# Pomeranian Voivodeship (Pomorskie) ## Overview Pomeranian Voivodeship (Polish: *Województwo pomorskie*) is one of Poland's 16 administrative regions, located in the northern part of the country. Its capital is Gdańsk, and it spans an area of 18,310.34 km². As of 30 June 2024, the region had a population exceeding 2.36 million residents, making it one of Poland's most populous voivodeships. ## History ### Formation The Pomeranian Voivodeship was established on 1 January 1999 as part of Poland's administrative reform, merging parts of the former Gdańsk, Słupsk, Elbląg, and Bydgoszcz voivodeships. The new region encompassed: - The entirety of the former Gdańsk Voivodeship - Most of the former Słupsk Voivodeship (excluding Sławień Gmina) - Selected districts from the former Elbląg Voivodeship (Nowogród Bobrzański, Malbork, Kwidzyn, and Sztum) - Selected districts from the former Bydgoszcz Voivodeship (3 out of 4 districts) ### Key Events A significant controversy arose when Bydgoszcz and Toruń were excluded from the new region, leading to protests. The region's boundaries were finalized after negotiations, with the current configuration established in 1999. ## Geography ### Location Pomeranian Voivodeship is situated in northern Poland, bordering Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) to the west and neighboring voivodeships: Kuyavian-Pomeranian to the south, Warmian-Masurian to the southeast, and Greater Poland to the southwest. The state border with Russia spans 0.8 km along the Vistula Spit. ### Topography The region extends 149 km north-south (from Puck to Człuchów) and 192 km east-west (from Słupsk to Nowy Dwór Gdański). Its highest point is Wieżyca (329 m above sea level), while the northernmost Polish point, Gwiazda Północy, is located in Jastrzębie Górze. ### Coordinates - Northernmost point: 54°50′08″ N (Działka ewidencyjna nr 1, Puck) - Southernmost point: 53°29′27″ N (Działka ewidencyjna nr 5280/3, Człuchów) - Westernmost point: 16°42′40″ E (Działka ewidencyjna nr 20/7, Słupsk) - Easternmost point: 19°38′55″ E (Przecięcie granicy z pn. brzegiem Zalewu Wiślanego) ## Administration ### Structure Pomeranian Voivodeship is divided into 16 districts and 4 cities with county rights: Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot, and Wejherowo. These cities form the Tri-City agglomeration with a combined population exceeding 500,000. ### Key Figures - **Marszałek Województwa Pomorskiego (2024):** Marcin Skwierawski - **Zarząd Województwa Pomorskiego:** 9 members including Wojewoda, Vice-Wojewoda, and councillors - **Sejmik Województwa Pomorskiego:** 33 councillors ## Economy ### GDP and Budget In 2012, the voivodeship's GDP was 93.9 billion PLN (5.8% of Poland's national GDP). By 2021, the budget revenues reached 998.7 million PLN, with planned expenditures of 1.1213 billion PLN and a deficit of 123.2 million PLN. ### Employment Unemployment stood at 4.4% in Q1 2019, with approximately 41,100 registered unemployed residents. The average monthly wage in Q3 2011 was 3,646.08 PLN, ranking third nationally. ## Culture and Tourism ### Major Cities - **Tri-City:** Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot (population ~500,000) - **Małe Tri-City:** Wejherowo, Rumia, Reda (Kaszubskie) - **Other Cities:** Bytów, Tczew, Puck ### Protected Areas - **National Parks:** Słowiński, Bory Tucholskie, Narwiański - **Landscape Parks:** Mierzeja Wiślana, Dolina Słupi, Pojezierze Iławskie - **Nature Reserves:** 2,832 sites including 2,157 trees, 429 tree groups, and 178 boulders ## Transport ### Key Infrastructure - **Airports:** Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport - **Ports:** Gdańsk, Gdynia (maritime connections to Sweden) - **Roads:** A1 motorway, European routes E65, E67 - **Rail:** 53.7 million passengers in 2016, with 94% traveling on regional lines ## Education ### Higher Education - **Universities:** Gdańsk University of Technology, University of Gdańsk, Medical University of Gdańsk - **Other Institutions:** Academy of Fine Arts, Academy of Music, University of Warmia and Mazury (Słupsk campus) ## Symbols ### Flag and Emblems - **Flag:** Horizontal tricolor (white, red, white) - **Emblem:** First adopted in 2007 (human figure with sun, waves, arrow), replaced in 2015 by a stylized