Bydgoszcz, the capital of Kujawsko-Pomorskie province lies in the north central part of Poland along the Brda and Vistola rivers, 250 km away from Warszawa and 160 km from the largest port city Gdansk. With 400,000 inhabitants, Bydgoszcz provides modern airport and has round-trip flight to Warsaw every day. Owing to the rapid economic development, Bydgoszcz becomes a center for industry, trade, and finance. There are over 45,000 enterprises, of which the private companies account for 97 percent. As a major industrial center of Poland, the city’s main industries include electrical technology, petrochemicals, machinery, garments, leather, ect. At the same time, the development of service industry grows very quickly, and the proportions of commerce, finance, and real estate are soaring up. Ovr 410 foreign companies are now investing and settling in here for they harbor promising prospects of the city’s market. Bydgoszcz, with over 30 banks, is an important financial base of Poland. In addition, there is a large-scale wholesale trade center and several large fairs. Bydgoszcz, therefore, is turning to be a commercial and trade center. Many a college is located here, including the School of Medicine, Poznan University of Economics, the Music College, and University of Technology and Agriculture. Besides, there are private high schools as well, such as Environment Protection School, Pomorze Economic University. The city has formed a well-developed net of cultural organizations, with a lot of training centers and art creation groups. To be specific, the net includes Pomorze Music Hall, Opera House, Poland Theatre, local museum, the Museum of Poland Diplomatic and Migration, Railway Museum, Pomorze Military Traditional Museum, Art Exhibition Center, the Youth Palace, Provincial and Municipal Library, cinema, art corridor, and clubs. What is more, European or world-class competitive sports are often held here. For instance, in 2004, the city gave the field race of European-Poland Cup. As for sporting facilities, there are 7 stadiums, inside ice-skating rink, dozes of indoor swimming pools, 2 shooting ranges, 6 yachting, 10 rowing, and 6 canoeing centers. In Bydgoszcz, the dwellers can enjoy a pleasant leisure environment. There are types of leisure places, such as Stone Mill Island, beautiful paths along the beach and cycling paths along Brda and Bydgoszcz Canal. So far, culture and leisure forest park enjoys wide popularity. Among other things, the city has Poland Zoo, Paradise, racing course, Plant Park, cable car, and skiing ground. |