25 Interesting Facts About Warsaw

Facts About Warsaw

Facts About Warsaw

  1. The exact origin of the name is uncertain and has not been fully determined. Originally, Warszawa was the name of a small fishing settlement on the banks of the Vistula river. One theory states that Warszawa means “belonging to Warsz”, Warsz being a shortened form of the masculine Old Polish name Warcisław, which etymologically is linked with Wrocław.
  2. Warsaw produces more than 15% of Poland’s national income.
  3. The first fortified settlements on the site of today’s Warsaw were located in Bródno and Jazdów.
  4. As the capital of Poland, Warsaw is the political centre of the country.
  5. Warsaw’s first stock exchange was established in 1817 and continued trading until World War II. It was re-established in April 1991, following the end of the post-war communist control of the country and the reintroduction of a free-market economy.
  6. Warsaw is ranked as the 7th Largest capital cities of the European Union.
  7. The city of Warsaw covers a total area of 517 square kilometres.
  8. One of the most famous people born in Warsaw was Maria Skłodowska-Curie, who achieved international recognition for her research on radioactivity and was the first female recipient of the Nobel Prize.
  9. Warsaw has one international airport, Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport.
  10. The Royal Castle in Warsaw is a castle residency that formerly served throughout the centuries as the official residence of the Polish monarchs.
  11. Warsaw’s historical Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  12. The tallest building in Warsaw and in Poland is still the Palace of Culture and Science.
  13. Designed by Polish architect Jakub Szczesny the Keret House in Warsaw is considered the narrowest house in the world.
  14. Warsaw’s Lazienki Park is one of the largest palace and park ensembles in Europe.
  15. Warsaw is the capital of Poland in Masovian Voivodeship.
  16. Warsaw is twinned with: Berlin, Germany; Chicago, United States; Düsseldorf, Germany; Grozny, Russia; Hanoi, Vietnam; Kyiv, Ukraine; Moscow, Russia; Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan; Riga, Latvia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Seoul, South Korea; Taipei, Taiwan; Tel Aviv, Israel & Vilnius, Lithuania.
  17. You can find a number of locations named after Warsaw: Warsaw, Ontario, Canada; Warsaw (town), New York; Warsaw, California; Warsaw, Illinois; Warsaw, Indiana; Warsaw, Kentucky; Warsaw, Missouri; Warsaw, Texas.
  18. Warsaw is about 100 m (325 ft) above sea level.
  19. The Population of Warsaw is 1,776,000, as of 2019. Warsaw is the ninth most populated city in the European Union.
  20. Warsaw gained the new title of Phoenix City because of its complete reconstruction after the war, which had leftover 85% of its buildings in ruins.
  21. The first section of the Warsaw Metro was opened in 1995 initially with a total of 11 stations.
  22. Warsaw is the only city in the EU with a nature reserve, Jeziorko Czernikowskie, located in the centre of the city.
  23. People from Warsaw are called Varsovians.
  24. Warsaw hosts the Guinness World Record for the largest parade of Hybrid cars.
  25. Nicknames for Warsaw include “Paris of the North” and “Phoenix City”.
Facts About Warsaw
Facts About Warsaw