Małopolska (Little Poland)
Although Małopolska is the name of one of Poland's 16 administrative provinces, historically the area associated with this name was significantly larger stretching from Czestochowa in the west to Lublin in the east and encompassing the land between this line and the mountain ranges that form Poland's southern border. North of the mountains, it's a region of gently rolling hills and green valleys.
In ancient times, the Vistulans, a Slavic tribe, lived along the upper Vistula River basin near Kraków. Kraków itself became the Poland's capital in 1038 with the royal residence being located on Wawel Hill overlooking the town. In more recent times, namely during the periods of the partitions (1795-1914), Małopolska was part of Galicia, the Austrian province. Since Austrian rule was more relaxed than either that of the Prussian/Germans or the Russians, Małopolska became the location where Polish patriotism found most explicit expression.