Silesia

Silesia (-Latin, Polish ?l?sk, German Schlesien, Czech Slezsko) is a historical region in central Europe. Most of it is now within the borders of Poland, with small parts in the Czech Republic and Germany. Silesia is located along the upper and middle Oder River (Odra) and along the Sudetes mountain range. In the local Silesian language or dialect, the region is called ?lonsk or ?lunsk. The largest city of Silesia is Wroc?aw.

Demographics

Modern Silesia is inhabited mostly by Poles and Silesians, but also by minorities of Germans, Czechs, and Moravians. The last Polish census of 2002 showed that the Silesians are the largest ethnic minority in Poland, Germans being the second — both groups are located mostly in Silesia. The Czech part of Silesia is inhabited by Czechs, Moravians, and Poles.

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Prior to the Second World War, Silesia was inhabited by Germans, Poles, and Czechs. The 1905, a census showed that 75% of the population was German and 25% Polish. During and after World War II, most German-Silesians fled Silesia, were evacuated, expelled, or emigrated (see German exodus from Eastern Europe); a large group of Silesians today live in Germany. In order to smooth their integration into the German society, they were organized into officially recognized organisations, like the Landsmannschaft Schlesien, financed from the federal budget. One of its most notable but controversial spokesmen was the CDU politician Herbert Hupka. The prevailing public opinion in Germany is that these organisations will achieve reconciliation with the Polish Silesians, which is gradually happening.

Related Topics:
1905 - World War II - Evacuated - German exodus from Eastern Europe - Landsmannschaft Schlesien - Herbert Hupka

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