Katowice

Katowice (pronounce: , original former Polish name K?towicze, Czech Katovice, German Kattowitz) is an important city of the historical region of Upper Silesia in southern Poland on the Klodnica and Rawa rivers.

History

The area around Katowice, Upper Silesia, was inhabited by ethnic Poles since the 10th century. It was ruled by the Silesian Piasts dynasty until the partitions of Poland in 1795. The city itself was founded in the 19th century, a period while the area was under Prussian rule, and Katowice gained city status in 1865. Mainly inhabited by Poles, Katowice became part of the Second Polish Republic following the Silesian Uprisings throughout the Silesian region between 1918 and 1921. In 1921 the majority of the population decided in a poll to let Kattowitz stay in Germany, but the city became part of Poland.

Related Topics:
Upper Silesia - Piasts - Dynasty - Partitions of Poland - 1795 - Prussian - 1865 - Second Polish Republic - Silesian Uprisings - 1918 - 1921

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The city flourished due to large mineral (especially coal) deposits in the nearby mountains. Extensive city growth and prosperity depended on coal mining and steel industries, which took off during the Industrial Revolution. But recently, due to economic reforms there is a shift away from heavy industry, and towards small businesses.

Related Topics:
Coal - Industrial Revolution - Economic - Heavy industry - Small businesses

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Between 1953-1956 it was renamed Stalinogród - "Stalin City" by Polish communists.

Related Topics:
1953 - 1956 - Stalin - Polish communists

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Severe ecological damage to the natural 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 post-communist Polish government have reversed much of the harm that was done.

Related Topics:
Ecological damage - Natural environment - Second World War - People's Republic of Poland - Post-communist Polish government

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