Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
🗺️

Kuyavian–Pomeranian Voivodeship

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The Kuyavian–Pomeranian Voivodeship is a province in mid-northern Poland.

Torun rynek staromiejski (2)
Torun rynek staromiejski (2)

It is one of 16 voivodeships in the country. This region sits on the boundary of two historic lands. These areas are Kuyavia and Pomerania. The province takes its name from these two places. It serves as a vital link between different parts of Poland.

Stare Miasto, Ratusz Staromiejski w Toruniu
Stare Miasto, Ratusz Staromiejski w Toruniu

Governance in this province is unique because it is split. The regional capital functions are shared between two cities. Bydgoszcz and Toruń act as joint capitals. Bydgoszcz is the seat of the voivode. The voivode is a governor appointed by the Polish Prime Minister. Toruń is the seat of the Regional Assembly, known as the sejmik. This assembly is elected by the people. The sejmik elects an executive leader called the voivodeship marshal. Currently, Ewa Mes is the voivode and Piotr Całbecki is the marshal.

Stary Rynek w Bydgoszczy edit
Stary Rynek w Bydgoszczy edit

The province was officially formed on 1 January 1999. This happened because of local government reforms in 1998. Before this, the land belonged to three different provinces. These were the Bydgoszcz, Toruń, and Włocławek voivodeships. The area also includes pieces of Dobrzyń Land and Chełmno Land. It even includes parts of Greater Poland. This history is visible in the many old buildings. You can see Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

Katedra p.w. Wniebowzięcia NMP we Włocławku1 N. Chylińska
Katedra p.w. Wniebowzięcia NMP we Włocławku1 N. Chylińska

Economic activity in the region is quite strong. In 2018, the Gross domestic product, or GDP, was 21.8 billion euros. This made up 4.4% of the total Polish economic output. The GDP per capita was 17,300 euros. This was 57% of the EU27 average. Transportation is a very important part of the economy. The province is a major node in the Polish transport system. The A1 and S5 highways pass through the region.

A1-PL
A1-PL
S5-PL
S5-PL

Bydgoszcz is a major hub for moving people and goods. It is home to the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Airport. This airport connects the province to Warsaw and Europe. Bydgoszcz also hosts PESA SA. This is Poland's largest producer of railway and tram products. The province has many train connections. Fast PKP Intercity trains run between the main stations. These connect Bydgoszcz and Toruń to the capital. Regional trains are also available on electrified and unelectrified lines.

Bdg halaLuczniczka 17 07-2013
Bdg halaLuczniczka 17 07-2013

Tourism is a significant part of local life. Toruń is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stare Miasto, Ratusz Staromiejski w Toruniu
Stare Miasto, Ratusz Staromiejski w Toruniu

It is the birthplace of the scientist Nicolaus Copernicus. Visitors can visit the Copernicus House or the Gingerbread Museum. Grudziądz is famous for its medieval granaries along the Vistula River.

The region also has famous spa towns. Ciechocinek is known for its large graduation towers.

Ciechocinek tężnia nr 3 (03)
Ciechocinek tężnia nr 3 (03)

Inowrocław is another famous salt resort center.

Inowroclaw hotel Bast
Inowroclaw hotel Bast

The landscape includes many protected areas. There are nine different Landscape Parks in the province. These include the Tuchola Landscape Park and the Vistula Landscape Park.

Wiecbork z lotu ptaka3
Wiecbork z lotu ptaka3

The province is also divided into 23 counties, or powiats. There are 4 city counties and 19 land counties. These are further divided into 144 gminas. This structure helps manage the many towns and cities. Sports also play a large role in the community. Speedways and volleyball have the largest following in the province.

512 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (16)
File:A1-PL.svg
A1-PL.svg
File:S5-PL.svg
S5-PL.svg
File:Stary Rynek w Bydgoszczy edit.jpg
Stary Rynek w Bydgoszczy edit.jpg
File:Torun rynek staromiejski (2).jpg
Torun rynek staromiejski (2).jpg
File:Katedra p.w. Wniebowzięcia NMP we Włocławku1 N. Chylińska.JPG
Katedra p.w. Wniebowzięcia NMP we...
File:Spichrze w Grudziadzu.jpg
Spichrze w Grudziadzu.jpg
File:Inowroclaw hotel Bast.jpg
Inowroclaw hotel Bast.jpg
File:Brodnica, Duży Rynek (cropped).JPG
Brodnica, Duży Rynek (cropped).JPG
File:Wiecbork z lotu ptaka3.jpg
Wiecbork z lotu ptaka3.jpg
File:Stare Miasto, Ratusz Staromiejski w Toruniu.jpg
Stare Miasto, Ratusz Staromiejski w Toruniu.jpg
File:Ciechocinek tężnia nr 3 (03).jpg
Ciechocinek tężnia nr 3 (03).jpg
File:Bdg DeathValley monuments2.jpg
Bdg DeathValley monuments2.jpg

+ 4 more

More to explore

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.