Zagłębie Dąbrowskie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zagłębie Dąbrowskie (literally Coal Fields of Dąbrowa; [za'gwɛ̃bʲɛ dɔ̃'brɔvskʲɛ] ) is a historical and geographical region in Poland. It forms a part of the Lesser Poland, though it shares many cultural and historical features of the neighbouring Silesia.
[edit] Geography
Zagłębie is a highly industrialised and densely populated region of southern Lesser Poland, bordering Silesia through the Brynica river (running between Sosnowiec and Katowice). Apart from the three main cultural and industrial centres of the area (Dąbrowa Górnicza, Sosnowiec and Będzin), the region also includes a number of smaller cities. Among them are Czeladź, Wojkowice, Sławków, Siewierz, Psary, Bobrowniki and Mierzęcice.
Since the borders of the region were never clearly defined, sometimes also other towns are listed among cities of Zagłębie. These are: Jaworzno, Zawiercie, Poręba, Włodowice, Kroczyce, Ogrodzieniec, Łazy and Olkusz.
[edit] History
Until 19th century the Zagłębie shared the fate of the region of Lesser Poland, with the exception of a brief period between 12th century and 15th century when it was a part of the Duchy of Siewierz, itself being a Polish fief and a property of the bishops of Kraków. After the Partitions of Poland, in 1793 it was briefly annexed to the Prussian province of New Silesia. In 1807 however, during the Napoleonic Wars and the Polish-Austrian War it was liberated and became part of the Duchy of Warsaw.
After the Congress of Vienna, along with the bigger part of the Duchy, the Zagłębie became part of the Russian-controlled Kingdom of Poland. Simultaneously, in both Silesia and Zagłębie large deposits of coal were discovered and with the opening of the Warsaw-Vienna railroad in 1859, the region became the most industrialised part of the Kingdom. Although developing simultaneously to Silesia, the region remained outside of German influence and remained largely Polish, the fact that is still a source of certain animosity between Silesians and Zagłębiacy of Zagłębie. Zagłębie is sometimes called "Red", because of its Socialist or Communist tradition, Silesia is more conservative, religious. Zagłębie people speak standard Polish, Silesians speak Silesian.
After Poland regained her independence in 1918, Zagłębie became part of the Kielce Voivodship, while the formerly German-held Silesia became part of a separate Silesian Voivodship. After the WWII most of Zagłębie was attached to the Silesian Voivodship, later Katowice Voivodship and recently Silesian Voivodship.
