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characteristics. A comparative analysis of the studies of preconditions and spatial
development of communes included in the elaboration was carried out.
The results of the spatial analyses are largely presented in a text form accompanied
by graphics (maps, cartograms, diagrams). The photographic documentation of the
area is also meant to be regarded as display and presentation material.
Results of analyses
As many as 21 administrative units within Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodship situated
along the Noteć River make up the area covered by this elaboration, and their total
area equals 3 484 square kilometres. They include one urban commune (Inowrocław),
12 urban-rural communes and 8 rural ones. The river crosses twelve communes,
seven are adjacent to the river, and two communes are not situated in the direct
vicinity of it. The area concerned includes thirteen towns, seven of which are directly
associated with the river (the river flows through them): Kruszwica, Pakość, Barcin,
Łabiszyn, Nakło, and Inowrocław, Janikowo are situated in the direct vicinity of the
river. In its northern part the area borders with the urban county of Bydgoszcz. The
population of the area concerned exceeds 347 thousand, which is 16,8% of the total
population of Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodship.
The Noteć River, with its 388,5 km, is the seventh longest river in Poland, and the
area of its basin approximates 17 thousand square kilometres. The river has enjoyed
its important position ever since the Bydgoszcz Canal connected the basins of two
largest rivers in Poland in 1774. Extensive utilisation of the Noteć River as well as the
whole system of canals for transport purposes in the 19 th and 20 th centuries allowed
the development of the city of Bydgoszcz. Even today the Noteć River along with the
Bydgoszcz Water Junction is a part of the E-70 transnational water route linking Berlin
with Kaliningrad. The length of the Noteć River within Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodship
amounts to 127 km, which is a third of its total length.
The natural values of the area are highlighted by the existence of: the Goplo
Millennium Landscape Park, 10 natural reserves, 8 protected landscape areas and
numerous natural monuments. Moreover, the area concerned encloses two areas of
special protection of birds being a part of the European Ecological Programme “Nature
2000”: the Goplo Wildlife Site on the area of the communes of Kruszwica, Jeziora
Wielkie, Piotrków Kujawski), the Valley of Central Noteć and Bydgoszcz Canal on the
area of communes of Nakło nad Notecią, Sadki, Kcynia, Sicienko, Szubin, the city of
Bydgoszcz.
The climate of this area is characterised by high changeability with significant yearly
temperature amplitudes as for Polish conditions. The southern end of the Noteć River
Valley is where the annual average temperature tends to be the highest in the whole
Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodship.
The analysed area is characterised by the existence of excellent soils for agriculture,
with one of the best conditions in the whole Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodship in this
respect. The Noteć River Valley area is generally characterised by a low share of
forests and wooded land. A low level of forestation along with the low level of rainfall
in central and southern part of the area lead to the shortage of water in the soil.
The birth rate, which is the difference between births and deaths on the area, is
moderate and stands at 0,9 births per one thousand inhabitants. The geographical
distribution of the phenomenon is fairly variable. The northern part of the region is
characterised by the highest value of birth rate. By contrast, seven administrative
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