Odolanów

Odolanów is an urban-rural municipality located in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, with its administrative seat in the town of Odolanów. As of January 1, 2020, it had a population of 14,655. The municipality lies in the western part of Ostrów County, within the Odolanów Basin, an area protected under the Natura 2000 network. It covers an area of 136.09 km², with forests accounting for 21.6% of its territory, which plays a significant role in the local natural environment. The municipality borders the town of Sulmierzyce and the municipalities of Milicz, Ostrów Wielkopolski, Przygodzice, and Sośnie. Its water resources, including the Barycz and Kuroch rivers, as well as numerous smaller streams, attract nature enthusiasts. Odolanów is also known as a gateway to the Barycz Valley Landscape Park, making it an important tourist destination in the region. Economically, the municipality is notable for its natural gas extraction in the villages of Garki and Tarchały Wielkie, as well as its developed food industry. Agriculture plays a lesser role due to unfavorable soil conditions. It is worth noting that Odolanów is among the top 100 most indebted municipalities in Poland. The area is served by provincial roads, ensuring good connectivity to nearby towns, and also has railway connections to Ostrów Wielkopolski and Grabów Wielki. With its rich history and attractive natural features, the Municipality of Odolanów is an important part of the regional socio-economic structure.