Krynica-Zdrój

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Krynica-Zdrój

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Krynica-Zdrój

Coordinates: 49°24′42″N 20°57′18″E / 49.41167, 20.955

Country

Poland

Area

- Total

40.17 km² (15.5 sq mi)

Elevation

590 m (1,936 ft)

Population (2006)

- Total

11,243

- Density

279.9/km² (724.9/sq mi)

Postal code

33-380

Website: http://www.krynica-zdroj.pl

Health resort

Krynica-Zdrój [krɨˈnit͡sa ˈzdruj] (till 31 December 2001 Krynica) (Rusyn: Krenycja) is a town in southern Poland in Beskid Sądecki mountains, inhabited by over eleven thousand people. It is the biggest spa town in Poland called The Pearl of Polish Spas; a tourist and winter sport centre. It was first recorded in 1547 and became a town in 1889. Part of the inhabitants belong to the Lemko minority.

The 1931 World Ice Hockey Championships were played in the town.

A gondola lift built in 1997 on the Jaworzyna Krynicka, a mountain overlooking Krynica, and subsequent investment in modern skiing facilities made it one of the most important ski resorts in Poland. Nearby mountains are also a perfect setting for cross-country skiing and mountain-biking.

Krynica is sometimes nicknamed "Polish Davos" for the Economic Summit "Poland-East" held there each year (september). Politicians (including heads of state) and businessmen from several countries of Central Europe, former Soviet Union and Arabic countries meet there to discuss economic and political matters.

Krynica was home to Nikifor (correct name: Epifaniusz Drowniak), a famous naïve painter.