Katowice is the capital of a historical region known as Upper Silesia and the main city of the current Silesian Province. Katowice itself has around 330,000 inhabitants, one part of a 3-million agglomeration of several towns and cities. The region is the most densely populated and urbanised area in Poland.

The city had its heyday in the 1950s when its numerous coalmines and steelworks flourished. Nowadays, the heavy industry has significantly decreased and Katowice is moving towards small businesses and trade. There are still several dozen collieries, ironworks, steel plants, and the city remains the centre of GOP (Upper Silesian Industrial Region). Each year Katowice plays host to trade fairs, including the second biggest event of such type in Poland. Travel to Katowice is convenient with the nearby Katowice-Pyrzowice international airport and an important railway hub.

Apart from being the principle science and educational centre of the region, this lively city with its tall buildings comparable to Warsaw in number, offers a wide range of entertainment that can compensate for the rarity of sights. Most buildings reflect the architecture of the communist period, though there are several remnants of its 19th century impressiveness and numerous examples of modern architecture from 1920s and 1930s. Many buildings' design was influenced by Bauhaus and De Stijl, as well as Le Corbusier's ideas. There are also two unique districts of Katowice, which are really worth a visit: a historical worker's area Nikiszowiec and Giszowiec, designed as garden-town. One characteristic landmark of the city is Spodek (literally "saucer", since it resembles a UFO flying saucer), a great hall used for many purposes, including the biggest rock concerts in Poland.