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Katowice, the capital of Upper Silesia, is also its main city for industry and commerce. A historic area of Poland located along the upper and central parts of the Odra River, Upper Silesia is part of Silesia, which, according to tradition, is divided into Lower Silesia (Dolny ¦l±sk in Polish), Upper Silesia (Górny ¦l±sk) and Teschen Silesia (¦l±sk Cieszyński). The name Silesia, which first appeared in official documents in the 11th century, has its origins in the name of Slavonic tribe called Slezan, members of which lived in the area from the 7th century on. At the present time Silesia, with a population of four million, is a center for mining, metallurgy, and electric power production and, as such, is one of the most important industrial areas in Poland.
The first ironworks
and other factories started to operate in Upper Silesia as early
as the 14th century. Until the l9th century the area was not highly
organized into towns, but names such as Katowice and the Karbowo,
Brynów, and Bogucice estates were used. In the 19th century numerous
coal mines and steelworks were established. For example, in 1804
one of the biggest steelworks - the Baildon - which is still active,
was opened by Prince Hohenlohe together with the Irish engineer
John Baildon. It was the first steelwork in the world where domestic
coke was burned.
The civic rights for Katowice to become a city
were obtained on the 11th of November, 1865, but plans for extension
and development of the area had been prepared much earlier. Katowice's
location near the borders of both Prussia and Russia was advantageous
for trade, and an intensive enlargement and development of the city
started immediately after the civic rights were granted. From 1869
to 1872, almost 200 new residential buildings were raised. Simultaneously,
the population increased: in 1783 there were 294 people living in
Katowice; by 1825 the figure had grown to 675; in 1861 it reached
3780. The headquarters of coal mines, steelworks, coal partnerships,
and several other organizations began to operate there. After the
First World War, Katowice City was incorporated by Germany. A period
of struggle for independence called by historians the Silesian Insurrections,
ensued. Eventually, the area became part of Poland.
In independent Poland Katowice existed
as a capital of the province with great autonomy. Important institutions
were established such as the Silesian Parllament, Bishop's Curia
of the Silesian Diocese, various consulates, and banks. As the city
became a cultural center, the Silesian Musical Conservatory, Silesian
Technical College, and other educational institutions were established.
It was in Katowice that the first skyscraper in Poland was built.
The city developed rapidly between 1922 and 1939 when the population
reached 125, 000 inhabitants, 90 % of whom were of Polish origin.
Incorporation of nearby land (communes such as Piotrowice, Panewniki,
Wełnowiec, Ochojec, and Zadole) had a direct influence on the process
of enlargement of Katowice. In 1960, the city of Szopienice, together
with neighbouring lands, joined in. Several new housing estates
were built, including Koszutka and Nowa Ligota, and a new park was
opened.
In addition to the Medical University of Silesia, there are several other schools of higher education operating in Katowice: the School of Economies (opened in 1950), Silesian University (1968), a division of the Academy of Art in Krakow, the Silesian Scientific Institute (1957), the Academy of Physical Education (1970), and the Higher Theological Seminary of Silesia (1980). Cultural institutions which deserve special attention are the reconstructed Silesian Museum, the Stanisław Wyspiański Theatre, Silesian Philharmonic, Polish Radio Orchestra, the TV station, and several radio stations. There are many publishing houses producing periodicals, journals, magazines, and daily newspapers. There is also a huge sport center, Hala Widowiskowo-Sportowa called "Spodek"(first picture at this page click).
At present Katowice occupies 165 square kilometers of land. The population is almost 500, 000.