Gdańsk is the Polish maritime capital with the population nearing half a million. It is a large centre of economic life, science, culture, and a popular tourist destination. Lying on the Bay of Gdańsk and the southern cost of the Baltic Sea the city is a thousand years old. With its Hanseatic tradition, it has for ages played a major role in the commercial relationships between Northern and Western Europe on the one hand, and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe on the other hand. Today, Gdańsk is the capital of the Pomeranian province and an important administration centre.
In its "golden age" the city enjoyed the specific status of a municipal republic. It was also a melting pot of cultures and ethnical groups. The air of tolerance and the wealth built on trade made culture, science, and art. flourish. Today, works by outstanding Gdańsk masters can be admired in museums, churches, and galleries. These collections, as well as the historic sites of enchanting beauty witness a thousand years of the city's continued existence. The break-through events of the most recent turbulent period are documented in the multi-medial exhibition: "Roads to Freedom" arranged in the historic BHP hall of the Gdańsk Shipyard. The exposition recalls the local struggle for freedom and justice, and the birth of the first Independent Trade Union, "Solidarity". These developments triggered the avalanche that toppled communism in Europe.

Gdańsk is a thousand-year-old city with a population nearing half a million. For centuries it has been an important economic, scientific, and cultural centre in the country. Thanks to its location, the fulfilled administrational functions, and extensive international relations Gdańsk plays a significant role in the development of the northern Poland. Its strategic geographical position, developed transport and re-loading base, scientific and technical resources, extensive economic infrastructure, well educated staff, large customer market, and international contacts in place position Gdańsk among the most attractive cities in Poland in terms of the investment potential. The City Board actively participates in winning over new investors, and the communal authorities take care to ensure that the investment environment is politically and economically stable.

The city owns much land in attractive locations and many facilities offered for development, the latter including historic buildings. The opportunities Gdańsk offers its foreign investors include:

• land for commercial and housing projects - also within the historic City
• vast areas for "greenfield" type investments in the outskirts
• post-industrial estate reclaimed from the former Gdańsk Shipyard, designated for a large-scale project envisaging the erection of the so-called New City
• unparalleled locations for investments of the recreational nature along the sea shore

The city is pursuing a large-scale investment programme aimed at bringing its urban infrastructure to the level represented by other cities of the European Union. This is reflected in the share of the investment expense in the total municipal expenditure. With the 16 percent share of investments Gdańsk ranks among the top large cities, members of the Polish Metropolis Union. The city reaches for various financial instruments e.g. loans and municipal bonds. In order to secure relatively cheap sources of finance the commune authorities have the city assessed for its creditworthiness by independent and objective rating agencies. Since 2000 the assessment has been entrusted to the international rating agency of Standard and Poor's. Since 2000 too Gdańsk has retained the long-term domestic and foreign currency credit rating of BBB with the projections remaining stable. Considering the volatile macroeconomic situationin the country and throughout the world, the rating proves the city highly credible financially. The best evidence of the city's stable financial position can be seen in the fact that despite a growing debt incurred to pursue investments Gdańsk's debt to income ratio is going down, unlike in many other metropolis agglomerations in Poland. Nevertheless, the City takes a proactive approach to improving its financial credibility. To that aim, in autumn of 2003 a Long Term Investment Plan 2004-2008 was adopted. The investment projects it envisages will cost PLN 1.3 billion and contribute to improving the general environment for economicdevelopment and the life quality of the Gdańsk population.

Our living standard is determined by the quality of the surrounding natural environment. In Gdańsk the issue of environment protection is given an exceptionally high priority, as is evidenced by its numerous environmental investments. The nature was very generous here. Sprawling on the southern Baltic coast, Gdańsk gains a lot thanks to its background of the picturesque Tri-City Landscape Park and the hills and lakes of the Kashubian Switzerland district. The offer addressed at those who seek leisure at the sea comprises twenty three kilometres of clean beaches, three organised bathing grounds, and a 130-metre long pier. These are appended with such other outdoor attractions as the Gdańsk cycling tracks, zoological gardens, the famous Oliwa Park with its ancient trees, the "Gdańsk Fortress" Culture Park of City Fortifications with unique authentic military architecture, numerous parks and city squares, or the nature reserves of the Sobieszewo Island. The list is far from complete. The heart of the Old City features a yacht marina. Amateurs of water sports can indulge in their pastime out in the Bay of Gdańsk or along the Motława Arm, an exquisite watercourse for canoeing or kayak escapades.

Amber is a mineral of many names: 'jantar', good stone, sacred stone, gold of the north, Baltic gold, and electron. Amber is also a mineral of many colours. Depending on the age amber nuggets range from nearly white, through all shades of yellow and orange, to dark, almost cherry-like red. Amber has been an object of admiration and interest for centuries. Its beauty, pleasing smell, and ease of processing have always earned it a place among decorative stones. The "golden sun-beads" were first praised by Homer himself. Pliny the Elder, a Roman historian, wrote: "Among luxury goods it is valued so high that an amber human figurine, no matter how small, costs much more than men in their prime (slaves)". Considered a precious raw material, amber was used as legal tender. It was also believed to have magical power and healing properties. Turned to precious amulets ages ago, today amber is used in the cosmetic industry and folk medicine. Amber liquor is a known cure for an array of ailments. The most vivid interest, however, has for centuries been stirred by inclusions. Lumps of amber frequently feature insects and plant fragments, bits of life from times millions of years ago sunk in resin and preserved forever.