Białystok County

Białystok County, established in 1999 as part of Poland's administrative reform, covers an area of 2,984.64 km², making it the largest county in the country. Its administrative seat is the city of Białystok, and according to data from the end of 2020, the county was home to 150,333 people. It consists of nine urban-rural municipalities and six rural municipalities. Among these are towns such as Choroszcz, Łapy, and Supraśl, known for their interesting architectural achievements and rich history. The region features a variety of architectural structures, including wooden Orthodox churches and Art Nouveau buildings, reflecting the county's multicultural heritage. Białystok County has its roots in the interwar period of the Second Polish Republic, when, according to the 1921 census, it had a population of 186,754, with Poles and Jews as the dominant groups and a Belarusian-Russian minority. Interestingly, at that time, 60.8% of the inhabitants identified as Catholic, and a significant proportion were Jewish, contributing to the region's cultural and religious diversity. Today, according to data from September 2019, the county's unemployment rate was 7.9%, indicating the economic challenges it faces. Białystok County borders the city of Białystok (which has county rights) and six other counties, facilitating its integration into regional economic and social life. It is also worth noting the local traditions that have developed over the years, which are reflected in the cultural events organized throughout the county.