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What does the sea provide us with?

The greatest advantage of a seaside location is the possibility to build a port, that is a place where ships can load or unload goods. In Poland, there are 4 large seaports – in Gdańsk, Gdynia, Szczecin and Świnoujście. They have the capacity to accept the largest ships. There are also other ports, e.g. in Elbląg, but the volume of traffic there is low. Szczecin is a particularly interesting port. It is located several dozen kilometers from the sea, with which it is connected by the Oder River. In Poland, there are shipyardsshipyardshipyards (the largest ones are in Gdańsk, Gdynia and Szczecin) which build and repair ships. Ferries depart from Świnoujście, Gdynia and Gdańsk ferriesferryferries to Baltic ports in other countries. In Poland, there are also over 60 fishing harbours and fishing ports. The entire Polish shore is an attractive destination for holidaymakers and tourists. Another significant activity is the extraction of amberamberamber and the production of amber jewellery. Due to frequent and relatively strong winds, it is also possible to produce wind electricity wind farms. Wind farms are built along the coast.

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Fotografia przedstawiająca kutry rybackie na brzegu morza. W tle fotografii widać morze oraz niebo stykające się z morzem na horyzoncie. Przed kutrami, po lewej stronie zdjęcia, znajduje się niewysoki klif porośnięty drzewami liściastymi. Na pierwszym planie plaża z licznymi drobnymi kamieniami.

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Fotografia przedstawia kontenerowca zbliżającego się do portu. Statek wypełniony jest kontenerami różnej wielkości. Na jego pokładzie znajdują się dźwigi służące do rozładunku. Niebo pochmurne.

Seaside places in Poland

Many towns and villages on the Polish coast are of great importance for industry, transport, trade, fishing and tourism. One of the largest cities of the coastal zone is Gdańsk, which is also the most popular tourist destination and has a remarkable history. Smaller towns, such as Darłowo, Władysławowo or Hel attract tourists with their beautiful beaches. Another great attraction for tourists visiting these towns are sea cruises on board of small ships.

Coastal cities

Coastal cities

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Zdjęcie ulicy Długiej oraz Starego miasta w Gdańsku. Widoczne wysokie kamienice wzdłuż ulicy oraz Ratusz w centrum Starego miasta. Sporo przechadzających się osób.

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Fotografia przedstawiająca okręt-muzeum "Błyskawica" dobijający do nabrzeża w Gdyni. Za nim zacumowany trzymasztowiec statek-muzeum "Dar Pomorza". Niebo niebieskie z nielicznymi białymi chmurami.

Żuławy Wiślane situated in the central part of the Gdańsk Seashore are a particularly interesting part of the Polish seashore. Only a few thousand years ago, it was a large bay of the Baltic Sea and the estuary of the Vistula River. The river was continuously transporting sand and mud, depositing it nearby. Gradually, the terrain began to dry up and became overgrown by vegetation. This process was accelerated by people, who dried large areas of land. Today, Żuławy Wiślane are a vast plain with fertile soils. A part of this plain lies lower than the sea level. An area like this is called a depression. However, it is not flooded, because it is separated from the sea by high, strong embankments. Żuławy are cut by canals whose aim is to collect water from the surrounding lands. Without these channels, the ground would be boggy and the depressed areas would be flooded.

Żuławy Wiślane are extremely precious for agriculture. There are some of the best soils here. The fields in this area ensure very high yields. In the central part of Żuławy, only one city was built – Nowy Dwór Gdański.

Summary

• Sea‑related economic activities include seaborne trade and fisheries.

• Gdańsk and other cities and villages located by the sea ensure especially favourable conditions for tourist and leisure activities, water sports and spa services.

• Fertile soils make Żuławy Wiślane valuable for agriculture.

Keywords

Gdańsk, Szczecin, shipyard, ferry, amber, Żuławy Wiślane, port

Glossary