Silesia

Silesia ( /saɪˈliːʒə/ or /saɪˈliːʃə/; Polish: Śląsk ; German: Schlesien; Silesian German: Schläsing; Czech: Slezsko; Silesian: Ślůnsk ; Latin: Silesia) is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts in the Czech Republic, and Germany.

Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław (German: Breslau). Other large cities are Opole (Oppeln), Gliwice (Gleiwitz), Katowice (Kattowitz) in Poland; Ostrava; Opava in the Czech Republic; and Görlitz (Polish: Zgorzelec) in Germany. Its main river is the Oder (Odra).

Silesia's borders and national affiliation have changed radically over time, both when it was a hereditary possession of noble houses and after the rise of modern nation-states. The first known states to hold power there were those of Greater Moravia at end of 9th century and Bohemia early in the 10th century. In the 10th century Silesia was incorporated into the early Polish state, but it later broke into independent duchies, coming under increasing Czech and German influence. It came under the rule of the Crown of Bohemia, which passed to the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy in 1526. Most of Silesia was conquered by Prussia in 1742, later becoming part of the German Empire, the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany up to 1945. After World War I the easternmost part of this region was awarded to Poland by the victorious Allies after rebellions by Silesian Polish people and a plebiscite. After World War II the bulk of Silesia was transferred to Polish jurisdiction and became part of Poland. The remaining parts of Silesia mostly went to Czechoslovakia after World War I, and are part of the Czech Republic.

Most inhabitants of Silesia today speak the national languages of their respective countries (Polish, Czech, German). There is an ongoing debate whether a local Silesian speech should be considered a Polish dialect or a separate language. There also exists a Silesian German or Lower Silesian language, although this form of German is almost extinct.