Almost all states are somehow divided into regions, districts, etc., depending on the structure of the country. In this regard, Poland is no exception. The administrative division of the state implies the division of the country into voivodships. These units are entrusted with special functions of self-government. The voivodeships of Poland have their capitals - the largest administrative centers in each of the regions of the country.
What is a voivodship?
Voivodships are called the largest administrative units of a given state. Executive functions belong to the marshal. Represent regions in the national Council of Ministers of Voivods.
What are the powers of the authorities of administrative units? First of all, these are issues that are not resolved at the city and oblast levels. The voivodship of Poland has the right to solve problems associated with the distribution of funds, trade within the region. Also in their competence are issues relating to education, both school and university, as well as investment.
Capitals of voivodeships
Each province has its own capital. It is the largest city in the region in which local authorities are located. The Voivodship Center in Poland, as a rule, is a cultural, economic and political center. The state, in accordance with the 1999 reform, is divided into 16 administrative units with its capitals.
It should be said about the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship with its center in Olsztyn, Lodz with the capital Lodz, Masovian with Warsaw, Opole with the city of Opole, Sventoszk and the city of Kielce, Greater Poland (Poznan); Lublin (Lublin); Lower Silesian (Wroclaw); Podlaski (Bialystok); Silesian (Katowice); Pomeranian (Gdansk); West Pomeranian (Szczecin); Lubuskie (Gorzow Wielkopolski and Zielona Gora); Subcarpathian (Rzeszow); Kuyavian-Pomeranian (Bydgoszcz and Torun), as well as Lesser Poland (Krakow).
Historical reference
According to the original plan, it was supposed to divide the state into 12 parts, but later on they took as a basis the scheme, which was considered in 1975 and provided for division into 17 large regions. Thus, the 1999 reform reduced the voivodship of Poland from 49 to 16. Moreover, a sufficient number of large cities lost the title of capital. Below you will find information about some regions of the state.
Masovian Voivodeship
The largest in the state is precisely the Masovian Voivodeship. Poland owes him his famous capital Warsaw. In this part of the country there are a large number of famous attractions and historical monuments. Travelers love to come to see the wonderful palaces, dense forests and villages that open up a lot of new things for travelers. Here you can have a wonderful rest.
The usual tourist route in the Masovian land includes a visit to Plock, Vyshogrud, Modlin, Mlawa, Ciechanow, as well as the castle in Czersk.
The region is home to F. Chopin and J. Kokhanowski, which also attracts those who travel to Poland.
In this province there is an opportunity to plunge into the waters of such rivers as the Bug, Narew, Vkra, as well as swim in the Zegrzy Gulf. The land of Mazovia will spoil travelers with a paste of fish, saltseson and honey beer.
Lublin Voivodeship
The voivodeships of Poland also include the Lubelskie, or the Lubelskie Voivodeship. Poles living in this region honor guests with such traditional food as tsybuliks, pralines, and you can also taste raspberry and currant wine with a wonderful smell.
The capital of the province is Lublin, which has an ancient history. Here you can feel like a participant in a real knightly tournament, visit the territory of the Old Market, look at the Grudskoy Brahma, etc.
Do you think that the atmosphere of past centuries is difficult to feel in Eastern Europe? The opposite is proved by the Lublin Voivodeship. Poland provides an opportunity to feel like a resident of the medieval city. In addition to historical attractions, there are a large number of natural monuments. What are the forests, spurs of the Carpathian mountains and nature reserves like Kazimierz? A sense of the greatness of nature will flood over you in these places, so that positive emotions and aesthetic pleasure are provided.
Monuments and places to relax in towns are considered to be the pearl of the Lubelskie Voivodeship, among which are the sights of Nalenczów, Radyn Podlaski, Helm, Pulawy, etc. They can be an ideal refuge for those who seek an atmosphere of peace, and also crave to enjoy the views of ancient architecture , learn more about Polish history, folk myths and legends.
Pomeranian Voivodeship
One of the most picturesque and attractive for tourists voivodships is Pomeranian. Here, travelers relax in pensions on Lake Chazhikovsky, as well as in the valley of the Vistula River. The traditions of the ancient Slavic Pomors combined with the waters of the Baltic Sea are an excellent combination for a great holiday.
Pomeranian Voivodeship (Poland) will present you with a medieval tale of the Teutonic Castles (Malbork and Kwidzin), a unique atmosphere of emerald Kashub and a sandy coast with magnificent scenery.
You can taste delicious cabbage rolls with liver and mushrooms, Kashubian dumplings, as well as a carrot cake, the recipe of which the inhabitants of the Voivodeship keep in the strictest confidence.
Among the interesting cities of the region should be called Ustka, Leba, as well as Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot in Tricity - one of the largest metropolitan areas of the country. Tourists come from year to year to enjoy the beauty of the sand dunes in the Slovinsky Reserve, as well as the wild Tukholsky Bor, where you can go kayaking on the Brda or Vda river.
If you are looking for the atmosphere of a medieval Eastern European city, you should look at the old bridges in Tczew or learn more about the unusual secrets of the Kotsevskaya fortress. Pomorie will also provide the traveler with the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the dunes and crossings in uławy.