The nature of the Zgorzelec Land

The Zgorzelec County due to the geographical properties may be divided into two fundamental parts: the upland southern part and the northern - lowland. The southern areas of the County are the part of the Izerskie Foothills. Next the northern stretches of the Zgorzelec County are situated within the area of the Dolnośląskie Coniferous Forests, the mesoregion, which is a part of the Śląsko-Łużycka Lowland. The southern areas of the County were already in the medieval times seriously deforested, yet the northern lowland part features high aforestation (mainly Scots pine is growing there). Thanks to the specific location, the Zgorzelec County is provided with a very rich flora and fauna. Not so many regions in Poland features so various and different ecosystems. Nearby Węgli niec, the only lowland stand in the country features longleaf pine, which is a post-glacial relic. The forests nearby Trzciniec features common yew, the rare species already vanishing in the natural stands. Our native liana is a frequent component of our forests and parks; there is also common ivy, known from its long life (it lives up to 400 years). The broad-leaved forests are provided with the abundance of plant species (particularly undergrowth). The very peculiar species of the peatland vegetation of the Zgorzelecka Primeval Forest are sundews of two species common sundew and already vanishing long-leafed sundew. The sundews belong to the i nsectivorous plants. They feed on ants and small dragonflies. The Zgorzelec Land is also known of its protected and endangered ferns and lycopods. The local forests also house stags, fallow deer, wild boars, foxes, badgers, raccoon dogs, but also beavers, otters, capercaillie, eagle owl, adders, smooth snakes and even wolves. The ponds and swamps are the habitats of carnes, common snipes and grey lag gooses. White-tailed eagle, black kite, red kite, northern hobby and marsh harrier represent the winged predators. Hamsters, great grey shrike, red-backed shrike, quail and corn crake may be spotted at the meadows and fields, so these animal species, which due to the modern agriculture in the Western Europe have already been completely exterminated or are nearly extinct.

Economy of the County

The special placement of the Zgorzelec Commune at the border with the Czech and German Republics creates exceptionally favourable condition for the development of business.
Attention should be paid to the presence of such raw materials as coal, gravel, sand, and basalt. The area of Bogatynia Town and Commune constitutes the most industrialised part of Lower Silesia, and the big companies of KWB 'Turów' and 'Turów' Electric Power Plant stimulate the development of industry not only in the commune but also in the whole region as well as assure themselves a stable position on the list of the biggest companies in Lower Silesia Province. Both companies jointly employ about 9 000 people and thus create good living conditions for many families in Zgorzelec County.
Zgorzelec County authorities make a lot of effort to stimulate fast development of the small and medium-size businesses as those make the biggest contibution to the general structure of companies operating in the area (currently there are 7 500 registered companies). To support their operation, a Commune Economic Advice Centre in Zgorzelec was created, its activity should constitute the basis for the development of active cooperation and to facilitate functioning of economic subjects. The Centre should stimulate the i nterest of foreign investors in this area of Poland by organizing business meetings,by the support given to polish-german business ventures or by associating business partners.
The location of Zgorzelec Commune close to the borders creates perfect conditions to u ndertake many ventures ai mi ng at integration of the regions, exchanging of experience, coordination in various areas of social and economic life.
The Commune Authorities of Zgorzelec express continuous eagerness to mediate in maki ng business contacts for potential investors who are willing to contribute to the further economic development of the Commune.