Sejny County

Sejny County, located in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, was re-established in 1999 as a result of the administrative reform. Its capital is the town of Sejny, and the county is characterized by the smallest population in Poland, with a population of 19,914 people as of December 2019. The county consists of the urban municipality of Sejny and the rural municipalities of Giby, Krasnopol, Puńsk, and Sejny. The history of the county is rich—it existed both during the partitions and in the Second Polish Republic, when it was home to various ethnic communities, with Poles and Lithuanians being the most prominent. Sejny County was first established on January 1, 1956, as part of Białystok County, and its administrative boundaries changed over the years. As a result of the 1975 reform, it was incorporated into the Suwałki Voivodeship, and in 1999, it was restored as an independent county within the new Podlaskie Voivodeship. The contemporary demographic structure shows a religiously diverse society; Catholicism predominates, but there are also Orthodox communities and Jehovah's Witnesses. Architecturally, Sejny County boasts beautiful monuments, including numerous churches that reflect the religious and cultural diversity of the region. The town of Sejny is known for its valuable cultural resources, including traditions associated with Lithuanians and the Jewish community, which have contributed to shaping the local historical landscape. It is worth noting that the region's history is not only about preserving traditions but also includes many interesting facts about its inhabitants. For example, the unemployment rate in 2019 was 12.5%, indicating the economic challenges facing the region. Despite this, Sejny County maintains a unique character, where ethnic influences intertwine, making it an interesting place on the map of Poland. It is also worth noting that Sejny has a rich history, and its significance extends beyond local boundaries, attracting the interest of researchers and tourists from various parts of the country.