RZESZW

city, capital of Rzeszw wojewdztwo (province), southeastern Poland. It lies along the Wislok River at the juncture of the Carpathian Mountains and the Sandomierz Basin. The town lies on the main Krakw-Lviv (Ukraine) road and rail line. The city's economy has expanded greatly since World War II, and some of Poland's largest metal-production plants are located there, as are textile mills and food-processing facilities. Founded in the 14th century on a trade route to Hungary, Rzeszw suffered greatly during the 17th century through wars and was seized by Austria in 1772; it was returned to Poland in 1918. The city's regional museum contains a fine ethnographic collection. Pop. (1990 est.) 150,700.