Poland/Lower Silesia/Wroclaw

Poland

With a population of 38.0 million, was the largest of the 10 new entrants to the E.U. in May 2004.

BRIEF HISTORY:

Poland has experienced a large amount of ill fortune over the years, the most recent and well known being the Nazi occupation at the outbreak of World War II, this was then followed by forty years of communism under the Soviets famous “Iron Curtain”.

Since Poland’s  independence  in  the late 1980’s the economy has been struggling to compete with the larger economic powers within Europe.  The real breakthrough came in May 2004 when Poland became a member of the European Union, since this date the economy has grown from strength to strength with the most notable gains emerging in 2005 – lower unemployment, property price increases and increased import / export trade. 

Lower Silesia or Dolny Slask

Lower Silesia is situated in the South-Western part of Poland.  Western and Southern borders of the region are also frontiers with Germany and the Czech Republic respectively.  Lower Silesia is linked with these countries via 37 border checkpoints, i.e. 19,2% of the total number of border checkpoints in Poland.  It is evidence of openness and accessibility and an excellent localisation of the region in central Europe. Trans-border co-operation and economic exchange are one of Lower Silesia’s assets.    The region covers an area of around 20,000 sq km and is populated by approximately 3 million people - 9% of the population.

Lower Silesia is without doubt the most beautiful region of Poland.  Exceptional landscape of this region is created by the picturesque Sudetic Mountains and the charming Silesian Lowland with the vast area of Odra valley.  Large parts of Lower Silesia are forested including the Sudetan  and  Lower Silesian forests.  There are two national parks and numerous nature reserves, a number of large artificial lakes, and interesting waterfalls.

There are a  number of tourist attractions in the Lower Silesian region including : the Sudetan, Stolowe, Karkonosze and Rudawy Janowickie mountains; the Klodzko spas, a large number of castles, many beautiful forests and lakes, and several long-extinct  volcanoes.  Among the many mineral springs there are some thermal and radioactive ones! 

The climate of Lower Silesia is mild, and the lowlands of the Province are the warmest part of Poland.  The winters here are cold with frequent snow, and the summers are long and very hot. 

According to analysts worldwide, Lower Silesia ranks among Poland’s fastest developing regions.  The factors making it attractive to business are the following: Lower Silesia is one of Poland’s border provinces, it has very good home and international rail, road and rail connections, its local market is very large, while at the same time the potential of the local industry is significant and the human resources are ample and varied.  The important assets of the region which guarantee the success of Lower Silesia are the inhabitants-young, well-educated, ambitious, creative and active in business.  Since the early Middle Age, the region has been a crossing point of the main European trade routes.  Lower Silesia housed a large number of Europe’s first factories in many branches of industry.  The modern industry of the region is varied, the trade and service well-developed, which makes Lower Silesia immune to fluctuations to economy and gives plenty of cooperation opportunities.  

Landscape, tourist, economic, agricultural, culture and scientific values create excellent conditions for the development of this region.  Great dynamic of growth of the Lower Silesia in all aspects results in this that recently is the second region of Poland taking into GDP per capita. Many international companies are expanding their Portfolio and setting up large business in this part of Poland.

Favourable climate and good quality soils in the central part of Lower Silesia foster the development of agriculture and the food processing industry.  The natural conditions like the mountains, large forests and lakes with favourable microclimate and plenty of spas-as well as many historical buildings and rich cultural life make Lower Silesia particularly attractive for tourists.  This region is very famous for international health resorts.  It has numerous world standard medical and health care facilities offering a wide range of treatments.  The area attracts many Poles along with tourists from all over the world.

The capital and major tourists attraction of Lower Silesia is the city of Wroclaw, formerly Breslau (under German rule) and is one of the country’s main economic, scientific and cultural centres of international significance.  

Wroclaw

Wroclaw is the economical, cultural and intellectual capital of Lower Silesia, located in south-western Poland, 160 km from Germany and 120 km from the Czech Republic.  It is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Poland.  Situated at the foot of Sudety Mountains, upon the Odra River and cut through by its numerous tributaries and canals, Wroclaw is an exceptional city of 12 islands and112 bridges that make up the city have ganed it title of the “VENICE OF EASTERN EUROPE”.

The city is considered by EU spatial planning institutions as one of the most significant centres of development and innovation in the nascent new European space.  As Poland’s fourth largest city with a population of 700,000 inhabitants Wroclaw is a centre  of industry, communication, transport, highways and river transport which ensures the connection with the whole World.  It belongs to one of the largest university centres in the country.  The city’s intellectual life is focused around 13 academic schools including Wroclaw University and the Technical University.  With the outstanding Gothic, Baroque and Nouveau architecture Wroclaw is Poland’s most exciting city and is also one of the most engaging towns in Central Europe. It is not rare to find this beautiful city compared to a condensed version of Prague and preferred by many to Krakow.  Gothic spires soar into the skyline and only three other European cities can boast more bridges. Dominated by canals and twisting cobbled streets Wroclaw stands as one of the undisputed highlights of Poland.

Wroclaw’s main draw is a picturesque, historical and very unique old market place, the Rynek Square brimming with Gothic and Renaissance architecture.  The Square is the center of attraction and the pinnacle of Polish history and modern day living.  With unusual beauty, lots of history, friendly atmosphere and even more friendly people the Rynek Square draws the attention from thousands of tourists every year.  

Wroclaw is bursting at the seams with cosy cafes, excellent restaurants, charming hotels, fabulous shops, impressive pubs and bars and stays busy till dawn.  The beautiful city has nine museums, an opera house, symphony orchestra, several galleries and theatres, Philharmonic hall and music centers.  Wroclaw also boasts one of the largest zoological centers in the whole of Europe along with several large parks and many more tourist attractions. 

Due to Wroclaw’s location directly above the largest motorway in Poland the A4, great dynamic of growth exists in all aspects.  Wroclaw has become the hub for business and commercial activities.  The city is appreciated by renowned corporations which have located their investments here, these include:  Ryan Air, Toshiba, Tesco, L.G Philips, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo, Siemens, Castorama and Ikea to name but a few.

Wroclaw is a wonderful city of interesting history and unique beauty. It is appreciated both by inhabitants and visitors.  It is recognized as a great investment by locals and foreign investors.  It is a pleasant place to visit and to do business.