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Szczecin is situated in the north-west corner of Poland, on both banks of the Oder River, close to Baltic Sea and the German border. The city is situated to the south of and around the greater bay into which the Oder river flows. The Western side is commonly called the Left Bank (Lewobrzeże), and the Eastern side the Right Bank (Prawobrzeże). Between them is an archipelago with many islands (mainly industrial areas with shipyards and sea-port infrastructure). City nameEarly medieval sources show: Stetin 1133, Stetyn 1188, Priznoborus vir nobilis in Stetin, Symon nobilis Stettinensis 1234, in vico Stetin 1240, Barnim Dei gratia dux Pomeranorum... civitati nostri Stetin 1243, Stityn 1251, Sigillum Burgoncium de Stitin municipal seal of the 13th century, which is the same to the modern Polish spelling of Szczecin. The name is almost certainly of the same origin as others Polish names such as Szczytno, Szczucin and Szczuczyn. In Latin, the city was known as Stetinum.  There are several possible etymologies of the city name:
Because in 1310 duke Warcislaw IV has founded a new city called New Szczecin and today Szczecinek modelled after the Szczecin municipality, the original Szczecin was sometimes called the Old Szczecin (Latin: Stetinum Antiqua, Polish: Stary Szczecin, German: Alten Stettin.) In the 16th century Polish literature used two alternative spellings: Szczecin (seems to be the exact pronunciation of the city name used by its Slavonic inhabitants, previously spelled in Latin as Stetin since the 12th century) and Sztetyn (seems to be a copy of the German pronunciation). The first form of Szczecin prevailed in the following years and was officially confirmed in the 19th century, long before the city was again in Polish hands. Prior to 1945, the city, inhabited almost entirely by Germans from late Medieval times, was known internationally and locally as Stettin, its German name. HistoryFull article: History of Szczecin Historical summaryA stronghold of the Lusatian culture was here in the early Iron Age period. Another stronghold of the Pomeranians was built in the 8th century at the ford of the Oder river. The city was already a flourishing trading centre with 10,000 inhabitants when it was subjugated and baptized by Boleslaus III of Poland. A medieval municipality was granted autonomy in 1243. Till the 1630s it was the capital of the Polish Duchy of Pomerania ruled by the Slavonic Griffin dynasty. After their extinction Szczecin fell to Sweden till 1720 (despite the Polish protests), then to Prussia, from 1870 part of the nation-state Germany, until 1945, when it was occupied by the Red Army and became a part of Poland, while its German inhabitants either escaped or were transferred to Germany and the city colonized with Poles, mainly from Poznan area. It was rebuilt and made a major industrial centre, the capital of Szczecin Voivodship. It witnessed anti-communist revols in 1970 and 1980 adding its share to the birth of Solidarity movement. Since 1999 Szczecin is the capital of Western Pomeranian Voivodship. Dukes of Szczecin
Famous people born or otherwise connected with Szczecin
Historical population12th century: 5,000 inhabitants
Architecture and urban planningSzczecin's architectural style is mainly influenced by those of last half of 19th century and first twenty years of the 20th century mostly by Academic art and Art Nouveau. In many areas build after 1945 Social realism is prevalent. Urban planning of Szczecin is unusual. The first thing observed by a newcomer is abundance of green areas: parks and avenues – wide streets with trees planted in the island separating opposite traffic (where often tram tracks are laid); and roundabouts. This makes Szczecin's city project quite similar to that of Paris. The reason is, Szczecin (like Paris) was rebuild in 1880s using a design by Georges-Eugčne Haussmann. This course of designing streets in Szczecin is still used, as many recently build (or modified) city areas include roundabouts and avenues.
Politics and AdministrationMunicipal politicsSzczecin is governed by city council and mayor. Mayor (prezydent miasta), as well as council, is elected by city's citizens every four years. Marian Jurczyk, Solidarity icon, is Szczecin's mayor. His achievements are however widely criticised and he is blamed for over 10 millions zlotys compensations which city must pay for canceling the land selling deal, his lack of formal education, and his apparent cluelessness in many important matters. Mr Jurczyk famous errors includes forgetting the name of his own deputy he just nominated or quoting Jesus in his speech to the council. Because of this criticism recall voices of recall were raised. On 23 March 2004 necessary 32 000 signatures were received by Recall Committee. Recall referendum took place on 23 May 2004. However the necessary 30% turnout wasn't reached as only 19% of voters cast their ballots. An overwhelming majority of those voting (92%), supported mayor's recall. This means that current political situation is quite difficult. Municipal administrationSzczecin is divided into the auxiliary local government districts called neighbourhood councils (rady osiedla). Those districts elect their own councils and are responsible mainly for small infrastructure like trees, park benches, playgrounds, etc. Other functions are mostly advisory. Official list of districts (http://www.szczecin.pl/rada/rady/adres.htm)  Dzielnica Śródmieście (Middle Town)Centrum, Drzetowo-Grabowo, Łękno, Międzyodrze-Wyspa Pucka, Niebuszewo-Bolinko, Nowe Miasto, Stare Miasto, Śródmieście Północ, Śródmieście-Zachód, Turzyn Dzielnica Północ (North)Bukowo, Golęcino- Gocław, Niebuszewo, Skolwin, Stołczyn, Warszewo, Żelechowa Dzielnica Zachód (West)os.Arkonskie-Niemierzyn, Głębokie-Pilchowo, Gumieńce, Krzekowo-Bezrzecze, Osów, Pogodno, Pomorzany, Świerczewo, os.Zawadzkiego-Klonowica Dzielnica Prawobrzeże (Right-Bank)Bukowe-Klęskowo, Dąbie, Majowe-Kijewo, Płonia, Podjuchy, os.Słoneczne, Wielgowo-Sławociesze, Załom, Zdroje, Żydowce-Klucz other historical neigbourhoodsBabin, Barnucin, Basen Górniczy,Błędów, Boleszyce, Bystrzyk, Cieszyce, Cieśnik, Dolina, Dunikowo, Glinki, Podbórz, Jezierzyce, Kaliny, Kępa Barnicka, Kijewko, Kluczewko, Kłobucko, Kniewo, Kraśnica, Krzekoszów(1), Krzekoszów(2), Lotnisko, Łasztownia, Niemierzyn, Odolany, Oleszna, Podbórz, Port, os.Przyjaźni, Rogatka, Rudnik, Sienna, Skoki, Słowieńsko, Sosnówko, Starków, Stoki, Struga, Śmierdnica, os.Świerczewskie, Trzebusz, Urok, Widok, Zdunowo. Members of European Parliament (MEPs) from Szczecin
Members of Sejm from Szczecin constituencyMembers of Parliament (Sejm) elected from Szczecin constituency
EconomySzczecin has the biggest shipyard in Poland, which recently went bankrupt and was successfully reinstated. It has a fishing industry and a steel mill. Major companies:
See also Baltic Sea Ports of 2002. CultureMajor cultural events in Szczecin are:
Museums
Arts and EntartainmentThe are 5 theaters in Szczecin and a philharmonic orchestra.
Education and Science
Scientific and regional organizations
SportsThere are many popular professional sports team in Szczecin area. The most popular sport today is probably football (thanks to Pogon Szczecin just promoted to play in the 1st league in season 2004/2005). Amateur sports are played by thousands of Szczecin citizens and also in schools of all levels (elementary, secondary, university). Professional teams
Amateur leagues
External links
Internet guides
Regional media
History and culture
Economy and transportation
Education and Science
Sports
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