Polesie Voivodeship

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Polesie Voivodeship (Polish: województwo poleskie, Belarusian: Палескае вайводзтва) was an administrative unit of interwar Poland (1918-1939). It ceased to exist in September of 1939, following German and Soviet aggression on Poland (see: Polish September Campaign).

Image:Polesie Voivodship 1938.png

1 Population
2 Location and area
3 Cities and counties
4 Railroads and industry
5 September 1939 and its aftermath
6 See also

[edit] Population

Its capital, biggest and most important city was Brzesc nad Bugiem (now: Brest in Belarus). It consisted of 10 powiats (counties), 17 towns and 113 villages. In 1921 it was inhabited by 879 417 people, and its population density (20.8 persons per sq. km.) was the lowest in interwar Poland. Majority of population (42%) was Belarusian, especially in the countryside. Poles, scattered everywhere, made around 25%, Ukrainians (mainly in the south-east) - about 17% and Jews (mainly in towns) - around 10%. Also, there were smaller communities of Russians, and some members of the population insisted on calling them the “locals”.

[edit] Location and area

Voivodeship’s area was 42 280 square kilometers and it was the biggest in interwar Poland. It was located in eastern part of the country, bordering Soviet Union to the east, Lublin Voivodeship and Bialystok Voivodeship to the west, Nowogródek Voivodeship to the north and Volhynian Voivodeship to the south. Most part of it was covered by the Polesie swamp - a flat, vast, sparsely inhabited area, with several rivers and streams. Access to some villages and hamlets was possible only by boats ,especially in early spring, when waters of the Pripyat and other rivers rose due to snow's melting.

[edit] Cities and counties

Brzesc, voivodeship’s capital was the biggest city, however its population was not impressive - only about 35 000 (as for 1939). Other important centers in the voivodeship were: Pinsk (pop. 25 000), Kobryn (pop. 10 000) Pruzana (pop. 6 500) and Sarny (pop. 6 000).

Counties of Poleskie Voivodeship:

Brześć county (area 4845 sq. km.),
Drohiczyn county (area 2362 sq. km.),
Kamień Koszyrski county (area 3224 sq. km.),
Kobryn county (area 3801 sq. km.),
Kossow county (area 3578 sq. km.),
Luniniec county (area 5615 sq. km.),
Pińsk county (area 5459 sq. km.),
Pruzana county (area 2595 sq. km.),
Sarny county (area 5478 sq. km.). In 1930, this county was moved to Volhynian Voivodeship,
Stolin county (area 5352 sq. km.).

[edit] Railroads and industry

In general opinion, interwar Poland was unoficially divided into two parts - Poland “A” (better developed) and Poland “B” (less developed). However, Poleskie Voivodeship should be considered Poland “C”, as it was the most backwards area of the country. Industry was non-existent, agriculture was at the very low level, rail network - scarce with only few lines. Rail hubs were few: Brzesc (with 5 lines coming out of it), Luniniec, Zabinka and Sarny. Interesting is the fact that in late 1930s Polish government constructed a modern, paved road which connected Pinsk and Drohiczyn. Great part of population was illiterate, in spite of efforts of Polish government, schools were few and far between.

[edit] September 1939 and its aftermath

On September 17, 1939, following German aggression on Poland and Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, Soviet forces invaded eastern Poland. As bulk of Polish Army was concentrated in the west, fighting Germans, the Soviets met with little resistance and their troops quickly moved westwards, until they reached Brzesc. Later, Voivodeship’s area was incorporated into Soviet Union and divided between Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. Now, most of former Poleskie Voivodeship belongs to Belarus (together with Brzesc and Pinsk), only southern part belongs to Ukraine (with Sarny).