Compilation of Data Galicia German: Galizien, Polish: Galicja, Russian: Galytsiya, Ukrainian and Rusyn: Halycyna, Slovak: Halic, Yiddish: Galitsiye The   region   lays   in   the   Highlands   of   Eastern   Carpathian   Mountains   with   the   population   of   the   very   diverse   ethnicity.   Many inhabitants    of    Galicia    have    light    complexion    and    blond    hair,    some    of    them    claim    being    ethnically    connected    to Scandinavians.   Throughout   the   history,   the   neighboring   countries   including   Austria   and   Germany   encourage   their countrymen   in   the   overcrowded   West   regions,   to   move   to   Galicia   offering   even   material   incentives.   Many   of   the   ethnic Germans did resettle creating uniquely German towns. The   region   has   been   conquered   in   IX   century   by   the   Viking   prince   Rurik.   Than   after   a   few   centuries   become   the   subject of   contention   between   Austria,   Prussia   ( Germany) ,   Poland,   and   Russia.   Eventually   the   territory   of   Galicia   has   been conquered   by   Austria.   Subsequently,   the   “Kingdom   of   Galicia   and   Lodomeria”   has   been   established   in   1772   as   a   crown- land   of   Habsburg   Monarchy,   and   become   the   part   of   Austrian   Empire.   It   remained   as   an   Austrian   province   until   the WW1. After   the   collapse   of   the   Austrian   Empire,   Galicia   has   been   briefly   ( few   months )   annexed   in   1920   by   the   Soviet   Union under   the   name   “Galytsiya   SSR”   and   then   conquered   by   Poland   after   Poles   defeated   the   Soviet   Union   in   the   so   called “Bolshevic   War”.   After   the   WW2,   Galicia   has   been   divided   between   Poland   and   the   Soviet   Union   ( as   a   result   of   the   S.U. collapse and division, the Eastern part was ceded to newly independent Ukraine) . Galicia   is   hilly,   enchantingly   beautiful   and   very   picturesque.   It   rivals   the   Italian   Tuscany,   but   the   winter   weather   is   much more colder and windy. Not to be confused with the Galicia in Spain. Lobentanz, Galicia Small town in Galicia German:   Lobentanz,   in   other   languages;   Novotaniec,   Nebentanz,   Lobothanecze,   Lobedanc.   The   original   name   came from the  first owner of the town; Peter Lobentanz