Petla Zulawska (The Zulawy Loop) is the region in northern Poland, by the Baltic Sea. It is a part of Pomeranian Coast where the Vistula Delta is situated.
The borders of Żuławy are clearly designated by natural shape of the land. It is a plain land restricted from the west by Cashubian Lakeland, from the east by the border of 100 meter high Elbląg Plateau, in the north separated from Gdańsk Bay by the zone of dunes and Vistula Spit. The north-east of Żuławy Loop reaches Vistula Lagoon.
The region can be divided into 3 main parts
- Żuławy Gdańskie - located between Cashubian Lakeland and left bank of Nogat river;
- Żuławy Malborskie (Żuławy Wielkie) - situated between two arms of Vistula: Nogat and Leniwka;
- Żuławy Elbląskie - situated east of Leniwka, restricted by Elbląg Plateau.
The main value of the landscape is the complex hydrological network and unique terrains created from Vistula's alluvial material. Other preserved landscape elements include various plants usually accompanying streams, oxbow lakes, canals etc.
The section of the Oder river extending between the mouth of its largest tributary, the Warta, near Kostrzyń, and the Baltic Sea is called the Lower Oder Valley
The Barycz Valley has been awarded in the EDEN competition owing to the fact that it is a region of an integrated ecosystems management with well-protected environment and well-preserved cultural traditions.
Drawsko Lake, is 1,871 ha large, 12,6 km long and 3.9 km wide (the 12th largest lake in Poland). Its maximum depth is 83 m, making it the second deepest lake in Poland.
Większość terenu wygranej destynacji znajduje się na obszarze chronionym Biebrzańskiego Parku Narodowego, który należy do największych obszarów chronionych w Polsce. Walory przyrodnicze tego terenu obejmują płynącą na tym terenie rzekę Biebrze, jej rozlewiska, torfowiska, stanowiące najrozleglejsze tereny bagienne w Polsce.
