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Dolny Śląsk is the northwestern part of the historic and geographic region of Silesia in southwestern Poland , located along the middle Odra River and organized as ''województwo dolnośląskie'', with its capital at Wrocław . It was created January 1 , 1999 , out of the former Wrocław , Legnica , Wałbrzych and Jelenia Góra voivodships, pursuant to the Local Government Reorganization Act of 1998. The voivodship's name recalls the region's traditional name, ''Dolny Śląsk'' ("Lower Silesia"). OVERVIEW
Major cities and towns: (population in 1995):
Other cities: Chojnów , Złotoryja (both under 20,000). Administrative divisions
Most popular Surnames in the region HISTORY Early history Early documents mention a number of tribes believed to have lived in Lower Silesia. A Bavaria n geographer (ca. 845 ) reported the Slenzanie (from which it is believed Silesia takes its name) and Dziadoshanie tribes, while a document of the bishopric of Prague ( 1086 ) listed the Zlasane , Trebovane , Poborane , and Dedositze tribes. At the same time Upper Silesia was inhabited by the Opolanie , Lupiglaa , and Golenshitse tribes. In the 9th and 10th Centuries the territory was subject to the Moravian and then Bohemian rulers of the neighbouring area covered by today's Czech Republic . In 990 Silesia was incorporated into Poland by Mieszko I . Feudal Fragmentation of Poland Silesia was split into Lower and Upper parts in ruling over the Lower Silesia with the capital in Wrocław and Mieszko Plątonogi ruling over Upper Silesia with the capital in Opole . Later Silesia was divided into as many as 17 Duchies . Duchies of Lower Silesia in XIV century ( German names in ''italics''):
The Bohemian Crown and Austria (1348-1742) In 1348 most of the Silesian duchies were ruled by the Polish -speaking Piast dukes under the feudal overlordship of Bohemian Kings , and thus became part of the Holy Roman Empire . In 1526 Silesia fell to Austria n rule under the Habsburg dynasty. In Prussia (1742-1945) Most of Silesia became and Upper Silesia . ''See also: Silesia (Prussian Province) '' In Poland (after 1945) In , Legnica Voivodship , Wałbrzych Voivodship and Wrocław Voivodship (1975-1998). As a result of Local Government Reorganisation Act of 1998, these 4 provinces were joined into the Lower Silesian Voivodship (effective 1 January 1999 ), whose capital is Wrocław. TOURISM Most tourists visit the famous ski resorts in Karkonosze mountains with its centres Szklarska Poręba and Karpacz . The cities of Wrocław, Jelenia Góra and Legnica also are famous for visitors. Town of Kudowa Zdroj, located in the Sudety Mountains, about 50 km west of Klodzko, by the Czech border is a very well known resort in Europe , popular with tourists with heart problems. Kudowa's origin goes back to the 15th Century . SEE ALSO |