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Bukovec (help·info) (Polish: Bukowiec (info), German: Bukowetz) is a village in Frýdek-Místek District, Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. It has 1,356 inhabitants (2001 census), 33.6% of the population are the Poles.[1] It is the easternmost village of the country and the first village in the Czech Republic through which the Olza River flows. It lies in the historical region of Cieszyn Silesia.
Village was established by Kazimierz, Duke of Cieszyn in 1353. Name of the village is derived from beech forests that grew there (buk is a Polish word for beech). First settlers lived mainly off logging local beech forests. After 200 years, village gained farming-pasture character. Pastures were established on nearby hills. Number of inhabitants rose very slowly. In 1647 only 20 people lived there. Settlers had many children and soon number of inhabitants have risen. They have lived in wooden houses.
Since 18th century villagers lived mainly off transport of salt from Wieliczka to Jabłonków, farming, transport of wood and smithing, and later worked in coal mining and metallurgy. In the interwar period, as well after World War II, smuggling was widespread, as in other villages near the borders.
Village is traditionally Roman Catholic, first church was built in June 1939. Bukovec is still locally known for its relatively slow pace of lifestyle. Villagers keep all cultural and religious traditions. Many traditional old wooden houses can still be seen.
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Coordinates: 49°32′58″N, 18°49′25″E
