Wyszki

Wyszki is a rural commune located in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, within Bielsk County, with its administrative seat in the village of Wyszki. Historically, between 1975 and 1998, the commune belonged to the Białystok Voivodeship. Over the years, the population of the commune has changed; as of June 30, 2004, it was 5,062 people, and by the end of 2019, it had decreased to 4,347. The commune covers an area of 206.5 km², of which 71% is agricultural land and 22% is forested. Wyszki constitutes 14.91% of the area of Bielsk County. In a historical context, in 1921, the commune had a population of 6,477 people, with the Roman Catholic faith and Polish nationality being predominant. The commune includes numerous village administrations (sołectwa), such as Bagińskie, Gawiny, and Łapcie, as well as non-administrative villages like Kalinówka and Kamienny Dwór. Keeping historical aspects in mind, it is worth noting the diverse religious and national structure of the inhabitants in the past, which significantly influenced the region's culture. Due to its location, Wyszki Commune also offers diverse natural attractions, and the presence of forests encourages outdoor activities. Neighboring communes, such as Bielsk Podlaski and Brańsk, positively contribute to the development of local social and cultural relations. An interesting fact is that Wyszki is known for its traditional folk customs, which are cherished by the residents and form an element of local identity. The commune combines both historical and modern elements, making it an interesting place on the map of Podlasie.