Malopolska

Malopolska, or Lesser Poland, designates both a historic region in southern Poland and the contemporary Malopolskie Voivodeship. The term contrasts with Wielkopolska (Greater Poland) and reflects the traditional division of the Polish lands. Historically, Malopolska was a core area of the early Polish state, with Krakow serving as the royal capital for centuries. The modern voivodeship, created in 1999, covers parts of that historic area and surrounding lands, and remains a major cultural and economic region.

Geographically, Malopolska spans the Carpathian foothills and the Tatra Mountains in the south, with Krakow as its capital and largest city. Other important urban centers include Tarnow and Nowy Sacz, as well as the town of Oswiecim. The region borders Slovakia to the south and connects Poland's routes to the Carpathian basin.

Heritage is a key feature: Krakow's Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Wieliczka Salt Mine is another UNESCO site within the region. The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum near Oswiecim is a designated World Heritage Site. The Jagiellonian University in Krakow, founded in the 14th century, is one of Europe’s oldest universities.

Economically, Malopolska is driven by services, industry, higher education, and tourism. The region attracts millions of visitors annually for its historic architecture, mountain resorts such as Zakopane, and natural landscapes. As of the 2020s, the voivodeship has a population of roughly 3.4 million residents and covers about 15,000 square kilometers.