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Warsaw is the bustling capital city of Poland. It’s situated in the east-central part of the country. Warsaw is among the most resilient of the world’s great cities and one of the most cosmopolitan in Central Europe. It is the country’s economic, transportation, and cultural centre. Since World War II, Warsaw has been a symbol of determination and rebirth, influencing other cities around the world. It is famous for its contrasting medieval buildings and modern structures that stand side by side to represent its past and present. Some of the places that make it famous include the Royal Castle, Wilanów Palace, the Warsaw Uprising Museum, and the Palace of Culture and Science.
According to the Central Statistical Office of Poland, as of 2019, Warsaw had a population of 1,798,468. Compared to other cities in Poland, Warsaw is considered to be more diverse. According to the data, 92% of the population is Polish while the rest is made up of different nationalities. Warsaw is considered a secular city, with the majority of the population identifying themselves as Roman Catholic. According to the data collected, 85.9% of people in Warsaw identified themselves as Roman Catholic, 2.4% as Orthodox, 0.1% as Protestant, and 0.3% as other religions. On the other hand, 11.1% of respondents declared that they followed no religion. As a diverse city, Warsaw houses over 1.7 million residents, who collectively speak several languages, including Polish, English, Russian and German. Warsaw’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is known for its green spaces, with around 40 parks within the city limits.
Administration in Warsaw is handled by the Warsaw City Council and the Mayor of Warsaw. The Warsaw City Council is a unicameral governing body consisting of 60 members, who are elected every four years. The Mayor of Warsaw, who has executive powers, is elected directly by the city's inhabitants. The city council and the mayor are responsible for citywide issues, such as strategic planning, most aspects of transport, and economic development. On the other hand, local issues like local planning, schools, social services, local roads and refuse collection are the responsibility of the 18 district councils.
Warsaw is the economic heart of Poland and is one of the most economically robust cities in Central Europe. The city is a major international tourist destination and a significant cultural, political and economic hub. Its economy is characterized by a wide variety of industries such as steel, electrical engineering, and automotive. It has a GDP of over €66 billion, which is about 17 percent of Poland's total GDP. The size of its economy is larger than that of several European countries.
The Warsaw City Council is actively working towards developing the city’s infrastructure. It identifies a range of infrastructure priorities for Warsaw, from new energy, water and sewerage infrastructure, to enhanced digital connectivity and new rail and road schemes. Some of the investment is provided by the private sector. The city is particularly concerned with the improvement of digital infrastructure. The city’s broadband coverage is being expanded, and efforts are being made to eliminate the 'not spots' in digital connectivity.