Warsaw
32908
225772832
2008-07-15T09:46:01Z
Martim33
6081121
/* See also */
{{otheruses6|Warsaw (disambiguation)|Warszawa (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Settlement
| name = Warsaw
| native_name = ''Warszawa''
| motto = ''Semper invicta'' (Always invincible)
| image_skyline = Warsaw22hk.jpg
| caption = Downtown Warsaw
| imagesize = 250px
| image_flag = Flag of Warsaw.svg
| image_shield = POL Warszawa COA.svg
| pushpin_map = Poland
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{POL}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Voivodeships of Poland|Voivodeship]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Masovian Voivodeship|Masovian]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Powiat|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = ''city county''
| parts = 18 [[dzielnica]]s
|p1=[[Bemowo]]
|p2=[[Białołęka]]
|p3=[[Bielany]]
|p4=[[Mokotów]]
|p5=[[Ochota]]
|p6=[[Praga Północ|Praga North]]
|p7=[[Praga Południe|Praga South]]
|p8=[[Rembertów]]
|p9=[[Warszawa-Śródmieście|Śródmieście]]
|p10=[[Targówek]]
|p11=[[Ursus (district in Warsaw)|Ursus]]
|p12=[[Ursynów]]
|p13=[[Wawer]]
|p14=[[Wesoła]]
|p15=[[Wilanów]]
|p16=[[Włochy]]
|p17=[[Wola]]
|p18=[[Żoliborz]]
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = [[Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz]]
| leader_party = [[Civic Platform|PO]]
| established_title = City rights
| established_date = turn of the 13th century
| area_total_km2 = 517
| area_metro_km2 = 6100.43
| population_as_of = 2007
| population_total = 1704717
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_metro = 3350000
| population_density_metro_km2 = 549.14
| timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset = +1
| timezone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST = +2
| latd = 52 | latm = 13 | lats = 56.28 | latNS = N | longd = 21 | longm = 00 | longs = 30.36 | longEW = E
| elevation_m = 100
| elevation_ft = 328
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 00-001 to 04-999
| area_code = +48 22
| website = http://www.um.warszawa.pl/
| blank_name = [[Polish car number plates|Car plates]]
| blank_info = WA, WB, WD, WE, WF, WH, WI, WJ, WK, WN, WT, WU, WW, WX, WY }}
'''Warsaw''' ({{lang-pl|Warszawa}} {{Audio-IPA-pl|Pl-Warszawa.ogg|w|a|r|'|sz|a|w|a}}; also known by [[#Etymology|other names]]) is the [[capital city]] of [[Poland]] and its largest [[city]]. It is located on the [[Vistula]] River roughly {{km to mi|370}} from both the [[Baltic Sea]] coast and the [[Carpathian Mountains]]. Its population as of 2007 was estimated at 1,704,717, with a [[metropolitan area]] of approximately 3,350,000.<ref>{{pl icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://www.stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/PUBL_voivodship_cities_basic_statistical_data_2007.pdf |title = Voivodship cities - basic statistical data |work = www.stat.gov.pl |publisher = Central Statistical Office of Poland |pages = |page = 16 |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-15}}</ref> The city area is {{km2 to mi2|516.9}}, with an agglomeration of {{km2 to mi2|6100.43}} (Warsaw Metro Area — ''Obszar Metropolitalny Warszawy'').<ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://www.goeuro2012.com/html/warsaw.html |title = Warsaw |work = www.goeuro2012.com |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-15}}</ref> Warsaw is the [[Largest cities of the European Union by population within city limits|8th largest city]] in the [[European Union]].
Warsaw gave its name to the [[Warsaw Pact]], [[Warsaw Convention]], [[Treaty of Warsaw (1970)|Treaty of Warsaw]] and the [[Warsaw Uprising]].
==Etymology==
An older spelling of Warsaw in Polish is ''Warszewa'' or ''Warszowa'', meaning "owned by Warsz".<ref>{{pl icon}} {{cite book | author = [[Kazimierz Rymut]] | coauthors = | title = Nazwy miast Polski | year = 1987 | editor = | pages = | chapter = | chapterurl = | publisher = Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich | location = | id = ISBN 83-04-02436-5| url = | format = | accessdate = }}</ref> [[Folk etymology]] attributes the city name to a fisherman Wars and his wife Sawa.<ref>{{cite web
| url =http://www.warsaw-life.com/poland/warsaw-legend |title =The Warsaw Mermaid | accessmonthday = February 11 |accessyear =2008
| language = English }}</ref> Actually, Warsz was a nobleman (12th/13th century) who owned a village located at the site of today's [[Mariensztat]] neighbourhood.<ref>{{cite web
| url =http://www.um.warszawa.pl/v_syrenka/miasto/historia.htm |title =Historia Warszawy | accessmonthday = February 11 |accessyear =2008
| language = Polish }}</ref>
The official city name in full is '''The Capital City of Warsaw''' ({{lang-pl|Miasto Stołeczne Warszawa}}).<ref>{{pl icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://www.prawo.lex.pl/bap/samorzad/Dz.U.2002.41.361.html |title = Ustawa o ustroju miasta stołecznego Warszawy |work = www.prawo.lex.pl |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-15}}</ref> Warsaw has been known in [[Latin]] as ''Varsovia''. A native or resident of Warsaw is called ''Varsovian''. See [[wiktionary:Warsaw]] for the name in other languages.
==Geography==
===Location===
Warsaw [[straddle]]s the [[Vistula River]]. It is located in the heartland of the [[Masovian Plain]], and its average [[altitude]] is {{convert|100|m|ft|-1}} above sea level, although there are some hills (mostly artificial) located within the confines of the city.
===Climate===
Warsaw's climate is [[continental humid]]. The average temperature is {{C to F|-2|precision=0}} in January and 18 °C (64 °F) in July. Temperatures may often reach 30 °C (86 °F) in the summer. Yearly rainfall averages {{mm to in|680}}, the most rainy month being July.
<!--Infobox begins-->{{Infobox Weather
|metric_first=yes
|single_line=yes
|location = Warsaw
|Jan_Hi_°F = 33 |Jan_Hi_°C = 2
|Feb_Hi_°F = 34 |Feb_Hi_°C = 5
|Mar_Hi_°F = 44 |Mar_Hi_°C = 11
|Apr_Hi_°F = 54 |Apr_Hi_°C = 12
|May_Hi_°F = 65 |May_Hi_°C = 18
|Jun_Hi_°F = 70 |Jun_Hi_°C = 24
|Jul_Hi_°F = 86 |Jul_Hi_°C = 30
|Aug_Hi_°F = 88 |Aug_Hi_°C = 31
|Sep_Hi_°F = 82 |Sep_Hi_°C = 28
|Oct_Hi_°F = 54 |Oct_Hi_°C = 15
|Nov_Hi_°F = 42 |Nov_Hi_°C = 10
|Dec_Hi_°F = 36 |Dec_Hi_°C = 5
|Year_Hi_°F = 53 |Year_Hi_°C = 12
|Jan_Lo_°F = 24 |Jan_Lo_°C = -5
|Feb_Lo_°F = 24 |Feb_Lo_°C = -5
|Mar_Lo_°F = 31 |Mar_Lo_°C = -1
|Apr_Lo_°F = 37 |Apr_Lo_°C = 3
|May_Lo_°F = 47 |May_Lo_°C = 9
|Jun_Lo_°F = 52 |Jun_Lo_°C = 15
|Jul_Lo_°F = 55 |Jul_Lo_°C = 16
|Aug_Lo_°F = 54 |Aug_Lo_°C = 18
|Sep_Lo_°F = 47 |Sep_Lo_°C = 9
|Oct_Lo_°F = 40 |Oct_Lo_°C = 2
|Nov_Lo_°F = 33 |Nov_Lo_°C = 0
|Dec_Lo_°F = 27 |Dec_Lo_°C = -3
|Year_Lo_°F = 39 |Year_Lo_°C = 4
|Jan_Precip_inch = 1.1 |Jan_Precip_cm = 2.8 |Jan_Precip_mm =
|Feb_Precip_inch = 1 |Feb_Precip_cm = 2.6 |Feb_Precip_mm =
|Mar_Precip_inch = 1.2 |Mar_Precip_cm = 3 |Mar_Precip_mm =
|Apr_Precip_inch = 1.5 |Apr_Precip_cm = 3.8 |Apr_Precip_mm =
|May_Precip_inch = 2 |May_Precip_cm = 5 |May_Precip_mm =
|Jun_Precip_inch = 2.6 |Jun_Precip_cm = 6.6 |Jun_Precip_mm =
|Jul_Precip_inch = 3 |Jul_Precip_cm = 7.6 |Jul_Precip_mm =
|Aug_Precip_inch = 2.8 |Aug_Precip_cm = 7.1 |Aug_Precip_mm =
|Sep_Precip_inch = 1.8 |Sep_Precip_cm = 4.6 |Sep_Precip_mm =
|Oct_Precip_inch = 1.6 |Oct_Precip_cm = 4 |Oct_Precip_mm =
|Nov_Precip_inch = 1.5 |Nov_Precip_cm = 3.8 |Nov_Precip_mm =
|Dec_Precip_inch = 1.4 |Dec_Precip_cm = 3.6 |Dec_Precip_mm =
|Year_Precip_inch = 21.6 |Year_Precip_cm = 54.9 |Year_Precip_mm =
|source =Weatherbase<ref name=Weatherbase>{{cite web
| url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=57321&refer= |title =Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Warsaw, Poland | accessmonthday = February 11 |accessyear =2008
| language = English }}</ref>
|accessdate = 2008-02-11
}}<!--Infobox ends-->
===Districts===
{| class="wikitable" align="right"
!District || Population || Area
|-
|[[Mokotów]] ||align=right| 226,911 || {{km2 to mi2|35.4|abbr=yes}}
|-
|[[Praga Południe]] ||align=right| 185,077 || {{km2 to mi2|22.4|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Ursynów]] ||align=right| 143,935 || {{km2 to mi2|44.6|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Wola]] ||align=right| 142,025 || {{km2 to mi2|19.26|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Bielany]] ||align=right| 135,307 || {{km2 to mi2|32.3|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Warszawa-Śródmieście|Śródmieście]] ||align=right| 134,306 || {{km2 to mi2|15.6|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Targówek]] ||align=right| 122,872 || {{km2 to mi2|24.37|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Bemowo]] ||align=right| 107,197 || {{km2 to mi2|24.95|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Ochota]] ||align=right| 91,643 || {{km2 to mi2|9.7|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Białołęka]] ||align=right| 76,999 || {{km2 to mi2|74|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Praga Północ]] ||align=right| 73,207 || {{km2 to mi2|11.4|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Wawer]] ||align=right| 66,094 || {{km2 to mi2|79.71|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Żoliborz]] ||align=right| 49,275 || {{km2 to mi2|8.5|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Ursus (district in Warsaw)|Ursus]] ||align=right| 47,285 || {{km2 to mi2|9.35|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Włochy]] ||align=right| 39,778 || {{km2 to mi2|28.63|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Rembertów]] ||align=right| 22,688 || {{km2 to mi2|19.30|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Wesoła]] ||align=right| 20,749 || {{km2 to mi2|22.6|abbr=yes }}
|-
|[[Wilanów]] ||align=right| 15,188 || {{km2 to mi2|36.73|abbr=yes }}
|-
|'''Total''' ||align=right| 1,700,536 || {{km2 to mi2|517.90|abbr=yes }}
|}
Warsaw is a ''[[powiat]]'' (''county''), and is further divided into 18 boroughs, each one known as a ''dzielnica'' ([http://www.e-warsaw.pl/images/mapa_dzielnice.gif map]), each one with its own administrative body.<ref>{{pl icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://www.um.warszawa.pl/v_syrenka/miasto/dzielnice.htm |title = Dzielnice |work = www.um.warszawa.pl |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-11}}</ref> Each of the boroughs includes several neighbourhoods which have no legal or administrative status. Warsaw has two historic districts, called [[Warsaw Old Town|Old Town]] (''Stare Miasto'') and [[Warsaw New Town|New Town]] (''Nowe Miasto'') in the borough of [[Warszawa-Śródmieście|Śródmieście]].<ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://www.scrapbookpages.com/poland/Warsaw/Warsaw02.html |title = Old Town Warsaw |work = www.scrapbookpages.com |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-11}}</ref>
<div style="position: relative; font-size:85%">
[[Image:Warszawa outline with districts v2.svg|450px]]
{{Image label|x=155|y=70|text=[[Białołęka]]}}
{{Image label|x=90|y=130|text=[[Bielany]]}}
{{Image label|x=65|y=195|text=[[Bemowo]]}}
{{Image label|x=137|y=165|text=[[Żoliborz]]}}
{{Image label|x=177|y=183|text=[[Praga Północ]]}}
{{Image label|x=212|y=150|text=[[Targówek]]}}
{{Image label|x=167|y=223|text=[[Śródmieście]]}}
{{Image label|x=127|y=223|text=[[Wola]]}}
{{Image label|x=127|y=263|text=[[Ochota]]}}
{{Image label|x=110|y=300|text=[[Włochy]]}}
{{Image label|x=40|y=285|text=[[Ursus]]}}
{{Image label|x=200|y=290|text=[[Mokotów]]}}
{{Image label|x=320|y=290|text=[[Wawer]]}}
{{Image label|x=227|y=213|text=[[Praga Południe]]}}
{{Image label|x=297|y=180|text=[[Rembertów]]}}
{{Image label|x=387|y=230|text=[[Wesoła]]}}
{{Image label|x=187|y=380|text=[[Ursynów]]}}
{{Image label|x=255|y=355|text=[[Wilanów]]}}
</div>
==History==
{{main|History of Warsaw}}
[[Image:Dahlbergh Bitwa Warszawa 1656.jpg|thumb|right|[[Battle of Warsaw (1656)|Battle of Warsaw in 1656]]]]
The first fortified settlements on the site of today's Warsaw were [[Bródno]] (9th/10th century) and [[Ujazdów|Jazdów]] (12th/13th century). After Jazdów was raided, a new similar settlement was established on the site of a small fishing village called Warszowa. This settlement Warszowa (at present Warsaw) a [[Płock]] prince established (about 1300), Bolesław II Mazovian (from 1294 prince of entire Masovia). In the beginning of the 14th century it became one of the seats of the [[Dukes of Masovia]], becoming the capital of Masovia in 1413. Upon the extinction of the local ducal line, the duchy was reincorporated into the [[Poland|Polish Crown]] in 1526. In 1529 Warsaw for the first time became the seat of the [[Sejm|General Sejm]], permanent since 1569. In 1573 Warsaw gave its name to the [[Warsaw Confederation (1573)|Warsaw Confederation]], formally establishing religious freedom in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Due to its central location between the [[Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth]]'s capitals of [[Kraków]] and [[Vilnius]], Warsaw became the capital of the Commonwealth and at the same time of the [[Poland|Polish Crown]] in 1596, when King [[Sigismund III Vasa]] moved the court from [[Kraków]]. Warsaw remained the capital of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1795, when it was annexed by the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] to become the capital of the province of [[South Prussia]]. Liberated by [[Napoleon]]'s army in 1807, Warsaw was made the capital of the newly created [[Duchy of Warsaw]]. Following the [[Congress of Vienna]] of 1815, Warsaw became the centre of the [[Congress Poland]], a constitutional monarchy under a personal union with [[Imperial Russia]]. The Royal University of Warsaw was established in 1816.
Following the repeated violations of the Polish constitution by the [[Russia]]ns, the 1830 [[November Uprising]] broke out. However, the Polish-Russian war of 1831 ended in the uprising's defeat and in the curtailment of the Kingdom's autonomy. On [[27 February]] [[1861]] a Warsaw crowd protesting the Russian rule over Poland was fired upon by the Russian troops. Five people were killed. The Underground [[Polish National Government (January Uprising)|Polish National Government]] resided in Warsaw during [[January Uprising]] in 1863–4.
Warsaw flourished in the late nineteenth century under Mayor [[Sokrates Starynkiewicz]] (1875–92), a Russian-born general appointed by Tsar [[Alexander III of Russia|Alexander III]]. Under Starynkiewicz Warsaw saw its first water and sewer systems designed and built by the English engineer [[William Lindley]] and his son, [[William Heerlein Lindley]], as well as the expansion and modernization of [[trams]], [[street lighting]] and [[gas works]].
{{rquote|right|''The history of contemporary civilization knows no event of greater importance than the Battle of Warsaw, 1920, and none of which the significance is less appreciated.''|[[Edgar Vincent, 1st Viscount D'Abernon|Sir Edgar Vincent d'Abernon]]<ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://www.electronicmuseum.ca/Soviet-Polish-War/spw_3.html |title = Vistula River Victory |work = www.electronicmuseum.ca |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref>}}
Warsaw became the capital of the newly independent [[Second Polish Republic|Poland]] in 1918. In the course of the [[Polish-Bolshevik War]] of 1920, the huge [[Battle of Warsaw (1920)|Battle of Warsaw]] was fought on the Eastern outskirts of the city in which the capital was successfully defended and the [[Red Army]] defeated.<ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/466681/Poland/28213/From-the-Treaty-of-Versailles-to-the-Treaty-of-Riga#ref=ref397007&tab=active~checked%2Citems~checked&title=Poland%20%3A%3A%20From%20the%20Treaty%20of%20Versailles%20to%20the%20Treaty%20of%20Riga%20--%20Britannica%20Online%20Encyclopedia |title = Poland, History » Poland in the 20th century » From the Treaty of Versailles to the Treaty of Riga |work = www.britannica.com |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref> Poland stopped on itself the full brunt of the Red Army and defeated an idea of the "export of the revolution."<ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = Witold Lawrynowicz |url = http://www.hetmanusa.org/engarticle1.html |title = Battle Of Warsaw 1920 |work = www.scrapbookpages.com |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref><ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = Zdzisław G. Kowalski
|url = http://www.archiwa.gov.pl/memory/sub_listakrajowa/index.php?va_lang=en&fileid=019 |title = Documents of the Battle of Warsaw 1920 |work = Memory of the World |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref>
[[Image:Destroyed Warsaw, capital of Poland, January 1945.jpg|thumb|left|During World War II [[Aftereffects of the Warsaw Uprising|85% of buildings in
Warsaw were destroyed]]]]
During the [[Second World War]] central Poland, including Warsaw, came under the rule of the [[General Government]], a [[Nazism|Nazi]] colonial administration. All higher education institutions were immediately closed and Warsaw's entire Jewish population — several hundred thousand, some 30% of the city — herded into the [[Warsaw Ghetto]]. When the order came to annihilate the Ghetto as part of [[Hitler]]'s "[[final solution]]" on April 19, 1943, Jewish fighters launched the [[Warsaw Ghetto Uprising]]. Despite being heavily outgunned and outnumbered, the Ghetto held out for almost a month. When the fighting ended, almost all survivors were massacred, only few managed to escape or hide.
[[Image:Warsaw885048.jpg|thumb|Historical buildings reconstructed after WW II, [[2006]]]]
By July 1944 the [[Red Army]] was deep into Polish territory pursuing the Germans toward Warsaw.<ref name="uprising">{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://www.warsawuprising.com/timeline.htm |title = Warsaw Uprising of 1944 |work = www.warsawuprising.com |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref> Knowing that [[Stalin]] was hostile to the idea of an independent Poland, the [[Polish government-in-exile]] based in [[London]] gave orders to the underground [[Armia Krajowa|Home Army]] (AK) to try to seize the control of Warsaw from the [[Nazi]]s just before the [[Red Army]]'s arrival. Thus, on [[1 August]] [[1944]], as the Soviet army was nearing the city very fast, the [[Home Army]] and the civilian population started the [[Warsaw Uprising]].<ref name="uprising" /> The armed struggle, planned to last 48 hours, went on for 63 days, and eventually the Home Army fighters were forced to capitulate.<ref name="uprising" /> They were transported to the [[POW]] camps in Germany, while the entire civilian population was expelled.<ref name="uprising" /> Hitler, ignoring the agreed terms of the capitulation, ordered the entire city to be razed to the ground, and the library and museum collections taken to Germany or burned.<ref name="uprising" /> Monuments and government buildings were blown up by special German troops known as ''Verbrennungs und Vernichtungskommando'' (burning and destruction detachments).<ref name="uprising" /> About 85% of the city had been destroyed, including the historic Old Town and the Royal Castle.<ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://www.warsawuprising.com/faq.htm#Warsaw%20Ghetto%20Uprising |title = Warsaw Uprising of 1944 |work = www.warsawuprising.com |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref> After the war, large [[prefabricated]] [[housing project]]s were erected in Warsaw to address the housing shortage. The city resumed its role as the capital of Poland and the country's centre of political and economic life. Many of the historic streets, buildings, and churches were restored to their original form. In 1980 Warsaw's historic Old Town was inscribed onto [[UNESCO]]'s [[World Heritage]] list.
In 1995 the [[Warsaw Metro]] opened, and with the entry of Poland into the [[European Union]] in 2004, Warsaw is currently experiencing the biggest economic boom of its history. The opening match of the [[UEFA Euro 2012]] is scheduled to take place in Warsaw.
<gallery style="margin:2px auto; text-align:center">
Image:Warsaw after 1573.jpg|<center>1573</center>
Image:View of Warsaw near the end of the 16th century.jpg|<center>1617</center>
Image:Warsaw1656.JPG|<center>1656</center>
Image:Warszawa4.jpg|<center>1770</center>
</gallery>
==Demographics==
Warsaw has historically been a destination of internal and foreign immigration, especially from Central and Eastern Europe. For nearly 300 years it was known as the "New Paris" or "Second Paris". It was always a center of European culture, and existed a a major European city, and was a destination for many Europeans. Demographically it was the most diverse city in Poland, with as much as 20% of its population being either Jewish Poles or foreign born. World War II changed all of this, and to this day there is much less ethnic diversity than in the previous 300 years of the city's history. Most of the modern day population growth is based on internal migration and urbanization.
[[Image:Warsaw1880-2000.jpg|thumb|left|Population 1880–2006]]
[[Image:Poland Warsaw boundaries 1939 and 2005.svg|thumb|right|200px|Comparison of modern city's boundaries with those of 1939]]
{|
|-
| valign="top" |
* 1700: 30,000 <small>(est.)</small>
* 1792: 120,000
* 1800: 63,400
* 1830: 139,700
* 1850: 163,600
* 1882: 383,000
* 1900: 686,000
* 1925: 1,003,000
* 1939: 1,300,000
| valign="top" |
* 1945: 422,000 <small>(September)</small>
* 1950: 803,800
* 1960: 1,136,000
* 1970: 1,315,600
* 1980: 1,596,100
* 1990: 1,655,700
* 2000: 1,672,400
* 2002: 1,688,200
* 2006: 1,702,100
|}
==Municipal government==
[[Image:5 Warszawa 083.jpg|thumb|left|[[Belweder]]]]
[[Image:2007-06-27 Pałac Branickich w Warszawie.jpg|thumb|left|[[Rococo]] [[Branicki Palace, Warsaw|Branicki Palace]] houses city government.]]
<!--the div section below is a fix for [[Wikipedia:How to fix bunched up edit links#Using a floated div]]-->
<div style="float: right; clear: right">
</div>
===The mayor (the President of Warsaw)===
{{main|President of Warsaw}}
According to the ''Warsaw Act'' (''Ustawa warszawska'') of [[October 27]], [[2002]], the President of Warsaw carries out the executive duties in the city. The president's prerogative is, among others, governing the city-owned property that constitutes a major part of the city. The current President of Warsaw is [[Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz]].
===Municipal government===
The ''Warsaw Act'' abolished all the former counties around Warsaw and formed one ''city [[powiat]]'' with a unified municipal government.
Legislative power in Warsaw is vested in a [[unicameral]] [[Warsaw City Council]] (''Rada Miasta''), which comprises 60 members. Council members are elected directly every four years. Like most legislative bodies, the City Council divides itself into committees which have the oversight of various functions of the city government. Bills passed by a simple majority are sent to the mayor (the President of Warsaw), who. may sign them into law. If the mayor vetoes a bill, the Council has 30 days to override the veto by a two-thirds majority vote.
Each of the 18 separate city districts has its own council (''Rada dzielnicy''). Their duties are focused on aiding the President and the City Council, as well as supervising various municipal companies, city-owned property and schools. The head of each of the District Councils is named the Mayor (''Burmistrz'') and is elected by the local council from the candidates proposed by the President of Warsaw.
==Politics==
{{main|Members of Sejm from Warsaw constituency}}
[[Image:Sejm RP.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Sejm]] building]]
As the capital of Poland, Warsaw is the political centre of the country. All state agencies are located there, including the [[Sejm|Polish Parliament]], the [[President of Poland|Presidential Office]] and the Supreme Court. In the [[Sejm|Polish parliament]] the city and the area are represented by 31 [[Member of Parliament|MP]]s (out of 460). Additionally, Warsaw elects two [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]]s.
==Transport==
Although many streets were widened, and new ones created, during rebuilding of Warsaw in 1950s, the city is currently plagued with traffic problems.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Public transport in Warsaw is ubiquitous, serving the city with [[bus]]es, [[tram]]ways, and [[Warsaw Metro|metro]].
===Roads and highways===
[[Image:Warsaw-centrum.jpg|thumb|left|none|Warsaw Centrum]]
Warsaw lacks a good circular road system and most traffic goes directly through the city centre. Currently two circular roads are under consideration. The first (called OEW, or ''Obwodnica Etapowa Warszawy'') is planned to run approximately {{km to mi|10}} from the city centre through the city streets and across two new bridges. The other is planned to become a part of both the [[Autostrada A2 (Poland)|A-2]] [[motorway]] (itself a part of the [[European route E30]] from [[Berlin]] to [[Moscow]]) and the S-7 ([[Gdańsk]]–[[Kraków]]) express road, and will run through a tunnel under the southern area of [[Ursynów]]. It is to be completed between 2010 and 2012.
===Airports===
[[Image:Terminal2-okecie.JPG|thumb|right|none|Terminal 2 façade]]
Warsaw has one airport, [[Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport]] (usually referred to as ''Okęcie airport''), located just {{km to mi|10}} from the city centre. With over 70 international and domestic flights a day and with over 8,270,000 passengers served in 2006, it is by far the biggest airport in Poland. Immediately adjacent to the main terminal complex ''Terminal 1'', is the ''Etiuda'' terminal, serving routes flown by low-cost carriers. Domestic flights operate from a domestic terminal, adjoining Terminal 1. A new ''Terminal 2'' has been opened in March 2008 in order to alleviate current overcrowding, and to extend the airport's capacity by another 6 million passengers.
There are plans to convert disused military [[Modlin Airport]], {{km to mi|35}} north of the city centre, into the second Warsaw airport, mainly for low-cost carriers. It will not be ready for use before 2010 at the earliest.
There also are long-term plans to build an entirely new international airport. Its location has not yet been decided.
===Public transport===
[[Image:Syrena Warszawska.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Most Świętokrzyski|Świętokrzyski Bridge]]]]
[[Public transport]] in Warsaw includes, [[bus]]es, [[tram]]s ([[streetcars]]), [[Warsaw Metro|metro]] and [[regional rail]]. The first three are operated by the [[ZTM]] (''Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego'', the Warsaw Transport Authority). There are also some suburban bus lines run by private operators.
There are three tourist routes: "T", a vintage tram running in July and August; bus "100" which runs on weekends and which operates the only double-decker bus owned by the city; and the "180" bus, a regular scheduled service that follows the "Royal Route" from the War Cemetery in the North, near the Old Town and down city's most prestigious thoroughfares – Krakowskie Przedmiescie, Nowy Swiat and Aleje Ujazdowskie – and terminating at [[Wilanów]] Palace.
====Buses====
Bus service covers the entire city, with approx. 170 routes totalling about {{km to mi|2603}} in length, and with some 1,600 vehicles. Between midnight and 5 am the city and suburbs are served by night lines.
<br style="clear: right"/>
====Trams====
{{wrapper}}
|[[Image:ModerntramWarsaw.jpg|thumb|right|A modern tram in Warsaw]]
|-
|[[Image:Warsaw Metro Plac Wilsona 2.jpg|thumb|[[Plac Wilsona (Warsaw Metro)|Plac Wilsona]] metro station]]
|}
The first [[tram]] (streetcar) line in Warsaw was opened on [[11 December]] [[1866]]. The last horse-drawn tram run on [[26 March]] [[1908]]. In the period between the world wars, the tram network was nationalized and extended significantly. After the [[Invasion of Poland (1939)|German invasion of September 1939]] the service was halted for approximately three months due to war damage, but the trams were back in service by 1940. In 1941 the present colours of the cars were introduced (yellow and red, in the colours of the [[Flag of Warsaw]]. Previously, trams were painted either white and red, or entirely red).
During the [[Warsaw Uprising]] the tram system was destroyed. The first tram line was reopened on [[20 June]] [[1945]]. Following the [[Second World War]] the tram network in Warsaw underwent fast development. The tracks reached all the principal parts of the city. However, in the [[1960s|sixties]] the official policy of both Polish and [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] authorities promoted the use of Soviet oil, hence more buses were purchased and the tram network was shortened.
Currently the ''Tramwaje Warszawskie'' company runs 863 cars on almost {{km to mi|470}} of track. Twenty-odd lines run across the city with additional lines opened on special occasions (such as [[November 1|All-Saints Day]]).
====Metro====
{{main|Warsaw Metro}}
'''See also''' [[Warsaw Trolleybuses]] for the history of this type of transport. Trolleybuses no longer operate in Warsaw.
===Railway===
The first railway opened in Warsaw in 1845 (the [[Warsaw-Vienna Railway]]). Nowadays Warsaw is one of the main railway hubs in Poland.
The main railway station is [[Warszawa Centralna station|Warszawa Centralna]] serving both domestic traffic to almost every major city in Poland, and international connections mainly to Germany, Czech Republic and former Soviet Union countries. There are also 5 other major railway stations and a number of smaller suburban stations.
The [[Warsaw Cross-City Line|main railway line crosses the city]] in a tunnel (''tunel średnicowy'') approximately {{km to mi |2.2|precision=1}} long and running directly under the city centre. It is part of an east-west line connecting the ''Warszawa Zachodnia'', ''[[Warszawa Centralna]]'' and ''Warszawa Wschodnia'' stations through the tunnel and a railway bridge over the [[Vistula River]].
The principal railway stations are:
*[[Warszawa Centralna station|Warszawa Centralna]] and [[Warszawa Śródmieście PKP station|Warszawa Śródmieście]]
*[[Warszawa Gdańska station|Warszawa Gdańska]]
*[[Warszawa Wileńska station|Warszawa Wileńska]]
*[[Warszawa Zachodnia station|Warszawa Zachodnia]]
*[[Warszawa Wschodnia station|Warszawa Wschodnia]]
==Sports==
{{Main article|Sports in Warsaw}}
===Football===
[[Legia Warszawa]] — men's [[Football in Poland|football]] team (est. 1916), (Polish Champion: 1955, 1956, 1969, 1970, 1993,1994, 1995, 2002, 2006; [[Polish Cup]] winner: 1955, 1956, 1964, 1966, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1995, 1997, 2008; [[Polish SuperCup]] winner: 1989, 1994, 1997; 1st league in 2006/2007 season)
<br clear="all"/>
[[Polonia Warszawa]] — men's [[Football in Poland|football]] team (est. 1911), (Polish Champion: 1946, 2000; [[Polish Cup]] winner: 1952, 2001; [[Polish SuperCup]] winner: 2000; 2nd league in 2006/2007 season)
===Basketball===
[[Polonia Warbud Warszawa]] - men's basketball team, 3rd in Era Basket Liga in 2003/2004 season.
[[Legia Warszawa (basketball)]] - basketball team
===Volleyball===
Volleyball was played in many places in Poland. It was very popular.
==Culture==
===Theatre in the past===
[[Image:Warszawa Teatr Wielki.jpg|thumb|260px|[[Teatr Wielki, Warsaw|Teatr Wielki]], home of National Theatre and Opera]]
From 1833 to the outbreak of World War II, Plac Teatralny ''(Theatre Square)'' was the country's cultural hub and home to the various theatres.
The main building housed the [[Teatr Wielki, Warsaw|Teatr Wielki]] from 1833–4, the Rozmaitości Theatre from 1836 to 1924 and then the National Theatre, the Reduta Theatre from 1919 to 1924, and from 1928 to 1939 — the Nowy Theatre, which staged productions of contemporary poetical drama, including those directed by Leon Schiller.
Nearby, in Ogród Saski ([[Saxon Garden]]), the Summer Theatre was in operation from 1870 to 1939, and in the inter-war period, the theatre complex also included Momus, Warsaw's first literary cabaret, and [[Leon Schiller]]'s musical theatre Melodram. The [[Wojciech Bogusławski]] Theatre (1922–6), was the best example of "Polish monumental theatre". From the mid-1930s, the [[Teatr Wielki, Warsaw|Teatr Wielki]] building housed the State Institute of Dramatic Arts — the first state-run academy of dramatic art, with an Acting Department and a Stage Directing Department.
Plac Teatralny and its environs was the venue for numerous parades, celebrations of state holidays, carnival balls, and concerts.
===Theatre===
Warsaw is home to over 30 major theatres spread throughout the city, including the [[Teatr Narodowy|National Theatre]] (founded in 1765) and the [[Teatr Wielki, Warsaw|Grand Theatre in Warsaw]] (established 1778).<ref>{{cite web
| url =http://www.teatrwielki.pl/show_book.php?book=historia |title =Teatr Wielki-Polish National Opera | accessmonthday = February 11 |accessyear =2008
| language = English }}</ref>
[[Image:074 Palace of Culture.jpg|thumb|left|160px|[[Palace of Culture and Science]]]]
Warsaw also attracts many young and off-stream directors and [[performance|performers]] who add to the city's theatre culture. Their productions may be viewed mostly in smaller theatres and ''Houses of Culture'' (''Domy Kultury''), mostly outside ''[[Warszawa-Śródmieście|Śródmieście]]'' (downtown Warsaw).
Warsaw hosts the [[International Theatrical Meetings]].
===Music===
{{wrapper}}
|[[Image:Zamek Ostrogskich.jpg|thumb|[[Ostrogski Palace|Chopin Museum]]]]
|-
|[[Image:Warszawa-pod Blachą.jpg|thumb|[[Copper-Roof Palace]] houses an exhibition of [[Oriental rugs]]]]
|-
|[[Image:Warszawa-MPW.jpg|thumb|[[Warsaw Uprising Museum]]]]
|}
Thanks to numerous musical venues, including the [[Teatr Wielki, Warsaw|Teatr Wielki, the Polish National Opera]], the [[Chamber Opera]], the [[Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra|National Philharmonic Hall]] and the [[Teatr Narodowy|National Theatre]], as well as the Roma and Buffo music theatres and the Congress Hall in the [[Palace of Culture and Science]], Warsaw hosts many events and festivals. Among the events worth particular attention are: the [[International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition]], the International Contemporary Music Festival [[Warsaw Autumn]], the [[Jazz Jamboree]], [[Warsaw Summer Jazz Days]], the [[International Stanisław Moniuszko Vocal Competition]], the Mozart Festival, and the [[Festival of Old Music]].
===Museums and art galleries===
There are many museums and art galleries in Warsaw, the most notable are:
*[[National Museum, Warsaw|National Museum]] - [http://www.mnw.art.pl/ ''Muzeum Narodowe'']
*[[Zachęta|Zachęta Art Gallery]] - [http://www.zacheta.art.pl/ ''Zachęta Narodowa Galeria Sztuki'']
*Centre for Contemporary Art - [http://www.csw.art.pl/ ''Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej'']
*Museum of Modern Art - [http://www.artmuseum.waw.pl/ ''Muzeum Sztuki Nowoczesnej'']
*[[Museum of the Polish Army]] - [http://www.muzeumwp.pl/ ''Muzeum Wojska Polskiego'']
*[[Royal Castle, Warsaw|Royal Castle]] - [http://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/ ''Zamek Królewski'']
*[[Warsaw Uprising Museum]] - [http://www.1944.pl/ ''Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego'']
*[[Ostrogski Palace|Fryderyk Chopin Museum]] - [http://www.nifc.pl/chopin/nifc/museum ''Muzeum Fryderyka Chopina'']
*Historical Museum of Warsaw - [http://www.mhw.pl/mhw/intro.jsp?place=Menu01&news_cat_id=-1&layout=0 ''Muzeum Historyczne miasta stołecznego Warszawy'']
*Polish History Museum - [http://www.muzhp.pl/index.php?lang=2 ''Muzeum Historii Polski'']
*Museum of Independence - [http://www.muzeumniepodleglosci.art.pl/index.php?lang=en ''Muzeum Niepodległości'']
*Museum of the History of Polish Jews - [http://www.jewishmuseum.org.pl/index.php?miId=2&lang=en ''Muzeum Historii Żydów Polskich'']
*Museum of Sports and Tourism - [http://www.muzeumsportu.waw.pl/en ''Muzeum Sportu i Turystyki'']
===Film===
{{Main article|List of films featuring Warsaw}}
[[Image:Kanal poster.jpg|thumb|260px|''[[Kanał (film)|Sewer]]'', an original promotional poster of the first film ever made about the [[Warsaw Uprising]]]]
Since World War II Warsaw has been the second most important centre of film production in Poland. It has also been featured in numerous movies, both Polish and foreign, for example:
*[[Kanał (film)|''Kanał'']] and ''[[Korczak]]'' by [[Andrzej Wajda]]
*[[Heroism (film)|''Eroica'']] by [[Andrzej Munk]]
*''[[The Decalogue]]'' by [[Krzysztof Kieślowski]]
*''[[Miś]]'' by [[Stanisław Bareja]]
*[[The Pianist (2002 film)|''The Pianist'']] by [[Roman Polański]]
==Education==
[[Image:bramauw.jpg|thumb|Main gate of [[Warsaw University]]]]
[[Image:6 Warszawa 159.jpg|thumb|Academy of Fine Arts]]
:''For a full list of Warsaw-based institutions of higher education see: [[Education in Warsaw]]''
Warsaw is one of the most important education centres of Poland. It is home to four major [[University|universities]] and over 62 smaller schools of higher education. The most important are:
*[[University of Warsaw]] (''Uniwersytet Warszawski'')
*[[Warsaw University of Technology]] (''Politechnika Warszawska'')
*[[Warsaw School of Economics]] (''Szkoła Główna Handlowa'')
*[[Warsaw University of Life Science]] (''Szkoła Główna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego'')
*[[Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw|Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University]] (''Uniwersytet Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego'')
*[[Medical University of Warsaw]] (''Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny'')
*[[Military University of Technology]] (''Wojskowa Akademia Techniczna'')
*[[Academy of National Defence]] (''Akademia Obrony Narodowej'')
*[[Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw]] (''Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego w Warszawie'')
*[[Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music]] (''Akademia Muzyczna im. Fryderyka Chopina'')
*[[The Aleksander Zelwerowicz State Theatre Academy]] (''Akademia Teatralna im. Aleksandra Zelwerowicza'')
{{See also|List of universities in Poland}}
The overall number of students of all grades of education in Warsaw is almost 500,000 (29% of the city population; 2002). The number of university students is over 255,000.
==Economy==
In 2007 Warsaw was ranked<ref name=glob>{{cite web
| url =http://economist.com/markets/indicators/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8860366 |title =Economist Intelligence Unit report | accessmonthday = June 15 |accessyear =2007
| language = English }}</ref> the 67th world's most expensive city to live in. It was classified as a [[global city|gamma world city]] (also known as a 'minor world city') on par with cities such as [[Rome]] and [[Beijing]] by Globalization and World Cities (GaWC) Study Group and Network from [[Loughborough University]].<ref>{{cite web
| url =http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/citylist.html |title =Inventory of World Cities | accessmonthday = February 11 |accessyear =2008
| language = English }}</ref>
===Business and commerce===
[[Image:Warsaw7ob.jpg|thumb|Downtown in Warsaw]]
[[Image:WarsawZloteTarasy.jpg|thumb|Złote Tarasy shopping centre]]
Warsaw, especially its city centre ([[Warszawa-Śródmieście|''Śródmieście'']]), is home not only to many national institutions and government agencies, but also to many domestic and international companies. In 2003, 268,307 companies were registered in the city. Foreign investors' financial participation in the city's development was estimated in 2002 at over 650 million [[euro]]. Warsaw produces 13.3% of Poland's national income which per capita is estimated at around 290 % of Polish average. The nominal GDP (PPP) per capita in Warsaw was about $28,000 in 2005 and $ 38,000 in 2007.
At the same time the unemployment rate is one of the lowest in Poland, not exceeding 3%, according to the official figures.
The city itself collects around 8,740,882,000 [[złoty]]s in taxes and direct government grants.
It has been said that Warsaw, together with [[Frankfurt]], [[London]] and [[Paris]], is one of the tallest cities in Europe. 11 of the tallest skyscrapers in Poland, 9 of which are office buildings, are located in Warsaw. The tallest structure, the centrally located [[Palace of Culture and Science, Warsaw|Palace of Culture and Science]], is the 7th tallest building in the [[European Union]].
Warsaw hosts the headquarters of [[Frontex]], the EU's border control agency.
===[[Warsaw Stock Exchange]]===
Although Warsaw was home to a stock exchange from 1817, because of political changes after World War II, it could not be reopened after 1945. The WSE only started operating again in April 1991, after the reintroduction of the free-market economy. It is now the biggest stock exchange in the country, with more than 300 companies listed. Ironically enough, from 1991 until 2000 the stock exchange was located in the building previously used as the headquarters of the [[PZPR]] (Polish Communist Party). The capitalization of the exchange was US$440.92 billion (as at 28 December 2007).
===Industry===
During Warsaw's reconstruction after [[World War II]], the communist authorities decided that the city would become a major industrial centre. Numerous large factories were built in the city or just outside it. The largest were the ''Huta Warszawa'' Steel Works and two car factories.
As the communist economy deteriorated, these factories lost significance and most went bankrupt after 1989. Today, the [http://www.hutalw.com.pl/en Arcelor Warszawa Steel Mill] (formerly ''[[Huta Warszawa]]'') is the only major factory remaining. The [[Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych|FSO]] car factory produces cars mostly for export.
==Tourist attractions==
{{Main article|Tourist attractions in Warsaw}}
[[Image:Qt24 rotate.jpg|thumb|center|650px|<center>''[[Plac Zamkowy]] - Castle Square''</center>]]
{{Infobox World Heritage Site
| WHS = Historic Centre of Warsaw
| Image = [[Image:Warsaw - Royal Castle Square.jpg|260px]]
| State Party = {{POL}}
| Type = Cultural
| Criteria = ii, vi
| ID = 30
| Region = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe and North America]]
| Year = 1981
| Session = 4th
| Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/30
}}
*Although today's Warsaw is a fairly young city, it has a lot of tourist attractions. Apart from the [[Warsaw Old Town]] quarter, carefully reconstructed after [[World War 2]], each borough has something to offer. Among the most notable landmarks of the Old Town are the [[Royal Castle in Warsaw|Royal Castle]], [[Kolumna Zygmunta|King Sigismund's Column]], [[Old Town Market Place, Warsaw|Market Square]], and the [[Warsaw Barbican|Barbican]].
*Further south is the so-called Royal Route, with many [[classicism|classicist]] palaces, the [[Presidential Palace in Warsaw|Presidential Palace]] and the [[Warsaw University]] campus. Also the popular [[Nowy Świat Street]] is worth mentioning.
*Warsaw's oldest public park, the [[Ogród Saski]], is located within 10 minutes' walk from the old town.
*Warsaw's biggest public park and said to be the most beautiful is the [[Łazienki Park]]. It is also very old — established in the 17th century and given its current classical shape in late 18th century — is located further south, on the [[Royal Route]], about 3 km from the [[Warsaw Old Town]]
*The [[Powązki Cemetery]] is one of the oldest cemeteries in Europe,<ref>{{cite web
| url =http://ceo.rsi.pl/dokument.php?dzial=2143&id=48006&PHPSESSID=f6c400ad7970068b81fd2708234f8f93 |title =Short and long history of the Powiązki Cemetery | accessmonthday = February 11 |accessyear =2008
| language = Polish }}</ref> full of sculptures, some of them by the most renowned Polish artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. Since it serves the religious communities of Warsaw, be it Catholics, Jews, Muslims or Protestants, it is often called a [[necropolis]]. Nearby is the [[Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery]], one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in Europe.
*To the north of the city centre is the site of the former [[Warsaw Ghetto]].
*The borough of [[Żoliborz]] is famous for its architecture from the 1920s and 1930s. Between Żoliborz and the [[Vistula River]] is the [[Warsaw Citadel]], a monument of 19th century military architecture.
*Former royal residence of king [[Jan III Sobieski]] — [[Wilanów Palace]] is notable for their [[baroque]] architecture and beautiful parks.
*Notable examples of contemporary architecture include the [[Warsaw Palace of Culture and Science|Palace of Culture and Science]], a [[Socialist Realism|Soc-realist]] skyscraper located in the city centre, the [[Stadion Dziesięciolecia]] which used to be the biggest open-air [[market]] in Europe and the ''Plac Konstytucji'' with its monumental [[Social realism]] architecture. The central part of the right-bank (east) [[Praga]] borough it is a place where very run-down houses stand right next to modern apartment buildings and shopping malls.
*[[Ulica Kubusia Puchatka]], probably the only street in the world named after [[Winnie-the-Pooh]] and located in the very centre of a metropolis.
*The modern architecture in Warsaw is represented by:
**[[Metropolitan Office Building]] at ''Plac Piłsudskiego'' (Pilsudski Square) by [[Sir Norman Foster]]
**[[Warsaw University Library]] (BUW) by Marek Budzyński and Zbigniew Badowski with a garden on the roof and beautiful view on the [[Vistula River]]
**[[Rondo 1]] office building by [[Skidmore, Owings and Merrill|SOM]]
**[[Zlote Tarasy]] retail and business centre
*Planned:
**[[Museum of the History of Polish Jews]]
**[[Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw|Museum of Modern Art]]
**[["Kopernik" Science Centre]] ([[Copernicus]])
**[[Złota 44]] — Apartment tower of unique shape by [[Daniel Libeskind]]
**[[Lilium Tower]] - Apartment tower by [[Zaha Hadid]]
*Planned reconstructions:
**[[Saxon Palace]]
**[[Brühl Palace, Warsaw|Brühl Palace]]
<gallery style="margin:2px auto; text-align:center">
Image:4 Warszawa-Lazienki Krolewskie 107.jpg|''[[Fryderyk Chopin]] monument''
Image:Warsaw7kf.jpg|''Skyscrapers of Warsaw''
Image:Warszawawr9.jpg|''[[Saxon Garden]]''
Image:VarsaviaPiazzaMercatoCittàNuovaLatoEst.jpg|''[[St. Kazimierz Church]]''
</gallery>
==Cityscape==
Architecture in Warsaw has largely been shaped by its [[History of Warsaw|history]]. After extensive firebombing in World War II the metropolis been left in ruins. Because of this, Warsaw's current urban landscape is one of modern and contemporary architecture.
{{wide image|Warszawa-skyline-pole mokotowskie.jpg|1000px|<center>''A panorama of modern Warsaw, taken from [[Pole Mokotowskie]]''</center>}}
==Warsaw Mermaid==
[[Image:Warsaw Sirene 1659.PNG|thumb|right|upright|1659, Coat of arms of Old Warsaw on the cover of an accounting book of the city.]]
The mermaid, or ''syrenka'', is the symbol of Warsaw.<ref>{{cite web
| url =http://www.ucl.ac.uk/atlas/polish/mywarsaw/warsaw10.html |title =The Mermaid | accessmonthday = February 11 |accessyear =2008
| language = English }}</ref> This symbol can be found on the [[coat of arms of Warsaw]] and on statues throughout the city. Image of a mermaid have been used on the crest of Warsaw as its symbol, since the mid of the 14th century.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.um.warszawa.pl/v_syrenka/perelki/index_en.php?mi_id=47&dz_id=2 |title = Warsaw Mermaid's Statue | accessmonthday = July 10 |accessyear =2008
| language = English }}</ref>The oldest existing armed seal of Warsaw is from the year 1390. It is a round seal bordered with the Latin inscription ''Sigilium Civitatis Varsoviensis''.<ref name="herb">{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://www.e-warsaw.pl/miasto/herb.htm |title = History of Warsaw's Coat of Arms |work = www.e-warsaw.pl |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref> City records as far back as 1609 document the use of a crude form of a sea monster with a female upper body and holding a sword in its claws.<ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = Ewa Bratosiewicz |url = http://www.warsaw-guide.invito.pl/index.php?str=x41 |title = Other symbols of Warsaw|work = www.warsaw-guide.invito.pl |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref> In 1653 the poet Zygmunt Laukowski asks the question: {{rquote|center|''Warsaw of strong walls; why was the emblem Mermaid with sharp sword, given you by the kings? ''|Zygmunt Laukowski<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://biega.com/syrena.html|title=Warsaw Mermaid - Syrena|accessdate=2008-07-10|format=html}}]</ref>}}
[[Image:Syrenka.jpg|thumb|left|upright|1855 bronze sculpture of ''The Warsaw Mermaid'' in the [[Old Town Market Place, Warsaw|Old Town Market Place]].]]
The origin of the legendary figure is not fully known. Tellers of many stories and legends have tried to explain where she came from. The best-known legend, by Artur Oppman, it that a long time ago two of [[Triton (mythology)|Triton]]'s daughters set out on a journey through the depths of the oceans and seas. One of them decided to stay on the coast of [[Denmark]] and ever since we can see her sitting at the entrance to the port of [[Copenhagen]]. The second mer-maiden reached the mouth of the [[Vistula River]] and plunged into its waters. She stopped to rest on a sandy beach by the village of Warszowa. Local fishermen came to admire her beauty and listen to her beautiful voice. A greedy merchant also heard her songs; he followed the fishermen and captured the mermaid.<ref name="legend">{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://www.e-warsaw.pl/miasto/herb-1.htm |title = History of Warsaw's Coat of Arms |work = www.e-warsaw.pl |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>
Another legend says that a mermaid once swam to Warsaw from the [[Baltic Sea]] for the love of the Griffin, the ancient defender of the city, who was killed in a struggle against the [[Deluge (history)|Swedish invasions]] of the 17th century. The Mermaid, wishing to avenge his death, took the position of defender of Warsaw, becoming the symbol of the city.<ref name="legend" />
Every member of the [[Queen's Royal Hussars]] of the [[United Kingdom]] light [[cavalry]] wears the ''Maid of Warsaw'', the crest of the City of Warsaw, on the left sleeve of his No. 2 (Service) Dress.<ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://www.qohmuseum.org.uk/maid.htm |title = The Maid of Warsaw |work = The Queen's Own Hussars Museum |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref> Members of 651 Squadron [[Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)|Army Air Corps]] of the [[United Kingdom]] also wear the ''Maid of Warsaw'' on the left sleeve of their No. 2 (Service) Dress.<ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://www2.army.mod.uk/linkedfiles/soldierwelfare/supportagencies/aws/communityguides/swf_sa_aws_cg_w/raf_odiham_2008/raf_odiham_section_1.pdf |title = RAF Odiham |work = www2.army.mod.uk |publisher = |pages = |page = 16 |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>
==Famous people==
[[Image:Mariecurie.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Maria Skłodowska-Curie]], was born in Warsaw]]
One of the most famous people born in Warsaw is [[Maria Sklodowska-Curie]], who achieved international recognition in [[Paris]] for her scientific discoveries.<ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = |url = http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1903/marie-curie-bio.html |title = Marie Curie - The Nobel Prize in Physics 1903 |work = nobelprize.org |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>
Another famous person from Warsaw is the musician [[Fryderyk Chopin]]. He was born in the village of [[Żelazowa Wola]], about 60 kilometers from Warsaw, and when Fryderyk was seven months old, the family moved to Warsaw.<ref>{{en icon}} {{cite web |author = Joanna Ławrynowicz |url = http://www.infochopin.pl/en/artykuly.php/1/ |title = Frederick Francois Chopin, the most eminent Polish composer |work = www.infochopin.pl |publisher = |pages = |page = |date = |accessdate = 2008-07-10}}</ref>
{{Further|[[:Category:People from Warsaw]]}}
==Warsaw in rankings==
*[[Largest cities of the European Union by population within city limits|Largest cities of]] the [[European Union]] - ranked 8th
*[[List of most expensive cities for expatriate employees|Most expensive cities]] - ranked 62nd out of 144
*[[List of cities by quality of living|Best cities in terms of quality of living]] - ranked 86th out of 100
*[[List of cities by health and sanitation|Best cities in terms of health and sanitation]] - ranked 100th out of 215
==Sister Cities==
{|style="width: 100%; align:top"
|valign=top|
*{{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} — [[Astana]], [[Kazakhstan]] (2002)
*{{flagicon|Germany}} — [[Berlin]], [[Germany]] (1991)
*{{flagicon|Hungary}} — [[Budapest]], [[Hungary]] (2005)
*{{flagicon|USA}} — [[Chicago]], [[United States]] (1960)
*{{flagicon|Germany}} — [[Düsseldorf]], [[Germany]] (1989)
*{{flagicon|Russia}} — [[Grozny]], [[Russia]] (1997)
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} — [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]] (1991)
*{{flagicon|Japan}} — [[Hamamatsu, Shizuoka|Hamamatsu]], [[Japan]] (1990)
*{{flagicon|Vietnam}} — [[Hanoi]], [[Vietnam]] (2000)
|valign=top|
*{{flagicon|China}} — [[Harbin]], [[China]] (1993)
*{{flagicon|France}} — [[Île-de-France (région)|Île-de-France]], [[France]] (1990)
*{{flagicon|Turkey}} — [[Istanbul]], [[Turkey]] (1991)
*{{flagicon|Ukraine}} — [[Kiev|Kyiv]], [[Ukraine]] (1994)
*{{flagicon|Russia}} — [[Moscow]], [[Russia]] (1993)
*{{flagicon|Norway}} — [[Oslo]], [[Norway]] (2005)
*{{flagicon|Brazil}} — [[Rio de Janeiro]], [[Brazil]] (1997)
*{{flagicon|Latvia}} — [[Riga]], [[Latvia]] (2002)
|valign=top|
*{{flagicon|France}} — [[Saint-Étienne]], [[France]] (1995)
*{{flagicon|Russia}} — [[Saint Petersburg|St. Petersburg]], [[Russia]] (1997)
*{{flagicon|South Korea}} — [[Seoul]], [[South Korea]] (1996)
*{{flagicon|Taiwan}} — [[Taipei]], [[Taiwan]] (1995)
*{{flagicon|Israel}} — [[Tel Aviv|Tel Aviv]], [[Israel]] (1992)
*{{flagicon|Canada}} — [[Toronto]], [[Canada]] (1990)
*{{flagicon|Austria}} — [[Vienna]], [[Austria]] (2001)
*{{flagicon|Lithuania}} — [[Vilnius]], [[Lithuania]] (1998)
|}
references - city's official site - [http://um.warszawa.pl/v_syrenka/new/index.php?dzial=aktualnosci&ak_id=3284&kat=11]
==Varia==
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<div style="background: #ffc; text-align: center; border: 1px solid #667766" class="NavHead">'''Warsaw in art'''
</div>
<div class="NavContent" style="display:none;">
<gallery style="margin:2px auto; text-align:center">
Image:Fo canaletto krakowskie przedmiescie.jpg|''[[Krakowskie Przedmieście]]'', Bernardo Bellotto
Image:Widok palacu w Lazienkach latem.jpg|''[[Łazienki Palace|Palace on the Water]]'', Marcin Zaleski
Image:Piaskarze.jpg|''Sand miners'', Alexander Gierymski
Image:Nowy Swiat.jpg|''[[Nowy Swiat Street]]'', Władysław Podkowiński
</gallery>
</div>
</div>
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<div style="background: #fcc; text-align: center; border: 1px solid #667766" class="NavHead">'''Warsaw in literature'''
</div>
<div class="NavContent" style="display:none;">
{{rquote|left|''City of menace, like a coffin lid<br> thrown down an abyss as if<br> by a tempest's blow –<br> yet proud<br> as a black lion who takes long to die ''|''Warsaw'', [[Krzysztof Kamil Baczynski]]<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.warsawuprising.com/paper/baczynski.htm |title=Poet of Flaming Warsaw|accessdate=2008-07-10|format=html}}]</ref>}}
{{rquote|center|''What are you doing here, poet, on the ruins<br> Of St. John's Cathedral this sunny<br> Day in spring?<br> What are you thinking here, where the wind<br> Blowing from the Vistula scatters<br> The red dust of the rubble?''|''In Warsaw'', [[Czeslaw Milosz]]<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://info-poland.buffalo.edu/classroom/milosz/Resc.html|title=Rescuing poetry|accessdate=2008-07-10|format=html}}]</ref>}}
</div>
</div>
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<div style="background: #fb9; text-align: center; border: 1px solid #667766" class="NavHead">'''Before the war and today'''
</div>
<div class="NavContent" style="display:none;">
<gallery style="margin:2px auto; text-align:center">
Image:Warszawa - Marszałkowska 1912.jpg|[[Marszałkowska Street, Warsaw|Marszałkowska Street]]
Image:Marszałkowska.JPG|Marszałkowska Street
Image:TlomackieSynagogue.jpg|[[Great Synagogue (Warsaw)|Great Synagogue]]
Image:POL Błękitny wiezowiec Warsaw.jpg|Blue Skyscraper
</gallery>
</div>
</div>
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<div style="background: #9fe; text-align: center; border: 1px solid #667766" class="NavHead">'''Warsaw on photochrome prints'''
</div>
<div class="NavContent" style="display:none;">
<gallery style="margin:2px auto; text-align:center">
Image:Mickiewicz29.jpg|[[Adam Mickiewicz]] monument
Image:Theater_Square_Warsaw.jpg|City Hall
Image:Alexander_Church_Warsaw.jpg|[[St. Alexander's Church]]
Image:PałacStaszica.jpg|[[Staszic Palace]]
</gallery>
</div>
</div>
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<div style="background: #bfc; text-align: center; border: 1px solid #667766" class="NavHead">'''Greenery in the City'''
</div>
<div class="NavContent" style="display:none;">
<gallery style="margin:2px auto; text-align:center">
Image:6 Warszawa 383.jpg|Library Garden
Image:Warszawabk1.jpg|[[Łazienki Park]]
Image:5 Warszawa 101.jpg|Botanical Garden
Image:Warsaw10029x.jpg|[[Wilanów Palace]] Park
</gallery>
</div>
</div>
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<div style="background: #ccddcc; text-align: center; border: 1px solid #667766" class="NavHead">'''Major Sights'''
</div>
<div class="NavContent" style="display:none;">
<gallery style="margin:2px auto; text-align:center">
Image:Warszawa-Zamek Królewski.jpg|[[Royal Castle, Warsaw|Royal Castle]]
Image:VarsaviaPiazzaMercatoCittàVecchiaLatoBarss1.jpg|[[Warsaw Old Town]]
Image:Poland Warsaw Łazienki Palace 2.jpg|[[Palace on the Water]]
Image:Warszawa1cp.jpg|[[Wilanów Palace]]
</gallery>
</div>
</div>
==See also==
{{sisterlinks|Warsaw}}
* [[Battle of Warsaw (1920)]]
* [[Siege of Warsaw (1939)]]
* [[Warsaw Uprising]]
* [[Warsaw dialect]]
* [[Stefan Starzyński]]
* [[Warsaw concentration camp]]
* [[Warsaw Pact]]
* [[Warsaw Fire Brigade]]
* [[History of Poland]]
* [[Royal coronations in Poland#St. John's Cathedral, Warsaw|Royal coronations in St. John's Cathedral]]
* [[Soviet military cemetery in Warsaw]]
* [[Dukes of Masovia]]
==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist}}
{{refend}}
==External links==
* {{wikitravel}}
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* [http://www.e-warsaw.pl/index.php Official web page of Warsaw] includes 360° panoramas of the [http://www.e-warsaw.pl/miasto/unesco.htm UNESCO listed] region
* [http://um.warszawa.pl/mapa/ Interactive city map in Polish]
* [http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?c993 Skyscrapers Diagram of Warsaw]
* [http://www.warszawa3d.prv.pl Skyscrapers in Warsaw. Pictures, map, future projects, 3d models]
* [http://mokotow.policja.waw.pl/?page=Structure&id=131 District Police Headquarters – Warsaw II] (part of Warsaw Metropolitan Police)
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{{Poland}}
{{European capitals}}
{{Capital cities of the European Union}}
{{Masovian Voivodeship|state=collapsed}}
{{coor title dms|52|13|48|N|21|00|39|E|type:city}}<!--coordinates for the point from where all distances in Poland are measured-->
[[Category:Warsaw| ]]
[[Category:Capitals in Europe]]
[[Category:City counties of Poland]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Masovian Voivodeship]]
[[Category:Recipients of Virtuti Militari|!Warsaw]]
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