CHORZW

city in the centre of the Zaglebie Grnoslaskie (Upper Silesian Basin) agglomeration in Katowice wojewdztwo (province), southwestern Poland. It existed as early as 1136, fell under control of several central European powers, and in 1790 became one of Slask's (Silesia's) first coal-mining centres. In 1864 it was granted municipal rights. In 1934 old Chorzw combined with four neighbouring villages as one community. The city is located on the Krakw-Wroclaw rail line and contains the Kosciuszko Iron and Steel Works. Founded in 1802, the Kosciuszko Works is the largest industrial concern in Slask, and concentrates on mining and metallurgical works. Chorzw was once mainly German-speaking, but the expulsion of these citizens and the immigration of Poles left the population wholly Polish-speaking soon after 1945. The city contains a historical and ethnographic museum. Pop. (1984 est.) 145,100.