The city of Warsaw
Warsaw; Polish: Warszawa see also other names is the capital and largest city
of Poland. The metropolis stands on the Vistula River in east-central Poland and its population is officially
estimated at 1.8 million residents within a greater metropolitan area of 3.1 million residents, which makes
Warsaw the 7th most- populous capital city in the European Union. The city area measures 517.24 square
kilometres (199.71 sq mi), while the metropolitan area covers 6,100.43 square kilometres (2,355.39 sq mi).
Warsaw is an alpha-global city, a major international tourist destination, and a significant cultural,
political, and economic hub. Its historical Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city rose to prominence in the late 16th century, when Sigismund III decided to move the Polish capital and
his royal court from Kraków. The elegant architecture, grandeur and extensive boulevards earned Warsaw the
nickname "Paris of the North" prior to the Second World War. Bombed at the start of the German invasion in 1939,
the city withstood a siege, but was largely destroyed by the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1943, the general Warsaw
Uprising in 1944 and the systematic razing by the Germans in advance of the Vistula–Oder Offensive. Warsaw
gained the new title of Phoenix City because of its complete reconstruction after the war, which had left over
85% of its buildings in ruins.
In 2012, the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Warsaw as the 32nd most liveable city in the world. In 2017,
the city came 4th in the "Business-friendly", 8th in "Human capital and life style" and topped the quality of
life rankings in the region. The city is a significant centre of research and development, business process
outsourcing, and information technology outsourcing. The Warsaw Stock Exchange is the largest and most important
in Central and Eastern Europe. Frontex, the European Union agency for external border security as well as ODIHR,
one of the principal institutions of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have their
headquarters in Warsaw. Jointly with Frankfurt and Paris, Warsaw features one of the highest number of
skyscrapers in the European Union.
The city is the seat of the Polish Academy of Sciences, National Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Warsaw,
the Warsaw University of Technology, the National Museum, Zachęta Art Gallery and the Warsaw Grand Theatre, the
largest of its kind in the world. The Old Town, which represents examples of nearly every European architectural
style and historical period, was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Other main architectural
attractions include the Royal Castle and the iconic King Sigismunds Column, the Wilanów Palace, the Palace on
the Isle, St. Johns Cathedral, Main Market Square, as well as numerous churches and mansions along the Royal
Route. Warsaw is positioning itself as Central and Eastern Europes chic cultural capital with thriving art or
club scenes and restaurants, with around a quarter of the citys area occupied by parks.
More on wikipedia.
Fall in love with Warsaw
More on wikipedia.
Fall in love with Warsaw
Warsaw tourist attractions
