The Internet Bench in Gdańsk, Poland

Perhaps the coolest webcam in Gdańsk is The Bench, where the people pose and get their fifteen seconds of fame. The bench is located in a park near the Grand Mill. Couples, families and friends come often and can be seen on this digital camera, talking on their cell phones, relaxing, eating, playing games, reading or just simply enjoying the pleasant atmosphere. They are aware that all of us can see them and share this moment of their lives. In a small way, we, the observers connect with them and they with us. What a superb use of the web!

Gdańsk is the Polish maritime capital with the population nearing one half million. It is a large center of economic life, science, culture, and a popular tourist destination. Situated on the Bay of Gdańsk and the southern coast of the Baltic Sea, the city is one thousand years old. With its Hanseatic tradition, for ages, it has played a major role in the commercial relationships between Northern and Western Europe on the one hand, and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe on the other hand. Today, Gdańsk is the capital of the Pomeranian province and an important administration center.

In its "golden age" the city enjoyed the specific status of a municipal republic. It was also a melting pot of cultures and ethnic groups. The air of tolerance and the wealth built on trade made culture, science, and art flourish. Today, works by outstanding Gdańsk masters can be admired in museums, churches, and galleries. These collections, as well as the historic sites of enchanting beauty witness a thousand years of the city's continued existence. The break-through events of the most recent turbulent period are documented in the multi-medial exhibition: "Roads to Freedom" arranged in the historic BHP hall of the Gdańsk Shipyard. The exposition recalls the local struggle for freedom and justice, and the birth of the first Independent Trade Union, "Solidarity". These developments triggered the avalanche that toppled communism in Europe.

The recent years have brought extensive transformation of the Gdańsk economy. The city's industrial map continues to include some of the traditional branches, e.g. the shipping, petrochemical, chemical, and food industries. However, the share of know-how based lines such as electronics, telecommunications, IT technology, or cosmetics and pharmaceuticals is on the rise. The specific trade of amber processing is also not minor in importance. Gdańsk cultivates its centuries-long tradition in the field, and its nickname of the world capital of amber is well earned. Just like in the olden days the city owes much to its seaport. The harbor, largest along the Polish coast and in the entire Southern Baltic basin, continues to develop.

Gdańsk is strategically located at the crossing of major transit routes and plays the function of a large transport and cargo handling node. It offers well-developed business infrastructure, rich research, technical, and advisory backup, and highly educated human resources. All these factors put Gdańsk among the top-ranking Polish cities in terms of investment attractiveness. The city owns extensive land available for investments and areas designated for development, including buildings of historic status. The envisaged future of Gdańsk is directed to such ventures as: the bold project of creating a multi-functional downtown area to span 3 Maja Street and bind two separate cities into a single organism: reconstructing the 17 th century Elizabethan theatre, or revitalizing the 19 th century Lower City residential district. Ultimately, the city cherishes a vision of an extensive investment undertaking: the project of erecting the New City on the post-industrial estate reclaimed from the Gdańsk Shipyard.

Gdańsk has a modern international airport and two ferry terminals servicing regular lines between Gdańsk and Copenhagen via Trelleborg (Denmark), and Gdańsk and Nynashamn (Sweden).

Our living standard is determined by the quality of the surrounding natural environment. In Gdańsk the issue of environment protection is given an exceptionally high priority, as is evidenced by its numerous environmental investments. Sprawling on the southern Baltic coast, Gdańsk shines in the background of the picturesque Tri-City Landscape Park, the hills and lakes of the Kashubian Switzerland district. The offer addressed to those who seek leisure at the sea comprises twenty-three kilometers of clean beaches, three organized bathing grounds, and a 130-meter long pier. These are appended with other outdoor attractions as the Gdańsk cycling tracks, zoological gardens, the famous Oliwa Park with its ancient trees, the "Gdańsk Fortress" Culture Park of City Fortifications with unique authentic military architecture, numerous parks and city squares, or the natural reserves of the Sobieszewo Island. The list is far from complete. The heart of the Old City features a yacht marina. Amateurs of water sports can enjoy their pastime out in the Bay of Gdańsk or along the Motława Arm, an exquisite watercourse for canoeing or kayak escapades.

Always hospitable, Gdańsk invites visitors to its charming lanes, historic interiors, bathing grounds on the sea, sailing courses, comfortable hotels, elegant restaurants, and cozy cafes. The city has several theatres, a philharmonic hall, an opera house, an outdoor summer musical stage, three multi-cinema complexes and several smaller cinemas, frequented youth clubs, pubs, and discos. Its numerous museums, concerts, fairs, exhibitions, and street theatrical events complete the broad spectrum of the city's cultural offer. Everyone will find something of his/her liking, irrespective of the interests or mood.

The pictures are stored throughout the day. To view the stored pictures, click on Day at a Glance and look through the displayed thumbnails. Then click on the one you like. To see the time the picture was taken, allow your computer mouse to hover over the thumbnail. If you don't see the picture you are looking for, you can often find it in Time Scope. You can also save the picture and email it as an attachment.

OIC Inc. provides a complete web-based video monitoring service, which includes a secure network, online video storage, quick video lookup and search from the browser.