Weather
Krakow enjoys a temperate climate with features of both European marine west coast and more severe continental conditions of Eastern Europe. "Days are longest in June, hottest in July, and most beautiful in August" an old Polish poem says. On the other hand, Krakow’s perfect springs fill the city with sweet-smelling blossoms from mid April through May. While the famed Polish 'golden autumns' bring dry and warm weather amid rich colours of dying leaves from mid September to mid October or so. And Christmas in Krakow is positively white.
Geography
Krakow lies in the very center of continental Europe, i.e. roughly halfway between the westernmost Lisbon in Portugal and the easternmost Urals, and equidistant from the Mediterranean and the arctic Barents Sea. The 800,000 Krakow is Poland’s third largest city and the unquestioned metropolis of its southern half. The city’s area of 326.8 sq. km (0.1% of Poland’s territory) spreads on both banks of the Vistula river, c. 219 meters above the sea level.
Economy
The high-tech gets high profile by day in Krakow. The city boasts Poland’s first and third most-visited internet portals. It can boasts a special economic zone (Krakow Technological Park, meant for major high-tech investments) with the Motorola’s European R&D center, 4 enterprise incubators, 3 commercial-fair grounds, 7 higher economics schools.
History
In 1000 Krakow got its own bishop, and in 1038 the city became Poland’s capital. Krakow’s Golden Age came by the end of the 15th century when it was the thriving metropolis of a vast and prosperous kingdom stretching from the Black Sea to the Baltic Sea.
Environment
In the past ten years every part of Krakow managed to meet the air-quality standards. For instance, fine particulate matter stayed within the range between 46% and 78% of the acceptable concentration. And the sulfur dioxide, responsible for acid rain, stayed in Krakow’s central Grand Square at half the level UNESCO allows for its World Heritage Sites.