CHARACTERISTIC OF DISTRICT

The Ostrów District lies in the south-west of the Wielkopolska region, bordering on the region of Dolny Śląsk and the districts of Krotoszyn, Pleszew, Kalisz and Ostrzeszów. Its potential places the Ostrów District amongst the leading districts in the Wielkopolska region. It has a population of more than 160 000, the second largest in Wielkopolska, and occupies an area of 116 065 hectares. The Ostrów District comprises 8 administrative units: the Town of Ostrów Wielkopolski (municipal locality), Nowe Skalmierzyce, Odolanów, Raszków (municipal-rural localities), Ostrów Wielkopolski, Przygodzice, Sieroszewice and Sośnie (rural localities).
61% of the area is devoted to agriculture and 27% is covered with forest. Through the area run communication routes of great importance for national economy: the major roads Warsaw-Łódź, Katowice-Poznań and the rail-way routes Katowice-Poznań, Wrocław – Łódź/ Warsaw.
The Ostrów District is characterised by agriculture and industry and has a very good infrastructure, with a well-developed water system and telephone network, and most localities have their own sewage and purification systems.
There is no tradition of heavy industry in the district, but there are good prospects for the development of the agro-tourist industry.
The prospects for the development of tourism appear promising, especially with regard to the forest areas protected in the numerous nature reserves. The Ostrów District is rich in natural features. The most interesting include the Antonin Oaks, the oak avenue in Raduchów, the birch avenue along the Ołobok-Wielowieś route, the historic parks such as those surrounding the picturesque small palaces and mansions at Moja Wola, Antonin, Lewków, Sobótka, Górzno and Gutów. Nature lovers are delighted by the extensive panorama of the valley Pradolina Baryczy, the rich forest-lands, the well-kept reservoirs, the Przygodzica and Milicz ponds, which are a paradise for water-birds.