Gdańsk is the Polish maritime capital with the population nearing half a million. It is a large centre of economic life, science, culture, and a popular tourist destination. Lying on the Bay of Gdańsk and the southern cost of the Baltic Sea the city is a thousand years old. With its Hanseatic tradition, it has for ages played a major role in the commercial relationships between Northern and Western Europe on the one hand, and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe on the other hand. Today, Gdańsk is the capital of the Pomeranian province and an important administration centre.

The Polish name is Gdańsk, and in the local Kashubian language it is known as Gduńsk. Since the city was dominated by its German population, became part of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1792, and was part of the German Empire until 1919, the German name Danzig was widely used until the end of the Second World War. The city's Latin name may be given as any of Gedania, Gedanum or Dantiscum; the variety of Latin names reflects the influence of the Polish, Kashubian, and German names.

Area 262 km²
Population
 - city 460 524 (2004)
 - urban 1,100,000 (Tricity)
 - density 1761/km²
Founded 997
City rights 1263
Latitude 54°40'N
Longitude  18°60'E
Area code +48 +48 58
Car plates GD

HISTORY
The beginnings of Gdańsk go back to the year 980.Shortly before Easter 997 St Wojciech or Adalbert, a missionary and bishop of Bohemia, arrived in the area only to be soon killed by the pagan Prussians. A Benedictine monk, Jan Canaparius from the Aventine monastery described his life and death. In the records he referred to "urbs Gyddanyzc" or the city of Gdańsk as the place where the saint was believed to have baptised a large number of the newly converted. In this context today 's city on the Motława River was first mentioned in writing.  more......

WHAT TO SEE... ?
The city boasts many fine buildings from the time of the Hanseatic League. Most tourist attractions are along or near Ulica Długa (Long Street) and Długi Targ (Long Market), a pedestrian thoroughfare lined by buildings reconstructed in historical (primarily 17th Century) style and capped on either end by elaborate city gates. This part of the city is sometimes referred to as the Royal Way because it was the procession route of visiting kings.  more....