Facts About Warsaw
-
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.
-
Warsaw produces more than 15% of Poland’s national income.
-
The first fortified settlements on the site of today’s Warsaw were located in Bródno and Jazdów.
-
As the capital of Poland, Warsaw is the political centre of the country.
-
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.
-
Warsaw is ranked as the 7th Largest capital cities of the European Union.
-
The city of Warsaw covers a total area of 517 square kilometres.
-
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.
-
Warsaw has one international airport, Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport.
-
The Royal Castle in Warsaw is a castle residency that formerly served throughout the centuries as the official residence of the Polish monarchs.
-
Warsaw’s historical Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
-
The tallest building in Warsaw and in Poland is still the Palace of Culture and Science.
-
Designed by Polish architect Jakub Szczesny the Keret House in Warsaw is considered the narrowest house in the world.
-
Warsaw’s Lazienki Park is one of the largest palace and park ensembles in Europe.
-
Warsaw is the capital of Poland in Masovian Voivodeship.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Warsaw is about 100 m (325 ft) above sea level.
-
The Population of Warsaw is 1,776,000, as of 2019. Warsaw is the ninth most populated city in the European Union.
-
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.
-
The first section of the Warsaw Metro was opened in 1995 initially with a total of 11 stations.
-
Warsaw is the only city in the EU with a nature reserve, Jeziorko Czernikowskie, located in the centre of the city.
-
People from Warsaw are called Varsovians.
-
Warsaw hosts the Guinness World Record for the largest parade of Hybrid cars.
-
Nicknames for Warsaw include “Paris of the North” and “Phoenix City”.