Kraków (Polish pronunciation: [ˈkrakuf]) also Cracow, or Krakow (US English /ˈkrækaʊ/, UK English /ˈkrækɒv/) is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River (Polish: Wisła) in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life and is one of Poland's most important economic hubs.