The Slaskie (Silesian) voivodship lies in the south of Poland and is bordered by the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Silesian Upland (Wyzyna Slaska) is situated in the central and the north western part, with the hills of the Krakowsko-Czestochowska Upland (Wyzyna Krakowsko-Czestochowska) in the north-eastern area. The southern border is formed by the scenic Beskid Mountains (Beskid Slaski and Zywiecki). Strong links of the present Silesian voivodship (comprising area known as the [Upper Silesia]?) with the Opolskie and Dolnoslaskie (Lower Silesian) voivodships is justified and motivated by historical identity of the Duchy of Silesia (Ksiestwo Slaskie) divided in the 13th century into the Upper and Lower Silesia. The Slaskie voivodship has the highest population density in the country (398 people, as compared to the national average of 124 people, per square kilometre). The region's considerable industrialisation contributes to the lowest national unemployment rate of 6.2%. The Silesian region is the most industrialised, but also considered the greatest environmental hazard among all Polish voivodships (acid rains and mining damage). It is also the most urbanised region and that is why it has the largest number of towns with county status. Katowice? airport is used for domestic and international flights and the Silesian aglomeration railway network has the largest concentration in the country. The voivodship capital enjoys good railway and road connections with Cracow (highway), Wroclaw, Lodz? and Warsaw. It is also the crossing point for many international routes like the one connecting Berlin, Dresden?, Wroclaw, Cracow and Kiev? and the other from Gdansk to [the Balkans]?. A relatively short distance to Vienna facilitates cross-border co-operation and may positively influence the process of European integration.
There are eleven public universities in the voivodship. The biggest university is the Silesian University in Katowice, with 37,000 students. The region's capital boasts the Medical Academy, the Economic Academy, the Musical Academy, the Physical Education Academy and a branch of the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts. Czestochowa is the seat of the Czestochowa Technical University and Pedagogic University. The Silesian Technical University in Gliwice is nationally renowned. Bielsko-Biala is home to a branch of the Lodz Technical University. In addition, 17 new private schools have been established in the region.