Świnoujście

▪ Poland

German  Swinemünde 

      town, Zachodniopomorskie województwo (province), northwestern Poland, on a low-lying sandy island, Uznam (Usedom), that separates the Szczeciński Lagoon (Oderhaff), a lake at the mouth of the Oder River, from the Baltic Sea. A major fishing port and resort, Świnoujście has fine beaches.

      The town was first chronicled in 1181, though it existed earlier as a fishing settlement. It also served as a strategic stronghold for defenders of the Szczeciński Lagoon. The town was invaded several times, principally by the Danes, Swedes, and Germans. It became a German industrial and naval base in the 19th century. During World War II it was devastated, but it has been rebuilt as part of the growing Szczecin-Świnoujście port complex, one of Poland's largest in cargo handled. Świnoujście has ferry connections to Sweden and Denmark. Pop. (2002) 41,796.

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