Sosnowiec is an industrial city located in southern Poland. It has a population of over 200,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in the region. The city developed due to its proximity to coal mines and factories. While industry remains important, the city has been working to develop its trade and services sectors. Sosnowiec has several parks, including an exotarium, and cultural sites like Sielecki Castle that now houses an art center. The city has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages and was once an important center for the region's Jewish population.