Świętochłowice

Świętochłowice

Downtown

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Coat of arms
Świętochłowice
Coordinates: 50°17′N 18°54′E / 50.283°N 18.900°E / 50.283; 18.900Coordinates: 50°17′N 18°54′E / 50.283°N 18.900°E / 50.283; 18.900
Country Poland
Voivodeship Silesian
County city county
Established 14th century
Town rights 1947
Government
 • President Dawid Kostempski
Area
 • City 13.31 km2 (5.14 sq mi)
Population (2013)
 • City 53,150
 • Density 4,000/km2 (10,000/sq mi)
 • Urban 2,746,000
 • Metro 4,620,624
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 41-600 to 41-608
Area code(s) +48 32
Car plates SW
Website www.swietochlowice.pl

Świętochłowice [ɕfjɛntɔxwɔˈvit͡sɛ] (German: Schwientochlowitz; Silesian: Śwjyntochlowicy) is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. The central district of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 million. Located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Rawa River (tributary of the Vistula).

It is situated in the Silesian Voivodeship since its formation in 1999, previously in Katowice Voivodeship, and before then, of the Autonomous Silesian Voivodeship. Świętochłowice is one of the cities of the 2.7 million conurbation - Katowice urban area and within a greater Silesian metropolitan area populated by about 5,294,000 people.[1] The population of the city is 54,525 (2008).[2]

History

The city is known since the 13th century, and received Magdeburg rights between the 13th and 14th century. In the 19th and first part of the 20th century the area rapidly industrialized (based on the numerous local resources, including coal and zinc). It was part of Germany until 1922 (although 51.9% of plebiscite voted to stay with Germany), then became part of Poland, in 1939 part of Germany again and in 1945 part of Poland. Świętochłowice was the site of the Zgoda labour camp.

Location

Świętochłowice within the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union.

Świętochłowice is situated the middle of a highly populated area of Upper Silesia and is part of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union, the largest urban center in Poland and one of the largest in Europe.

Population

Świętochłowice has about 55,500 inhabitants. The city has the highest population density in Poland and one of the highest in Europe: about 4200 inhabitants per km². The population of the entire urban area is about 3.5 million.

Climate and soil

Świętochłowice is situated in Silesian-Krakowian climate-zone. The annual precipitation totals to about 700 mm (28 in). The wettest month is July and the driest February. The average temperature is approximately −2.5 °C (27 °F) in January and 18 °C (64 °F) in July.

Brunate and swamp soils predominate in Świętochłowice.

Neighborhoods

Świętochłowice has five administrative subdivisions:

Sport

The most popular sport in Świętochłowice is motorcycle speedway. The Skałka stadium is located in the Centrum.

Sport clubs

Sportspeople of Świętochłowice in Olympic Games

Politics

The President of Świętochłowice is Dawid Kostempski from Civic Platform. He was elected in 2010.

Notable people

International relations

Twin towns - sister cities

Świętochłowice is twinned with:

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Świętochłowice.
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