Miasto

Miasto is a Polish term for an urban settlement that is typically larger and more densely developed than a village, and that has its own local government. In everyday use, miasto denotes a place with a distinct urban fabric, including streets, public spaces, a range of services, and a concentration of economic activity such as markets, offices, and cultural institutions. The exact status and rights of a miasto are usually defined by law or charter; in Poland, a locality becomes a city (miasto) by obtaining prawa miejskie (city rights) and, in some cases, by being granted the status of a city with powiat rights (miasto na prawach powiatu), which means it also serves as a county-level unit of administration.

Cities typically host administrative authorities, such as a mayor or president, a city council, and various municipal departments. They manage urban planning, housing, transportation, utilities, education, healthcare, safety, and culture. The urban form of a miasto includes a central core, streets, public squares, and often a more diverse economy than rural areas, with services, trade, industry, and research.

Historically, cities originated as centers of administration, trade, and religion. Medieval towns received charters that granted self-government, market rights, and legal autonomy, fostering growth and distinctive urban identities. In modern times, urban development has been shaped by industrialization, modernization of infrastructure, and regional planning policies.

Examples of well-known Polish cities include Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Łódź, Wrocław, and Poznań.