Volhynian Voivodeship

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Volhynian Voivodeship (Polish: Wojewodztwo Wolynskie) was an administrative unit of interwar Poland (1918-1939) as well as of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It ceased to exist in September of 1939, following German and Soviet aggression on Poland (see: Invasion of Poland).

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 was Łuck, Volhynia (now: Lutsk in Ukraine). It consisted of 10 powiats (counties), 19 towns and only 95 villages. In 1921 was inhabited by 1 437 569 people, and the population density was only 47.5 persons per sq. km. Around 68% of population was Ukrainian, 17% - Polish, Jews (mainly in towns) - made around 11%. There were also German (2.3%) and Czech (1.5%) settlers, who arrived in the 19th century.

The religion practiced in the area was primarily Eastern Orthodox Christian. There were also Roman and Eastern Rite Catholics as well as adherents of Judaism and a few Tatars of the Islamic faith.

[edit] Location and area

Voivodeship’s area was 30 274 square kilometers (until 1930). In this year, Sarny county from Polesie Voivodeship was moved to Volhynian Voivodeship. Due to this change, region's area grew to 35 754 sq. km. It was located in south-east part of the country, bordering Soviet Union to the east, Lublin Voivodeship to the west, Polesie Voivodeship to the north, Lwów Voivodeship and Tarnopol Voivodeship to the south. Landscape was flat and hilly in parts.

[edit] Cities and counties

Its capital was Luck, with population of around 25 000 (as for 1939). Other important centers of the voivodeship were: Rowne (pop. 55 000), Kowel (pop. 23 000), Wlodzimierz Wolynski (pop. 22 000), and Krzemieniec (pop. 18 000).

Counties:

- Dubno county (area 3 314 sq. km.),

- Horochow county (area 1734 sq. km.),

- Kowel county (area 5728 sq. km.),

- Kostopol county (area 3417 sq. km.),

- Krzemieniec county (area 2772 sq. km.),

- Luboml county (area 2 004 sq. km.),

- Luck county (area 4 763 sq. km.),

- Rowne county (area 2945 sq. km.),

- Wlodzimierz Wolynski county (area 2 231 sq. km.),

- Zdolbunow county (area 1 366 sq. km.).

[edit] Railroads and industry

Volhynian Voivodeship was located in the so-called Poland “B”, which meant that it was underdeveloped, with non-existing industry and it should be more accurate to call it Poland “C”. Large part of population, especially Ukrainian, was poor, with high level of illiteracy. The situation was much better among Czechs and Germans, whose farms were highly efficient. Railroad network was scarce, with only few junctions - the most important one at Kowel, also at Zdolbunow, Rowne and Wlodzimierz.

[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, occupying Voivodeship’s area with ease. In the years 1942-1944 Volhynia was the scene of several massacres. The ethnic cleansing was carried out by the Ukrainian units, who wanted to get rid of all Poles. As a result, tens of thousands of Poles perished and now Volhynia is almost 100% Ukrainian.

Later, Voivodeship was incorporated into Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Now most part of the region is covered by the Rivne Oblast and Volhynian Oblast of Ukraine.

Województwo wołyńskie

(Coat of Arms)

Historical region

Volhynia

Volhynian Voivodeship (Polish: Województwo Wołyńskie, Latin: Palatinatus Volhynensis) was a unit of administrative division and local government in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from 14th century till 1569 and in the Kingdom of Poland (the Crown) since 1569 till the partitions of Poland in 1795. It was part of Little Poland province and belonged to its Ruthenian (or Ukrainian regions).

Voivodeship Governor (Wojewoda) seat: