Józefów

Józefów is an urban-rural municipality located in the Lublin Voivodeship, within Biłgoraj County, with its seat in the town of Józefów. The history of the municipality dates back to the period before the administrative reform of 1954, when it was known as the Aleksandrów Commune. Between 1975 and 1998, the municipality was part of the Zamość Voivodeship. Demographic data shows that in 2006, the municipality had 7,207 inhabitants, and by 2019, this number had decreased to 6,733. Additionally, in 1992, a new Aleksandrów Commune was created from the western part of the municipality. The area of the municipality includes many valuable natural sites, including two nature reserves: Szum, which protects a unique landscape and rare mountain plants, and Czartowe Pole, known for its picturesque valley of the Sopot Stream and rich flora and fauna. The municipality covers an area of 124.72 km², of which 38% is agricultural land and 56% is forests, accounting for 7.43% of the county's area. Within its boundaries are villages such as Borowina, Brzeziny, and Długi Kąt, as well as three districts in the town of Józefów: Józefów Centrum, Józefów Morgi, and Józefów Pardysówka. The municipality borders communes such as Aleksandrów, Krasnobród, Łukowa, Susiec, Tereszpol, and Zwierzyniec, which fosters regional cooperation and cultural exchange. Józefów stands out not only for its rich history but also for its beautiful landscapes, which attract tourists and nature enthusiasts. Local traditions and culture, rooted in the past and cherished by the residents, are also of great interest.