The Upper Vistula Basin—A Geographical Overview

Abstract

The Upper Vistula Basin covers a large part of Southern Poland. This area is very diverse, as it comprises of various geographical regions formed during different geological periods what can be seen in its multifarious composition (Carpathian Mountains, Subcarpathian basins, Lesser Poland Uplands). Culturally, it combines a range of secular traditions formulated by different tribes, in particular by its original inhabitants. The majority of the first cities were founded as trade centers (13th–16th century), later transformed into tourist or industrial centers (19th–20th century). The subregions of the Upper Vistula Basin like Silesia, Cracow, Bielsko-Biała, Tarnów–Rzeszów, Tarnobrzeg–Stalowa Wola, continue to develop coal, chemical, steel, light and food industries. Nowadays, these cities are very well connected by a modern grid of motorways, expressways and railways enabling a faster development of the region. Agriculture has been a pillar of economy for the inhabitants of northern part of the Upper Vistula Basin where soils are rich, whereas in the Carpathians where the soils were poorer, only pastoral farming could be developed. In spite of the industrial activity in the region, the natural environment hasn’t been modified much so far what makes it even more attractive for tourists who numerously visit wild and well preserved national parks of the regions, in particular the Tatra National Park. The Upper Vistula Basin is of a great importance in the hydrology of Poland, and its influence goes far beyond its watershed. It embraces the headwater area of the largest river in Poland, i.e. the River Vistula and its tributaries. The water resources (precipitation, river runoff) of the area are the richest in the whole country. The water cycle dynamics in the mountain area is very high due to steep relief, low permeability of the ground, and flood formation develops fast. It has been favoured by intensive surface and subsurface flow in the area with a dense agricultural land fragmentation and field road network.