000 - counting whole [[powiat]]s adjacent to the city) according to scientific description by Paweł Swianiewicz and Urszula Klimska [http://www.wgsr.uw.edu.pl/pub/uploads/pis05/Swianiewicz_1a.pdf "''Społeczne i polityczne zróżnicowanie aglomeracji w Polsce"'' - Paweł Swianiewicz, Urszula Klimska]; [[University of Warsaw]] 2005</ref><ref>2,775,000 according to ''[http://www.citypopulation.de/world/Agglomerations.html citypopulation.de]''</ref><ref>2,710,397 according to [[Eurostat]] - [[Larger Urban Zones]] (LUZ): [http://www.urbanaudit.org/CityProfiles.aspx Urban Audit.org]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.stat.gov.pl/gus/45_908_PLK_HTML.htm|title = Powierzchnia i ludność w przekroju terytorialnym w 2008|publisher = [[Central Statistical Office (Poland)|Central Statistical Office in Poland]]|date = 1 January 2008|quote = In [[Katowice urban area|42 adjacent cities and towns in conurbation]], reside a total of 2,764,971 peoples on 2411 km², density: 1146 hab./km2|lang = Polish}}</ref> [[conurbation]], the [[Katowice urban area]], within a greater [[Silesian metropolitan area]] populated by about 5,294,000 people.<ref>[[European Spatial Planning Observation Network]] (ESPON)[http://www.espon.eu/mmp/online/website/content/projects/261/420/index_EN.html]</ref> The population within the city limits is 312,201.<ref name="stats">''[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]] ISSN 1505-5507 , 13.08.2008</ref> |
|||
Katowice has been the capital of [[Silesian Voivodeship]] since its formation in 1999. Previously, it was the capital of the [[Katowice Voivodeship]], and before then, of the [[Autonomous Silesian Voivodeship]]. |
Katowice has been the capital of [[Silesian Voivodeship]] since its formation in 1999. Previously, it was the capital of the [[Katowice Voivodeship]], and before then, of the [[Autonomous Silesian Voivodeship]]. |
Revision as of 03:49, 27 September 2009
Katowice | |
---|---|
File:Katowice Finanse Center.JPG | |
Country | ![]() |
Voivodeship | File:Slaskie flag.svg Silesian |
County | city county |
Established | 16th century |
City rights | 1865 |
Government | |
• Mayor | Piotr Uszok |
Area | |
• City | 164.67 km2 (63.58 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 352 m (1,155 ft) |
Lowest elevation | 266 m (873 ft) |
Population (2008) | |
• City | 312,201 |
• Density | 1,900/km2 (4,900/sq mi) |
• Urban | 2,746,000 |
• Metro | 5,294,000 |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 40-001 to 40-999 |
Area code | +48 32 |
Car plates | SK |
Website | http://www.um.katowice.pl |
Katowice Template:Audio-IPA-pl (Czech: Katovice, German: Kattowitz) is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, on the Kłodnica and Rawa rivers (tributaries of the Oder and the Vistula). Katowice is located in the Silesian Highlands, about 50 km on north from the Silesian Beskids (part of the Carpathian Mountains) and about 100 km on south-east from Sudetes Mountains.
It is the central district of the Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia, with the population of 2 millions. Katowice is large local center of science, culture, industry, business and transportation. Katowice is the main city in the Upper Silesian Industry Area, and of the 2,7 million[1][2][3][4][5] conurbation, the Katowice urban area, within a greater Silesian metropolitan area populated by about 5,294,000 people.[6] The population within the city limits is 312,201.[7]
Katowice has been the capital of Silesian Voivodeship since its formation in 1999. Previously, it was the capital of the Katowice Voivodeship, and before then, of the Autonomous Silesian Voivodeship.
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/SejmSlaski.jpg/250px-SejmSlaski.jpg)
The area around Katowice in Upper Silesia has been inhabited by ethnic Silesians from its earliest documented history. It was first ruled by the Polish Silesian Piast dynasty (until its extinction). From 1335 it was a part of the Crown of Bohemia. In 1526 the territory passed to the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy after the death of King Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia. In 1742 most of Silesia was annexed from Austria by the Kingdom of Prussia during the First Silesian War.
Katowice was founded in the 19th century and gained city status in 1865 as Kattowitz in the Prussian Province of Silesia. The city flourished due to large mineral (especially coal) deposits in the nearby mountains. Extensive city growth and prosperity depended on the coal mining and steel industries, which took off during the Industrial Revolution. Kattowitz was inhabited mainly by Germans, Silesians, Jews and Poles. Previously part of the Beuthen district, in 1873 it became the capital of the new Kattowitz district. On 1 April 1899, the city of Kattowitz was separated from the district, becoming an independent city.
According to the Treaty of Versailles after World War I the Upper Silesia plebiscite was organised by the League of Nations. While in the city of Katowice the plebiscite resulted 22,774 votes to remain in Germany and 3,900 votes for Poland[8] in the voting district of Katowice overall (combined with rural areas near the city and castle area) they were 66,119 votes for Poland and 52,992 for Germany[9] and following the Silesian Uprisings (1918-21) Katowice became part of the Second Polish Republic with a certain level of autonomy (Silesian Parliament as a constituency and Silesian Voivodeship Council as the executive body).
The city was occupied by Nazi Germany between 1939-1945.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Cathedral_in_Katowice.jpg/250px-Cathedral_in_Katowice.jpg)
In 1953 the city was renamed Stalinogród ("Stalin City") by the Polish communist government. However, the new name was never accepted by the city's population and in 1956 the former name of 'Katowice' was restored.
Severe ecological damage to the environment occurred during the post-Second World War time of communist governance in the People's Republic of Poland, but recent changes in regulations, procedures and policies of Polish government since the fall of Communism have reversed much of the harm that was done.
Due to economic reforms, there has been a shift away from heavy industry, and towards small businesses.
Geography
Location
Katowice lie on Katowice Highlands, as part of the Silesian Highlands, in the eastern part of Upper Silesia, within the central portion of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. In administrative terms, Katowice is an urban community in the Silesian Voivodeship in south-west Poland. It is central district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 millions. It borders the cities of Chorzów, Siemianowice Śląskie, Sosnowiec, Mysłowice, Lędziny, Tychy, Mikołów, Ruda Śląska and Czeladź. In geographical terms, it lies between the Vistula and Oder rivers, on the Silesian Highlands. Several rivers flow through the city, the major two being the Kłodnica and Rawa Rivers. Within 600 kilometres of Katowice are the capital cities of six countries: 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 60.85 mm. The area's characteristic weak winds blow at about 2 m/s from the west - Moravian Gate.
Climate data for Katowice | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Source: MSN Weather[10] |
Districts
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/DzielniceKatowic.svg/260px-DzielniceKatowic.svg.png)
|
|
Demographics
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/qhqi1zpwwgeb6rqakyr7qiv0b1iuc5k.png)
Conurbation
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/G%C3%B3rno%C5%9Bl%C4%85ski_Zwi%C4%85zek_Metropolitalny.svg/260px-G%C3%B3rno%C5%9Bl%C4%85ski_Zwi%C4%85zek_Metropolitalny.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Kattowitz_map_simple.jpg/220px-Kattowitz_map_simple.jpg)
Katowice lies in the centre of the largest conurbation in Poland and is one of the largest in the European Union, numbering at about 2.7 million. This urban expansion boomed in the 19th century thanks to the rapid development of the mining and metallurgical industries. The Katowice urban area consists of about 40 adjacent cities and towns. However, the whole Silesian metropolitan area (mostly within the Upper Silesian Coal Basin) consists of over 50 cities/town. This metropolitan area has a population of 5,294,000. Katowice is also part of a megalopolis of over 7 million inhabitants covering Katowice, Ostrava, Kraków and Częstochowa regions.
In the year 2006 Katowice and 14 adjacent cities united under one municipal organism - the union of cities - Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union. Its population is 2 million and its area is 1,104 km². In 2006 and 2007, the union planned to unite these cities in one city under the name "Silesia"; however, this proved unsuccessful.[11]
Culture
Theater
- Silesian Theater
- Ateneum Theater
- Korez Theater
- Cogitatur Theater
- Rialto Cinetheater
Cinema
- IMAX Katowice
- Cinema City - Punkt rozrywki 44 ( 13 halls )
- Cinema City - Silesia City Center ( 13 halls )
- Helios Cinema Center ( 9 halls )
- Światowid Cinema ( 1 halls )
- Rialto Cinetheater ( 1 halls )
- Cinematographic Arts Center ( 2 halls )
Music
- Silesian Philharmonic
- Silesian Estrade
- Scene GuGalander
- Mega Club
- National Symphonic Orchestra of Polish Radio
Museums
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Muzeum_Slaskie2.jpg/260px-Muzeum_Slaskie2.jpg)
- Silesian Museum
- History of Katowice Museum
- Muzeum Archidiecezjalne
- Muzeum Misyjne OO. Franciszkanów
- Muzeum Biograficzne P. Stellera
- Muzeum Prawa i Prawników Polskich
- Muzeum Najmniejszych Książek Świata Zygmunta Szkocnego
- Izba Śląska
- Centre of Polish Scenography
- Silesian center of refreshment and culture
Media
- TV stations:
- TVP 3 Katowice
- TVS (TV Silesia)
- TVN24 - department Katowice (TVN24 - oddział Katowice)
- radio stations:
- newspapers:
- Dziennik Zachodni
- Gazeta Wyborcza - Katowice section
- Fakt - Katowice section
- Echo Miasta
- Metro International - Katowice
- Nowy Przegląd Katowicki
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/Katowice_-_Spodek_by_night.jpg/260px-Katowice_-_Spodek_by_night.jpg)
Festivals and events
- Rawa Blues Festiwal - Spodek
- Metalmania - Spodek
- 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
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
Parks and squares
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Katowice_-_Wie%C5%BCa_spadochronowa_01.jpg/260px-Katowice_-_Wie%C5%BCa_spadochronowa_01.jpg)
- Main parks:
- Silesian culture and refreshment park (Wojewódzki Park Kultury i Wypoczynku)
- Tadeusz Kościuszko Park (Park im. Tadeusza Kościuszki)
- Forest Park of Katowice (Katowicki Park Leśny)
- Valley Three Ponds (Dolina Trzech Stawów)
- Zadole Park
- Bolina Park
- Janina-Barbara Park
- Szopienice-Borki
- Olympic Participants' Park (Park Olimpijczyków)
- Murckowska Valley
- Square:
- Market square (Rynek w Katowicach)
- Wolność Square (Plac Wolności)
- Andrzej Square (Plac Andrzeja)
- Miarka Square (Plac Miarki)
- Council of Europe Square (Plac Rady Europy)
- Alfred Square (Plac Alfreda)
- A. Budniok Square (Plac A. Brudnioka)
- J. Londzin Square (Plac J. Londzina)
- A. Hlond Square (Plac A. Hlonda)
Nature reserves and ecological areas
- Nature reserve Las Murckowski
- Nature reserve Ochojec
- Szopienice-Borki
- Źródła Kłodnicy
- Staw Grunfeld
- Stawy Na Tysiącleciu
- Płone Bagno
Architecture
General information
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Katowicemoderna.svg/260px-Katowicemoderna.svg.png)
Katowice are to the group of Polish cities whose centers do not originate from the medieval town. Downtown City was formed in the mid-nineteenth century. Established at the time the buildings are decorated eclectic (mostly Renaissance and Baroque) as elements of Art Nouveau style (secesja). The end of the nineteenth century, which may seem surprising for visitors today, the center of Katowice, was regarded as a "little Paris"[12]
Katowice's mixture of architectural styles. Most of the historical buildings were thoroughly reconstructed. However, some of the buildings from the 19th century that had been preserved in reasonably reconstructible form were nonetheless eradicated in the 1950s to 1970s. Mass residential blocks were erected, with basic design typical of Eastern bloc countries.
Public spaces attract heavy investment, so that the city has gained entirely new squares, parks and monuments. Katowice's current urban landscape is one of modern and contemporary architecture.
Examples of Modernism (International Style and Bauhaus inspired architecture) may be found in the city downtown. Central Katowice also contain a significant number of Art Nouveau (Secesja) buildings along with the Communist Era giants such as Spodek or Superjednostka.
Katowice's Rynek is the old centre and marketplace of the city. Unfortunately many old buildings were demolished in the 1950s to make space for monumental communist modern buildings. Several streets around the Rynek and the Rynek itself are now closed to traffic and have been made into a shopping promenades.
Regeneration of the Rynek area should start at 2007-2008 and there was an international architectural competition in 2006 to find the best design.
Tourist attractions
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Katowice_-_Rynek_noc%C4%85.jpg/260px-Katowice_-_Rynek_noc%C4%85.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Nikiszowiec.jpg/260px-Nikiszowiec.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Church_St._Mary_Katowice.jpg/260px-Church_St._Mary_Katowice.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Kt_spodek_pps.jpg/260px-Kt_spodek_pps.jpg)
Best buildings and places to see in Katowice:
- Market square and adjacent streets: Warszawska, Teatralna, Dyrekcyjna, Staromiejska, Dworcowa, św. Jana, Pocztowa, Wawelska, 3 Maja, Stawowa, Mielęckiego, Starowiejska and Mickiewicza, the so-called "Great Market Square of Katowice" or "Old town of Katowice" - a lot of historic (monument) buildings. This is a group of functional-architectural. On the market square and most of the above-mentioned streets are prohibitions or restrictions on cars. Streets: Staromiejska, Dyrekcyjna, Wawelska, Stawowa and Warszawska is lined decorative cobblestone creating a the pedestrian zone. The authority plans to Katowice - Quarter streets: św. Jana, Dworcowa, Mariacka, Mielęckiego, Stanisława and Starowiejska is to become so "small market square".[13]
- Nikiszowiec - historical settlement of Katowice, candidate to UNESCO
- St. Mary's Church in Katowice, built in the years 1862-1870
- Church of the Resurrection in Katowice, Evangelical-Augsburg, built in the years 1856-1858
- Church of St. Michael Archangel, the oldest church in the city, built in 1510
- Drapacz Chmur, one of the first skyscrapers in Europe
- Silesian Parliament, built in the years 1925-1929. For a very long time it was the biggest structure in Poland
- Modernist Old-Town
- Spodek is a large sports centre/concert hall, whose name translates as the 'saucer', from its distinctive shape resembling a UFO flying saucer
- Silesian Insurgents Monument (Polish: Pomnik Powstańców Śląskich), the largest and heaviest monument in Poland. It is a harmonious combination of architecture and sculpture with appropriate symbolism: the wings symbolize the three Silesian Uprisings 1919 - 1920 - 1921 while the names of places that were battlefields are etched on the vertical slopes. The monument, which was funded by the people of Warsaw for Upper Silesia, is considered Katowice's landmark.
- Silesian Theater, built in 1907
- Rialto Cinetheater, built in 1912
- Silesian Museum, built in 1899
- Old train station in Katowice, built in 1906
- The Goldstein Palace
- The Załęże Palace
- Parachute Tower Katowice - 50 metre tall lattice parachute tower built in 1937 for training parachute jumps. It was used in the first days of World War II. Parachute Tower Katowice is the only existing parachute tower in Poland.
Other:
- Franciscan Monastery in Panewniki
- Church of St. Joseph in Katowice (Załęże)
- St. Stephen's Church
- Church of Christ Resurrection in Katowice
- The Monument to Marshal Piłsudski by Croatian sculptor Antun Augustinčić, 1937-39. It was commissioned in 1936 but brought to Poland in 1991
- Monopol Hotel in Katowice
- Katowice Rondo - is the large square/roundabout, which was reconstructed recently, featuring the semi circular Galeria Rondo Sztuki in the centre.
- The Altus Skyscraper, tallest City skyscraper
Economy
Industry
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Katowice_-_Silesia_City_Center_%282%29.jpg/260px-Katowice_-_Silesia_City_Center_%282%29.jpg)
Katowice is a large coal and steel centre. It has several coal mines (Wujek Coal Mine, Mysłowice-Wesoła Coal Mine, Wieczorek Coal Mine, Murcki Coal Mine, Staszic Coal Mine) organized into unions - Katowice Coal Holding company (pl: Katowicki Holding Węglowy), two steelworks (Huta Baildon, Huta Ferum), and one foundry of non-ferrous metals (Huta Metali Nieżelaznych Szopienice).
Business and commerce
Katowice is also a large business and trade fair centre. Every year in Katowice International Fair and Spodek, tens of international trade fairs are organized. Katowice has the second largest business centre in Poland (after Warsaw Business Centre). Skyscrapers stand along Chorzowska, Korfantego and Roździeńskiego street in the centre of the city. The newest office buildings (A-class) in Katowice are the Chorzowska 50, Altus Skyscraper and Silesia Towers (under construction).
General
Katowice is the seat of Katowice Special Economic Zone (Katowicka Specjalna Strefa Ekonomiczna).
The unemployment rate in Katowice is one of the lowest in Poland, at 2% (in 2008), according to the official figures.[14] The city is still characterized by its working class strength and thus attracts many people seeking jobs from neighbouring cities (other districts USMU).
The average monthly salary in Katowice is the highest in Poland - about 4222,52 zł ($~1,220), in Warsaw it's about 4135,93 zł ($~1,200).[15]
Education
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Biblioteka_Slaska.jpg/260px-Biblioteka_Slaska.jpg)
Katowice is the third largest scientific centre in Poland (after Warsaw and Cracow). It has over 20 schools of higher education, at which over 100,000 persons study.
- University of Silesia
- University of Economics in Katowice
- University of Music in Katowice
- University of Sports in Katowice
- University of Arts in Katowice
- University of Arts in Cracow (department in Katowice)
- Medical University of Silesia
- Silesian University of Technology - Faculty of Materials Science and Metallurgy and Transport
- 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
- Uppersilesian Higher School of Trade in Katowice
- 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 the Pedagogical TWP in Warsaw, the Institute of Pedagogy in Katowice
- Higher School of Social Skills in Poznań (department in Katowice)
- Higher School of Humanistic - Economic in Łódź (department in Katowice)
- Higher School of Marketing Management and Foreign Languages in Katowice
- Higher School of Management the Protection of Work in Katowice
- Silesian Higher Clerical Seminar in Katowice
- Theological Seminar of Franciscans in Katowice Panewniki
- Private Teacher's College of Foreign Languages in Katowice
- Private Teacher's Board of Foreign Languages in Bielsko (department in Katowice)
There are also:
- around 80 high schools
- around 35 gimnasia
- around 55 primary schools
- around 50 libraries, including the Silesian Library
Transport
Public transport
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/KatowiceSilesianInterurbans.jpg/260px-KatowiceSilesianInterurbans.jpg)
The public transportation system of the Katowice and Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union consists of four branches - buses and trams united in the KZK GOP and furthermore the regional rail. Additional services are operated by private companies and the state-owned railways.
- Trams
Silesian Interurbans - one of the largest tram systems in the World, in existence since 1894. The system spreads for more than 50 kilometres (east-west) and covers fourteen districts of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union.
- Buses
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2009) |
Roads
- European route E40 (France - Belgium - Germany - Katowice - Ukraine - Russia - Uzbekistan - Kazakhstan)
- European route E75 (Vardø, Norway - Finland - Katowice - Slovakia - Hungary - Serbia - Macedonia - Crete, Greece)
- European route E462 (Czech Republic - Katowice)
- Motorway A4 (Germany - Katowice - Ukraine)
- DK1 National Road
- DK79 National Road
- DK81 National Road
- DK86 National Road
Several important roads in neighbourhoods of Katowice (USMU):
- Motorway A1 (Czech - Katowice - Tricity / Baltic Sea)
- DK11 National Road
- DK44 National Road
- DK78 National Road
- DK88 National Road
- DK94 National Road
Airports
The city and the area is served by the Katowice International Airport, located about 30 km from the center of Katowice. With over 20 international and domestic flights daily, it is by far the biggest airport in Silesia (~2,5 million passengers served in 2008; 2 terminals: A and B).
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Pyrzowice_-_terminal_A_-_poczekalnia.jpg/260px-Pyrzowice_-_terminal_A_-_poczekalnia.jpg)
Because of the long commute to the airport, there is a proposal to convert the much nearer sport aviation-serving Katowice-Muchowiec Airport into a so-called city airport, a second international airport for smaller, business-oriented traffic.
Railways
- Standard gauge railway
The first railroad reached this area in 1846 (the Upper Silesia Railway, in Polish: Kolej Górnośląska; in German: Oberschlesische Eisenbahn). Nowadays Katowice is one of the main railway nodes and exchange points in Silesia and in Poland. Cheap and fairly efficient, the Polskie Koleje Państwowe (Polish State-Owned Railways) in the area of the proposed union constitute one of the main transport hubs in Poland (the most important one being Warsaw). The main railroad station is Katowice Central Station. Both the domestic and the international connections run from there to almost every major city in Poland and Europe.
- Broad gauge railway
Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa (known by its acronym LHS, English: Broad gauge metallurgy line) is Sławków near Katowice is the longest broad gauge railway line in Poland. Except for this one line, and a few very short stretches near border crossings, Poland uses the standard gauge for its railways, unlike Russia and the other former countries of the Soviet Union. The line runs on a single track for almost 400 km from the Polish-Ukrainian border, crossing it just east of Hrubieszów, to Sławków (one of the suburbs of the proposed union). It is used only for freight transport, mainly iron ore and coal. It is the westernmost broad gauge railway line in Europe that is connected to the broad gauge rail system of the countries which before 1991 constituted the Soviet Union. The line is managed by PKP Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa Spólka z o.o. company. Previous name of this line was Linia Hutniczo Siarkowa (English: Metallurgy - Sulfur Line), but after sulfur ceased to be transported on the line its name was changed.
- Narrow gauge railway
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2009) |
Water transport
In Gliwice near Katowice operates Gliwice Canal (pl:Kanal Gliwicki) which links Gliwice Harbour to the Oder River and thus to the waterway network across much of Germany and to the Baltic Sea.
Kłodnica Canal (pl: Kanal Klodnicki) is no longer used to transport goods, but it is popular with leisure cruisers.
Sports
Sports facilities
The Silesian Stadium is located between Chorzów and Katowice. It is a national stadium of Poland, more than 50 international matches of Poland national football team were played here as well as around 30 matches of UEFA competitions. There were also a Speedway World Championship, Speedway Grand Prix of Europe and a number many concerts featuring international stars.
There are many sports centers in the city as well. Most of these facilities are swimming pools and sports halls, mostly built by the municipality in the past several years.
Katowice is a city where you can enjoy active leisure as well. Tourists can relax playing tennis or squash, doing water sports also sailing (for example - in Dolina Trzech Stawów), horse-riding (in Wesoła Fala and Silesian culture and refreshment park), cycling or going to one of numerous excellently equipped fitness clubs. Near the city center are sporting facilities like swimming pools (for example "Bugla", "Rolna") and in neighbourhood - golf courses (in Siemianowice Śląskie).
Sports clubs
- GKS Katowice - men's football, (Polish Cup winner: 1986, 1991, 1993; Polish SuperCup winner: 1991, 1995; 1st league in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 seasons). ice hockey team Champion :1958,1960,1962 Gòrnik Katowice / GKS 1965,1968,1970.
- 1. FC Kattowitz - football club, vice-champion of Poland: 1927; champion of Upper Silesia: 1907, 1908, 1909, 1913, 1922, 1932, 1945
- AZS AWF Katowice - various sports, women's handball team playing in Polish Women's Handball Superleague, men's basketball team playing in Second league, fencing section - a lot of medals in the Polish Championship
- Naprzód Janów Katowice - hockey club playing in Polish Hockey Superleague, vice-champion of Poland (5x): 1971, 1973, 1977, 1989, 1992; bronze medal (7x): 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1987; Polish Cup (1x): 1970.
- AZS US Katowice - various sports, a lot of medals in the Polish Championship in various sports
- HKS Szopienice - various sports, a lot of medals in the Polish and Europe and World Championship in weightlifting
- Silesia Miners - American football club playing in Polish American Football League, Polish vice-champion in 2007
- Jango Katowice - futsal club playing in Polish Futsal Superleague; Polish Cup (1x): 2007; bronze medal Polish Championship (2x): 2001, 2007
- Rozwój Katowice - football club playing in Polish Third League
- MK Katowice - football club playing in Polish Fourth League
- Hetman Szopienice - chess club, a lot of medals in the Polish Championship
- Sparta Katowice - various sports, a lot of medals in the Polish Championship in various sports
- Policyjny Klub Sportowy Katowice - various sports, a lot of medals in the Polish Championship in various sports
- AWF Mickiewicz Katowice - basketball club
- Silesian Flying Club (Aeroklub Śląski)
Defunct sports clubs:
- Diana Kattowitz - football club
- Germania Kattowitz - football club
- KS Baildon Katowice - various sports, a lot of medals in the Polish Championship in various sports
- Pogoń Katowice - various sports, a lot of medals in the Polish Championship in various sports
Sports events
Notable residents
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Katowice_-_U%C5%9A_-_WPiA.jpg/260px-Katowice_-_U%C5%9A_-_WPiA.jpg)
- Hans Sachs (1877-1945), serologist
- Kurt Goldstein (1878-1965), neurologist
- Franz Leopold Neumann (1900-1954), politician
- Hans Bellmer (1902-1975), surrealist photographer
- Maria Goeppert-Mayer (1906-1972), physicist
- Chaskel Besser (born 1923), Orthodox rabbi
- Kazimierz Kutz (born 1929), film director and politician
- Wojciech Kilar (born 1932), classical and film music composer
- Henryk Górecki (born 1933), classical composer
- Henryk Broder (born 1946), journalist
- Jerzy Kukuczka (1948-1989), alpine and high altitude climber
- Alexander Ulfig (born 1962), philosopher and sociologist
Twin towns
Katowice is twinned with:
See also
References
- ^ 2,746,000 according to scientific description by Tadeusz Markowski "Funkcje Metropolitalne Pięciu Stolic Województw Wschodnich"
- ^ 2,733,000 (2,928,000 - counting whole powiats adjacent to the city) according to scientific description by Paweł Swianiewicz and Urszula Klimska "Społeczne i polityczne zróżnicowanie aglomeracji w Polsce" - Paweł Swianiewicz, Urszula Klimska; University of Warsaw 2005
- ^ 2,775,000 according to citypopulation.de
- ^ 2,710,397 according to Eurostat - Larger Urban Zones (LUZ): Urban Audit.org
- ^ "Powierzchnia i ludność w przekroju terytorialnym w 2008" (in Polish). Central Statistical Office in Poland. 1 January 2008.
In 42 adjacent cities and towns in conurbation, reside a total of 2,764,971 peoples on 2411 km², density: 1146 hab./km2
- ^ European Spatial Planning Observation Network (ESPON)[1]
- ^ Powierzchnia i ludność w przekroju terytorialnym w 2008 - Central Statistical Office in Poland ISSN 1505-5507 , 13.08.2008
- ^ "Von Krakau bis Danzig" (in German). Thomas Urban. 2004. Retrieved 2009-03-21.
- ^ Documents on British foreign policy, 1919-1939 Great Britain. Foreign Office, Ernest Llewellyn Woodward page 44
- ^ "Local weather forecast: Katowice".
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dateformat=
ignored (help) - ^ Template:Pl icon dziennik.pl - "17 śląskich miast chce się połączyć w Silesię", 11 December 2006)
- ^ "Wydawnictwo Muzeum Śląskiego: Lech Szaraniec "Katowice w dawnej i współczesnej fotografii".
- ^ Dziennik Zachodni Katowice - "Będą dwie Mariackie", 3 sierpnia 2007
- ^ "Bezrobotni oraz stopa bezrobocia wg województw, podregionów i powiatów (stan w końcu lipca 2008 r.)".
- ^ "Voivodship Cities basic statistical data" - Central Statistical Office in Poland, ISSN 1642-574X , 31.06.2008
- ^ "Groningen - Partner Cities". © 2008 Gemeente Groningen, Kreupelstraat 1,9712 HW Groningen. Retrieved 2008-12-08.