TARNW

city, capital of Tarnw wojewdztwo (province), southeastern Poland, near the confluence of the Biala and Dunajec (a tributary of the Vistula) rivers. It is an industrial city, producing mainly chemicals, building materials, processed foods, and electrical machinery, and a rail junction on the KrakwLviv (Ukraine) rail line. A fortified town was founded on the site by the wealthy Tarnowski family in 1330. Completely destroyed by fire in the 15th century, it was rebuilt and became a cultural centre in the 16th century. It passed to Austria in 1772 and returned to Poland after World War II, in which all its industrial plants were destroyed. It has two museums. Pop. (1990 est.) 120,400.