Pomerania (Pomorze) is a historical and geographical region in northern Poland along the Baltic coast. It is divided into Western Pomerania (around Szczecin) and Eastern Pomerania (around Gdan'sk) . Geographically, it encompasses two different landscape zones: the coast and, more inland, the lake districts.

Under Duke Mieszko I, Poland's first historically known ruler (in the 10th century), the whole of Pomerania belonged to Poland, but over the subsequent centuries it often changed hands. It has always been a land of many cultures and influences - German, Slavonic and Scandinavian - which has left its imprint on the local art and architecture. The most impressive strongholds and castles, today some of the region's biggest tourist attractions, were built by the Teutonic Knights. After the Second World War almost the whole of Pomerania (except for its westernmost fringes) returned to Poland.

Eastern Pomerania, also referred to as Gdanskian or Vistulan Pomerania, stretches from the Slupia River basin to the delta of the Vistula. To the east, the Gulf of Gdansk cuts deeply into the land. The capital of Eastern Pomerania is Gdansk, one of Poland's three major seaports, a city with a thousand years of history and full of priceless monuments of the past. Gdan'sk neighbours on Sopot, best known for its wide wooden pier, almost half a kilometre long, and the Opera (Opera Les'na) which plays host to the annual International Song Festival. North of Sopot lies Gdynia. The three municipalities make up a vast metropolis known as the Trójmiasto (TripleCity). More to the east stretches the Hel Peninsula, dotted with quiet and pleasant seaside resorts: Jurata, Jastarnia, Chalupy, and Hel, all with clean, wide beaches sheltered by dunes and pine groves which are a delight for those who seek peace and relaxation.

Western Pomerania encompasses the islands of Uznam and Wolin, plus the Szczecin and Koszalin coastlands (with Kolobrzeg marking the border between these two regions). This part of Pomerania also has its share of popular resorts, including Swinoujscie, Miedzyzdroje, Kamien' Pomorski, and Kolobrzeg, each of them a recognised spa.

The Pomeranian Lake District (Pojezierze Pomorskie) extends across the southern part of Eastern and Western Pomerania, and includes the Myslibórz, Drawa and Kashubian Lake Districts (Pojezierze Mysliborskie, Pojezierze Drawskie, Pojezierze Kaszubskie) as well as the Bory Tucholskie (the Tuchola Forest). It's a paradise for loners and nature lovers who stay away from popular resorts with their crowded beaches and noisy discos. But you don't have to be a recluse to take delight in the clean lakes and rivers with their good fishing grounds, or in the vast forests in which you can pick basketfuls of boletus mushrooms.

The sea, beaches, lakes, rivers, and forests provide all the different kinds of tourism. The area abounds in scenic ramblers' walks; you can ride a bike to just about anywhere, and in many places it is also possible to go horse-riding.