Odrze

Odrze is a rarely encountered spelling that may be used in some texts to refer to the Oder River, known in Polish as Odra. In standard Polish usage, the river is called Odra, while in German it is Oder. The Oder/Odra is a major Central European waterway that rises in the Czech Republic and flows northeast through Poland before forming part of the border between Poland and Germany and emptying into the Baltic Sea via the Szczecin Lagoon.

The river’s course runs roughly 854 kilometers in total, with a substantial portion traversing Poland where it passes cities such as Wrocław, Szczecin, and runding along the border toward Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice. Its basin also collects waters from streams and tributaries in the Czech Republic and Germany, making it an important transboundary hydrological system. The Oder supports navigation, water supply, and industrial activity, and its network of canals and ports enables regional commerce and transportation.

Historically, the Oder basin has been a significant crossroads in Central Europe. In the 20th century, the river and its valleys figured prominently in border discussions and postwar boundary arrangements, notably the Oder-Neisse line established after World War II, which defined part of Poland’s western border. Environmental management in the Oder basin involves cooperation among Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany, addressing issues such as water quality, habitat protection, and invasive species.

Etymologically, the standard Polish name is Odra; odrze is not a common or official form and may reflect a typographical variant or historical usage. See also Odra/Oder for authoritative naming.