Kashuby is a region of Poland located in the North, to the West of the city of Gdansk - the capital of Pomerania. The region attracts all those who want to discover the fascinating history and culture of this part of Poland and its leisure opportunities. Kashubia’s crystal-clear lakes are a paradise for sailors and wind surfers. Anglers may expect a good catch, since the region's lakes abound in roach, perch, bream, tench and pike.

The second part of Kashubia, located to the south of Norda, is Central Kashubia. Central Kashubia is comprised of the towns/cities of Kartuzy, Zukowo, Koscierzyna, Bytów, Sierakowice as well as a great number of quiet and peaceful villages. This is the heart of Kashubia, full of rolling hills, meandering rivers and streams, clean lakes, and forests which provide shelter to a variety of wild animals.

The third part of Kashubia is Southern Kashubia. This area is seated on two rivers: the River Brda and the River Wda, and is widely revered to the outstanding beauty of its many forests. The origin of the word "Kashubia" is very obscure. One of the most popular theories says that it derives from a word describing a marshy land.

The region, whose name roughly translates to "The Land of Kashuba" or "Kashubia", is a fertile region of rolling hills on the northern edge of Poland that spreads south and west from the shores of the Baltic sea and the main seaport of Gdansk. The region of hills and shores have provided farming and fishing for centuries ans has its own native language of Kashubians which is still spoken but it is rapidly dying out.

Luckily since the beginning of the 20th century and especially since 1945, much effort has been put into research, preservation and promotion of that culture. Books and periodicals are being published; folk art exhibits of pottery, embroidery, amber jewelry, etc. are being sponsored; folk orchestras and song and dance ensembles are being organized; they not only use the old musical instruments while presenting the old songs and dances, but also reenact old customs and family traditions, architecture and sew and wear the reconstructed folk costumes.

In Kashubia there are really three different costumes. One is worn by peasants in the countryside, a different one by the coastal fisherman and a third by the townsfolk. In the late eighteenth century the clothing became more modern in style. The costume illustrated is typical of the Kashubian Lake district in the early nineteenth century. The men wear dark-blue heavy cloth coats with brick-red belts. Their yellow trousers are of lambskin and are tucked into tall black boots. Their black hats have a red embroidered band, however, their cotton or linen shirts are unadorned.

In Kashubia there are really three different costumes. One is worn by peasants in the countryside, a different one by the coastal fisherman and a third by the townsfolk. In the late eighteenth century the clothing became more modern in style. The costume illustrated is typical of the Kashubian Lake district in the early nineteenth century. The men wear dark-blue heavy cloth coats with brick-red belts. Their yellow trousers are of lambskin and are tucked into tall black boots. Their black hats have a red embroidered band, however, their cotton or linen shirts are unadorned.

The Kashubian emblem is a griffin. It first appeared on seals and coats of arms of West Pomeranian dukes as early as the 12th century. In the Pomerania of Gdansk, the emblem was only used by prince Sambor II in the mid 13th century. Officially the griffin has been the emblem of Kashubia since the late 15th century. The Kashubian griffin is black and is set against a yellow or golden background. These colours are also reflected in the Kashubian flag which is also black and yellow. There is no officially acclaimed anthem of Kashubia. However, two texts are regarded to perform this role: young Kashubians tend to prefer "Zemia rodno" by Jan Trepczyk (1907-1989) and the older Kashubian generation consider "Tam gdzie Wisla od Krakowa" by Hieronim Derdowski (1852-1902).

The region's natural treasures include water, forest and hills. Kashubia contains four countryside parks and almost 50 nature reserves sheltering both flora and fauna.

A dense network of outstanding hiking routes, the total length of which exceeds 1,000 km, makes Kashubia a true Mecca for globetrotters. Chains of picturesque hills, sloping down to lakes, diversify the scenery. One of those, Wiezyca (329 m above see level) is the highest in the Lowlands of Central Europe.

The industrialization of early 20th century almost eradicated the Kashubian culture. However, since 1945, there has been growing interest in local preservation movements with a growing number of societies, government programs, and resources dedicated to documenting, preserving, and promoting their culture.

Kashuby is so charming that the region is worth visiting. After all, there are very few spots in Europe where so much beauty is concentrated in such a small area.

Kashubian crystal-clear lakes are a paradise for sailors and wind surfers. Anglers may expect a good catch, since the region's lakes abound in roach, perch, bream, tench and pike.