Zachodniopomorskie

Zachodniopomorskie, or the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, is a province in north-western Poland along the Baltic Sea. Its capital and largest city is Szczecin, a major port city at the Oder river estuary. The voivodeship covers about 22,892 square kilometers and has a population of roughly 1.7 million people. It was established in 1999 as part of Poland’s local government reforms.

Geography and notable areas: The region borders Germany to the west (across Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) and Polish voivodeships to the east and south, including Pomeranian and Lubusz. The coastline features beaches and coastal towns, while the Szczecin Lagoon and the Oder delta add diverse aquatic landscapes. The Polish part of Usedom Island lies within the voivodeship, and Wolin National Park on Wolin Island is a major protected area, complemented by other landscape parks and natural reserves. Key cities besides Szczecin include Kołobrzeg, Koszalin, Stargard, Świnoujście, and Goleniów.

Economy and infrastructure: The ports of Szczecin and Świnoujście are important hubs for maritime and river traffic. The region’s economy includes shipping, shipbuilding, chemical and light industries, and tourism, especially along the Baltic coast. Transportation corridors feature the A6 highway to Germany and railway connections linking to national and European networks.

History and demographics: The area forms part of the historic Pomerania. After World War II, borders shifted west and populations changed accordingly. Since 1999, Zachodniopomorskie has functioned as a Polish voivodeship, with Szczecin as its administrative center.