Gmina Konopnica, Lublin Voivodeship

Infobox Settlement
name = Gmina Konopnica
other_name = Konopnica Commune
settlement_type = Gmina
total_type = Total


image_shield =


subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = POL
subdivision_type1 = Voivodeship
subdivision_name1 = Lublin
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Lublin County
area_total_km2 = 92.75
population_total = 11001
population_as_of = 2006
population_density_km2 = auto
coor_type = Konopnica
latd = 51
latm = 13
lats = 36
latNS = N
longd = 22
longm = 17
longs = 29
longEW = E
seat = Konopnica
website = http://www.konopnica.lubelskie.pl __NOTOC__Gmina Konopnica is a rural gmina (administrative district) in Lublin County, Lublin Voivodeship, in eastern Poland. Its seat is the village of Konopnica, which lies approximately convert|20|km|mi|0 west of the regional capital Lublin.

The gmina covers an area of convert|92.75|km2|sqmi|1, and as of 2006 its total population is 11,001.

Konopnica is a suburban borough od Lublin, some 10 km to the south west od the town. When driving from the town you can see the changes on the landscape from an urban agglomeration, through estates of singlefamily houses and, finally, to the typically Polish countryside of golden fields and green meadows.

The borough of Konopnica is made up of 20 villages and hamlets in which, within an area of 92.75 km², live over 10 000 people. Half od the inhabitants live off farming almost three-guarters of the land in the borough is agricultural. Mainly cereals and sugar beet are grown. Fruit growing is rapidly. The location provides good conditions for development of trade and services. A good road network ensures good communications with Lublin. The Lublin-Warsaw railway line, which runs through the borough, increases the transportation possibilities.

The railway runs along the border between two distinct geographical areas. The area to the north of railway line on the Nałęczowski Plateau which is characterised by a richly sculpted terrain.In this part of the borough can be found the highest point in the Lublin, at a height of 252 m above sea level, and a network of picturesque loess ravines.Stretching away on the other side of the railway line is the Bełżycka Plain. The flat quiet scenery of large fields and meadows reveals the most distant corners of the borough.

There are two large forests in the borough at Radawiec Duży and Tereszyn, as well as some smaller woods with a total area of over 5 km². The unpolluted natural environment and the beautiful scenery present ideal conditions for trip out of town.

History

Slav settlements existed in this area in the early Middle Ages. Archaeological digs carried out in the 1980s confirm this.

As early as the first of the 14th century Motycz was one of the more impornant places on the Lublin area, lying on the main trading rour e to Russia, while from the second half of 14 century that role was being fulfilled by Konopnica. The first reports about the place from 1342 - Konopnica was at that time a royal village and its today is reflected tn the borough's coat of arms.

In 1400 the chronicles of Jan Długosz mention the church at "Conopnicza" it was a wooden temple dedicated to St. Katarzyna. Today in its place stants a brick-built church dating back the beginning of the 20th cenntury.

The rich history of the borough is also reflected by places such as the Swedish military cemetery in Motycz Leśny; "Castle Hill" in Motycz or the lime tree under which Napoleon rested during his march on Russia. The place and the park in Motycz have also been preserved, as well as a fragment of the place park in Radawiec. The railway station in Motycz, which is over 100 years old, is listed in the register of historic buildings.

Neighbouring gminas

Gmina Konopnica is bordered by the city of Lublin and by the gminas of Bełżyce, Jastków, Niedrzwica Duża and Wojciechów.

References

* [http://www.stat.gov.pl/gus/45_655_PLK_HTML.htm Polish official population figures 2006]