Pomeranian Voivodeship

Lore & Background

The voivodeship was established on January 1, 1999, out of the former voivodeships of Gdańsk, Elbląg, and Słupsk, pursuant to the Polish local government reforms adopted in 1997. It is bordered by the West Pomeranian Voivodeship to the west, Greater Poland and the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship to the south, the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship to the east, and the Baltic Sea to the north. It also shares a short land border with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) on the Vistula Spit. The bulk of the voivodeship is located in the historic region of Pomerania, with the territories on the eastern bank of the Vistula being part of Powiśle. The Pomeranian part of the region comprises most of Pomerelia (the easternmost part of Pomerania) with its subregions of Kashubia and Kociewie, whereas the western part, around Słupsk, is part of Farther Pomerania.

Reader's Guide

The province is one of rich cultural heritage. The Tricity urban area, consisting of Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot, is one of the main cultural, commercial, and educational centres of Poland. Gdańsk and Gdynia are two of the major Polish seaports, the first erected by Mieszko I of Poland in the Middle Ages, the latter built in the interwar period. Amongst the most recognisable landmarks of the region are the historic city centre of Gdańsk filled with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces, the Museum of the National Anthem in Będomin, located at the birthplace of Józef Wybicki, poet and politician, author of the national anthem of Poland, the largest medieval churches of Poland (the St. Mary's Church in Gdańsk and the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Pelplin) and the Malbork Castle. The voivodeship also includes the narrow Hel Peninsula and the Polish half of the Vistula Spit. Other tourist destinations include Wejherowo, Sopot, Jurata, Łeba, Władysławowo, Puck, Krynica Morska, Ustka, Jastarnia, Kuźnica, Bytów and many fishing ports, lighthouses, and marinas.

Did You Know?

• The name Pomerania derives from the Slavic po more, meaning 'by the sea' or 'on the sea'.
• The voivodeship contains 7 cities and 35 towns.
• The Gross domestic product (GDP) of the province was 29.2 billion euros in 2018, accounting for 5.9% of Polish economic output.
• The three busiest railway stations of northern Poland are located in the voivodeship: Gdynia Główna, Gdańsk Główny and Gdańsk Wrzeszcz.
• Protected areas include Słowiński National Park and Tuchola Forest National Park, both UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves.