Łódź << looj or lodz >> (pop. 670,642) is one of the largest cities in Poland. Łódź, which is also pronounced << wooj >> in Polish, is the capital of the province of Łódź in central Poland.
Łódź ranks as Poland’s leading manufacturer of cotton cloth and other textiles. It also produces chemicals, electric appliances, machinery, and processed foods. The city is the center of Poland’s motion-picture industry and the home of the University of Łódź.
Łódź received a city charter in the early 1400’s. It expanded rapidly when its textile industry developed during the 1800’s. During World War II (1939-1945), German troops occupied Łódź, and it was severely damaged. The city was rebuilt after the war.
