Bialystok, with a population of almost 300,000 people, ranks among the larger Polish cities. As the capital of the Podlachia province, Bialystok is in fact the main industrial centre of north-eastern Poland and an important academic city.

Despite the high rate of unemployment in the region, Bialystok is gradually developing thanks to its convenient location within close proximity of the Belarusian, Lithuanian and Russian borders. Besides, it takes advantage of the nearby main overland routes, including the railway line (Berlin-St. Petersburg-Moscow) and the Via Baltica highway. Thus, Bialystok maintains strong economic and cultural relations with the countries of Eastern Europe.

Only a small part of the old architecture survived in Bialystok, but there are several places that are certainly worth a visit. Besides, the Podlachia region is known for its uniquely clean environment, protected in several national parks and reserves. Exploring the rich cultural heritage of the neighbourhood may provide visitors with many surprises, including discovering the traces of a Muslim and Jewish presence.

Considering that the city has been a melting pot of diverse nations, cultures and traditions, it is easy to understand why it was in Bialystok that the artificial language of Esperanto emerged. Its inventor, Ludwik Zamenhof, wanted to find a simple way of communication between nations. Although Esperanto did not become a commonly-used international language, it has spread all over the world, gaining many supporters (with around 2 million users world-wide).