Gmina Brańsk

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


image_shield = POL gmina Brańsk COA.svg


pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = bottom
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = POL
subdivision_type1 = Voivodeship
subdivision_name1 = Podlaskie
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Bielsk
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Krzysztof Jaworowski
area_total_km2 = 227.3
population_total = 6370
population_as_of = 2007
population_density_km2 = auto
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
coor_type = Brańsk
latd = 52
latm = 45
lats =
latNS = N
longd = 22
longm = 50
longs =
longEW = E
seat = Brańsk
postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = 17-120
area_code = +48 085
blank_name = Car plates
blank_info = BBI
website = http://www.ug.bransk.wrotapodlasia.pl/ __NOTOC__Gmina Brańsk [IPA-pl|b|r|a|ń|s|k] is a rural gmina (Polish:"gmina wiejska") in Bielsk County, Podlaskie Voivodeship. It is located in north-eastern Poland.

Etymology

The name Brańsk comes from the river Bronka, a nearby tributary of the Nurzec River.

Geography

Gmina Brańsk is located in the geographical region of Europe known as the "Wysoczyzny Podlasko – Białoruskie" (Podlaskie and Belarus Plateau) and the mezoregion known as the "Równina Bielska" (Bielska Plain).

The gmina covers an area of convert|227.3|km2|sqmi|1.

Location

It is located approximately:
* north-east of Warsaw, the capital of Poland
* south-west of Białystok, the capital of the Podlaskie Voivodeship
* west of Bielsk Podlaski, the seat of Bielsk County

Climate

The region has a continental climate which is characterized by high temperatures during summer and long and frosty winters . The average amount of rainfall during the year exceeds convert|550|mm|in|1.

Rivers

Three rivers pass through the Gmina:
* The Nurzec River, a tributary of the Western Bug River
* The Siennica River, a tributary of the Nurzec River
* The Czarna River, a tributary of the Nurzec River

Demographics

Detailed data as of 31 December 2007 cite web |url=http://www.stat.gov.pl/gus/45_655_PLK_HTML.htm |title=Central Statistical Office (GUS) "Population: Size and Structure by Administrative Division" |date=2007-12-31 |language=Polish] :

Municipal government

Its seat is the town of Brańsk, although the town is not part of the territory of the gmina.

Executive branch

The chief executive of the government is the mayor (Polish: "wójt").

Legislative branch

The legislative portion of the government is the Council (Polish: "Rada") comprised of the President (Polish: "Przewodniczący"), the Vice President (Polish: "Wiceprzewodniczący") and thirteen councilors.

Villages

The following villages are contained within the gmina:

Bronka, Brzeźnica, Burchaty, Chojewo, Chojewo-Kolonia, Chrościanka, Dębowo, Domanowo, Ferma, Glinnik, Holonki, Jarmarkowszczyzna, Kadłubówka, Kalnica, Kalnowiec, Kiersnowo, Kiersnówek, Kiewłaki, Klichy, Konotopa, Koszewo, Lubieszcze, Majerowizna, Markowo, Mień, Nowosady, Oleksin, Olędy, Olędzkie, Olszewek, Olszewo, Otapy, Pace, Pasieka, Patoki, Pietraszki, Płonowo, Poletyły, Popławy, Pruszanka Stara, Pruszanka-Baranki, Puchały Nowe, Puchały Stare, Spieszyn, Szmurły, Ściony, Świrydy, Widźgowo, Załuskie Koronne, Załuskie Kościelne, Zanie.

Neighbouring political subdivisions

Gmina Brańsk is bordered by the town of Brańsk and the of Gminy of Bielsk Podlaski, Boćki, Dziadkowice, Grodzisk, Klukowo, Nowe Piekuty, Poświętne, Rudka, Szepietowo and Wyszki.

Transport

Roads and Highways

Gmina Brańsk is at the intersection of a National Road and a Voivodeship Road:

* National Road 66 AS-droga|K|66 - Zambrów - Brańsk - Bielsk Podlaski - Kleszczele - Czeremcha - Połowce Border Crossing (Belarus)
*Voivodeship Road 681 AS-droga|W|681 - Roszki-Wodźki - Łapy - Brańsk - Ciechanowiec

Public Transport

Bus Service

Regular bus service is provided in the town of Brańsk by Państwowa Komunikacja Samochodowa ("State Car Communication", PKS) via PKS Bielsk Podlaskie, [http://www.pks.bialystok.pl PKS Białystok] and PKS Siemiatycze

Rail Service

The closest passenger train service is provided by Polskie Koleje Państwowe ("Polish State Railways", PKP) SA from the following stations:
* Szepietowo - express & local service to Warsaw and Białystok - convert|28|km|mi|1 northwest
* Bielsk Podlaski - express & local service to Siedlce and Białystok - convert|25|km|mi|1 east

Nearby Attractions

* Sanktuarium Matki Bożej Pojedniania w Hodyszewie (Our Lady of Hodyszewo Sanctuary) in Hodyzewo - convert|12|km|mi|1 northwest
* Ossoliński Palace in Rudka - convert|7|km|mi|1 west

References