New
7 Natural Wonders of the World
New Seven Wonders of Nature-One
of 28 nominees. Winners will be announced in 2011.
The Masurian Lake District or Masurian
Lakeland (Polish: Pojezierze Mazurskie)
is a lake district in northeastern
Poland (Masuria) containing more than
2,000 lakes. It is currently in the
run for being listed into one of the
New7Wonders of Nature.
It extends roughly 290 km (180 mi)
eastwards from the lower Vistula River
to the Poland-Lithuania border and
occupies an area of roughly 52,000
km² (20,000 sq mi). Administratively,
the lake district lies within the
Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. Small
parts of the district lie within the
Masovian and Podlaskie Voivodeships.
The lakes are well connected by rivers
and canals, to form an extensive system
of waterways. The whole area has become
a prime destination for yachtspeople
and canoeists, and is also popular
among anglers, hikers, bikers and
nature-lovers. Many boating enthusiasts
come to Masuria for their great freshwater
salt lakes. The region gets a high
number of tourists every year for
its beautiful scenery.
The lake district was shaped by the
Pleistocene ice age. Many of its hills
are parts of moraines and many of
its lakes are moraine-dammed lakes.
The lakeland was successively part
of the monastic state of the Teutonic
Knights, the Duchy of Prussia, and
the Prussian province of East Prussia.
While part of the German Empire, it
was the location of the First Battle
of the Masurian Lakes (1914) and the
Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes
(1915) during World War I. In 1945
after World War II, it was placed
under Polish administration according
to the Potsdam Agreement and since
then remains as part of Poland.[2]
The Masurian Lakeland is thinly populated,
with many forests, meadows, and pastures.
Fertile black and brown soils are
found in the western part of the district
and produce wheat and sugar beets;
sandy soils in the eastern part of
the district produce potatoes and
rye. The principal urban centres are
Elblag, Olsztyn, and Elk. Resort towns
include Gizycko and Mikolajki.[3]
The Great Masurian Lake
District - Poland. Discover It...Experience
It...
