Silesia

Silesia (see names below) is a historical region of Central Europe that now lies mostly within Poland, with small parts in the Czech Republic and Germany. Situated along the Oder River, with the Sudeten Mountains extending across the southern border, Silesia spans 40,000 km2 (15,400 sq mi), and its population is estimated at 8,000,000. It is split into two main subregions, Lower Silesia in the west and Upper Silesia in the east. The largest city and Lower Silesia's capital is Wrocław; the historic capital of Upper Silesia is Opole. The biggest metropolitan area is the Katowice metropolitan area, the centre of which is Katowice. Parts of the Czech city of Ostrava and the German city of Görlitz are situated within Silesia's historical borders. Silesia is a heavily industrialised region, rich in natural resources, and its culture reflects its complex history and diverse influences, comprising Polish, Czech, and German elements. The region is known for its distinctive Silesian language (still spoken by a minority in Upper Silesia), richly decorated folk costumes, regional cuisine, and a mix of Gothic, Baroque, and industrial-era architecture seen in its cities and towns. The region contains many historical landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Silesia's borders and national affiliation have changed over time, both when it was a hereditary possession of noble houses and after the rise of modern nation-states, resulting in an abundance of castles and strongholds, especially in the Jelenia Góra valley. First held by Great Moravia at the end of the 9th century and Bohemia in the early 10th century, Silesia was incorporated into the early Polish state, and after its fragmentation in the 12th century it formed the Duchy of Silesia. As a result of further fragmentation, it was divided into individual duchies, ruled by various lines of the Polish Piast dynasty....