KOSZALIN

German Kslin, city, capital of Koszalin wojewdztwo (province), northwestern Poland, on the Dzierzecinka River. Koszalin is a resort and manufacturing town; local industry includes timber milling and woodworking, food processing, and machine works. The town, first chronicled in 1214, received municipal rights in 1266. It became an important trade centre through its position on the GdanskSzczecin trade route and built its own merchant fleet. The bishops of Kamien and the Pomeranian dukes made it their headquarters during the 16th and 17th centuries. Koszalin was acquired by the electorate of Brandenburg in 1648 and was not returned to Poland until 1945. Pop. (1982 est.) 94,300.