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Grodno Region

Coordinates: 53°45′N 25°20′E / 53.750°N 25.333°E / 53.750; 25.333
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Grodno Region
Гродзенская вобласць (Belarusian)
Гродненская область (Russian)
Region
From the top to bottom-right: Mir Castle Complex, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Sviack Palace, Vawkavysk District, Devil's Lake
Flag of Grodno Region
Flag
Coat of arms of Grodno Region
Coat of arms
Location of Grodno Region
CountryBelarus
Administrative centerGrodno
Largest citiesGrodno - 373,547[1]
Lida - 101,616
Slonim - 49,441
Districts17
Cities: 12
Urban localities: 21
City districts2
Government
 • ChairmanVladimir Stepanovich Karanik[2]
Area
 • Total
25,118.07 km2 (9,698.14 sq mi)
Highest elevation
323 m (1,060 ft)
Lowest elevation
80 m (260 ft)
Population
 (2024)[3]
 • Total
992,556
 • Density40/km2 (100/sq mi)
GDP
[4]
 • TotalBr 23.4 billion
(€6.9 billion)
 • Per capitaBr 22,600
(€6,300)
ISO 3166 codeBY-HR
HDI (2022)0.798[5]
high · 3rd
Websitewww.region.grodno.by
Map

Grodno Region, also known as Grodno Oblast[b] or Hrodna Voblasts,[c] is one of the regions of Belarus. Its administrative center, Grodno, is the largest city in the region. As of 2024, it has a population of 992,556.[3]

Located in western Belarus, it lies on the Neman River. The region borders Minsk Region to the east, Brest Region to the south, Poland (Podlaskie Voivodeship) to the west and Vitebsk Region and Lithuania (Alytus and Vilnius counties) to the north. Grodno's existence has been attested since 1127.

History

[edit]

This region comprised the westernmost "borderlands" of the Early East Slavs (tribal union Dregoviches?) on the lands of the Balts in the 6th-9th centuries CE. In the 12th-14th centuries it formed part of the area sometimes known as Black Ruthenia, which the rulers of Lithuania fully incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL) in the 13th century. The Baltic tribe Yotvingians who inhabited the Grodno Region became Lithuanized, especially during the formation of the State of Lithuania in the 13th century, and subsequently for a long time Grodno and its' area was a part of the Ethnographic Lithuania (e.g. in the 19th century the Lithuanian-inhabited areas were still nearby the present-day suburbs of Grodno city).[6]

In 1413, the area became administratively divided between of the newly established Trakai Voivodeship and Vilnius Voivodeship, and in 1507, the southern part of the current oblast became part of the newly formed Nowogródek Voivodeship. Historical cities of greatest importance were Grodno (seat of Grodno County and one of the main royal residences of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth) Nowogródek (provincial capital since 1507) county seats of Vawkavysk, Slonim and Lida, and Mir, private town of the powerful Radziwiłł family, which were granted Magdeburg Law charters in 1441, 1511, 1503, 1532, 1590 and 1579 respectively.[7]

The strong economic development of the area continued during the reign of Casimir's son - Duke Alexander Jagiellon of Lithuania (r. 1492–1506), who founded the first solid bridge over the Neman River as well as the Monastery of the Order of Saint Augustine and the Monastery of the Polish Ordo Fratrum Minorum. Later, Bona Sforza, Queen consort of Poland and Grand Duchess consort of Lithuania (r. 1518-1548), established her royal residence in Grodno. According to medieval surveys, Grodno had 35 streets and 700 houses in 1558.

The golden age of Grodno came with the reign of Stephen Báthory, King of Poland (r. 1576-1586). During his reign, Grodno became a royal headquarters and began to host sessions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Senate and Parliament (Sejm). In 1580, on the king's order, the castle of Grodno was rebuilt in Renaissance architectural style by Scoto di Parma.

18th-century view of the New Castle in Grodno

At the beginning of the 17th century, Grodno, one of the most developed and important cities in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, was traditionally recognized as the third capital of the commonwealth. Deterioration of the province's status began with the Livonian War between 1558 and 1583, which pitted the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Swedish Empire in a lengthy and exhausting military conflict against the Tsardom of Russia. Between 1765 and 1780, the province regained some of its previous status when Antoni Tyzenhaus, the Treasurer of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Administrator of Polish Royal Estates, governed the capital and the province. Tyzenhaus fostered around 50 new commercial endeavors in the region with the building of manufactures, mills and workshops.

As part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and due to subsequent Partitions of Poland, the whole of the Grodno region was annexed by the Russian Empire by the end of 1795. The city of Grodno then became a seat for the Grodno Governorate.

During World War I the governorate was occupied by Germany. German troops entered Grodno city on 3rd September 1915, plundering the Library of Dominicans Order. During the German occupation, Polish citizens of Grodno region were persecuted and had restricted civil rights. Towards the end of the war, the Belarusian People's Republic (BNR) declared its' independence from Soviet Russia in March 1918 in Minsk. Grodno was the site of the last stand of the BNR's Council (Rada). Soon, the council was forced to flee as Soviet troops invaded the region and the city in 1919. The same year the Polish–Soviet War broke out and continued until 1921.

Lida in the 1930s

Under the terms of the Peace Treaty of Riga the region and the city returned to the Second Polish Republic which claimed rights to this territory as a successor to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and as a victorious side of the Polish–Soviet War. By 1939, Grodno city had 60,000 inhabitants, with Poles and Jews accounting for 60% and 37% of the population, respectively. During Polish rule, Grodno was the centre of Grodno County in Białystok Voivodeship, but some parts of present Grodno Region were in the voivodeships of Nowogródek and Wilno.

After World War II started, on 17 September 1939 (Soviet Invasion of Poland), the Grodno area was invaded by Soviet Union and incorporated, by force, to the Soviet Union as part of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. Over 300 captured Polish defenders of Grodno, including Polish Army officers and youth, were massacred by the Soviets.[8] Grodno was located in the newly established Belastok Region. Thousands were imprisoned or deported to Siberia and Kazakhstan.[9] In the early summer of 1941 the region fell under Nazi German occupation. In November 1941, German occupants established the Grodno Ghetto for Jewish citizens of Grodno and the rest of the region. In 1942, after a year of severe persecution and planned starvation of ghetto inhabitants, 10,000 Jews from Grodno were deported to the German concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau and murdered there. Next year, in 1943, 17,000 of the surviving ghetto inhabitants were again deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau as well as to theTreblinka extermination camp and the Białystok Ghetto. Although on 13 March 1943, German troops reported the end of the extermination and described Grodno city as judenrein (free of Jews), around 50 Jews survived, some hidden by non-Jewish families. Polish and Soviet underground forces acted in the region. Villages like Dziarečyn, which originally had large Jewish populations, were greatly reduced.

As a result of Joseph Stalin's policy of expansion to the west, it was decided (during the Yalta Conference) that the Polish eastern border shall be set along the so-called "original" Curzon Line. Based on this decision, the left-bank part of Grodno town would be kept within the borders of Poland. It is actually not clear till today, how the original Curzon Line near Grodno has been moved by around 20km to the west. When the so-called "mistake" (today regarded rather as sabotage within British ministry structures) became obvious to negotiators, Stalin refused to correct the mistaken line. Despite multiple and desperate appeals from Polish citizens of Grodno, the whole Grodno region, including the Sapotskin Triangle (ethnically Polish till today), was incorporated to the Soviet Belarus and many Poles emigrated or were expelled.[10]

In 1944, the Belastok Region was dissolved and Grodno Region established.

Since 1991, the Grodno Region constitutes one of six regions of independent Belarus.

Heritage and tourism

[edit]

The main tourist attractions in the region are numerous old architectural constructions such as castles in Mir, Lida, and Novogrudok. A part of Białowieża Forest is situated here, but the tourist excursions start from the Brest Region part of the National Park. Zhyrovichy Monastery is also a destination for religious travellers. The Mir Castle Complex and Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are objects of the Belarusian Cultural heritage list, such as the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua in Kamienka, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, St Andrew's Church in Slonim, and the Church of the Holy Trinity in Hyervyaty. Two castles dating from the 14th to 18th centuries are located in Grodno on the steep right bank of the Nemen. One of the city's surviving masterpieces is the 12th century Orthodox Church of St Boris & St Gleb (Kalozhskaya Church), which is the second oldest in Belarus. There is a museum dedicated to poet Adam Mickiewicz in his childhood home in Novogrudok.

There are about 45 travel agencies in Grodno Region, half of them provide agent activity, the other half are tour operators.[11][12]

Demographics

[edit]

The province covers an area of 25,100 km2 and has a population of 1,065,100, giving a population density of 42/km2.[13] About 63.5% live in cities and towns, while 36.5% live in rural areas. Females account for 53% of the region's population and men 47%. There are about 310,000 children under 19, and about 240,000 people aged over 60.

Nowadays, Belarusians account for 62.3% of the population. The region is a home to significant minority populations.

Population (1930)
  • Poles (60.5%)
  • Jews (37.5%)
  • Belarusians (0.5%)
  • Russians (0.5%)
  • Ukrainians (0.2%)
  • Lithuanians (0.2%)
  • Tatars (0.2%)
  • Lithuanians (0.2%)
  • other nationalities (0.2%)
Population (2002)
  • Belarusians (62.3%)
  • Poles (24.8%),
  • Russians (10%),
  • Ukrainians (1.8%),
  • Jews (0.4%),
  • Tatars (0.2%),
  • Lithuanians (0.2%),
  • other nationalities (0.4%).

Whereas Belarus as a whole is primarily Russian Orthodox, Grodno Region has two major religions, Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox. There are 449 religious communities and 18 denominations, 2 Russian Orthodox eparchial districts, 1 Orthodox nun sorority, 2 Catholic monk brotherhoods, 1 Catholic nun sorority, 2 Orthodox and 4 Catholic monasteries, 165 Orthodox and 169 Catholic churches. The Catholic minority[citation needed] is made up mostly[citation needed] of Poles, although the identifier "Pole" has also been historically applied to Catholic Belarusians.

There are a number on national minority associations: 6 Polish, 6 Lithuanian, 4 Jewish, 1 Ukrainian, 1 Russian, 1 Tatar, 1 Georgian, 1 Chuvash.

  • Belarusians in the region   >90%   80–90%   70–80%   60–70%   50–60%   40–50%   <40%
    Belarusians in the region
      >90%
      80–90%
      70–80%
      60–70%
      50–60%
      40–50%
      <40%
  • Poles in the region   >50%   30–50%   20–30%   10–20%   5–10%   2–5%   <2%
    Poles in the region
      >50%
      30–50%
      20–30%
      10–20%
      5–10%
      2–5%
      <2%
  • Russians in the region   >10%   8–10%   5–8%   <5%
    Russians in the region
      >10%
      8–10%
      5–8%
      <5%

Administrative subdivisions

[edit]

Grodno Region is subdivided into 17 districts (rajons), 194 selsoviets, 12 cities, 6 city municipalities, and 21 urban-type settlements.

Districts of Grodno Region

[edit]

Cities and towns

[edit]
Grodno
Lida

Population of cities and towns in Grodno Region:[3][14]

English Belarusian Pop. (2023) Pop. (2018)
Grodno Гродна 358,717 373,547
Lida Ліда 103,915 101,616
Slonim Слонім 49,113 49,441
Vawkavysk Ваўкавыск 41,991 44,004
Smarhon Смаргонь 35,781 37,527
Novogrudok Навагрудак 28,021 29,424
Ashmyany Ашмяны 16,870 16,875
Shchuchyn Шчучын 15,653 15,475
Masty Масты 14,683 15,838
Astravyets Астравец 14,805 10,878
Skidzyelʹ Скідзель 9,742 10,713
Byarozawka Бярозаўка 9,657 10,311
Dzyatlava Дзятлава 7,881 7,624
Iwye Іўе 7,243 7,702
Svislach Свiслач 6,098 6,426

Economy

[edit]
JSC Grodno Azot, the largest industrial company in the region
Belarusian nuclear power plant (under construction)

In 2016, Grodno Region produced 10.9% of the industrial output of Belarus.[15] The biggest company was a nitrogen fertilizer producer, Grodno Azot (16% of regional industrial output).[16] In 2017, the biggest taxpayer of the region was Grodno tobacco factory.[17]

The average salary (before income tax) in the region in 2017 was 700 BYN, lower than the average salary in Belarus (820 BYN). The highest salary in the region was recorded in Grodno (810 BYN).[18]

Unemployment rate in 2017 was estimated at 4.4%, but only 0.8% of the population of employable age was registered as unemployed.[19]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Highest point: Zamkovaya Mountain
    Lowest point: Spot were the Neman River crosses the country's border.
  2. ^ Russian: Гродненская область, romanized: Grodnenskaya oblast'; Polish: Obwód Grodzieński.
  3. ^ Belarusian: Гродзенская вобласць, romanized: Hrodzienskaja voblasć.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Численность населения по г. Гродно и районам Гродненской области на 1 января каждого года с 1996 по 2019гг./Population of Grodno and rayons of the Grodno Region" (in Russian). grodno.belstat.gov.by. 1 January 2019. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Лукашенко принял решение назначить Караника губернатором Гродненской области, областные депутаты поддержали". 22 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Численность населения на 1 января 2024 г. и среднегодовая численность населения за 2023 год по Республике Беларусь в разрезе областей, районов, городов, поселков городского типа". belsat.gov.by. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Gross domestic product and gross regional product by regions and Minsk city in 2023". www.belstat.gov.by.
  5. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org.
  6. ^ Vidugiris, Aloyzas. "Gardino sritis". Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  7. ^ Rewieńska, Wanda (1938). Miasta i miasteczka magdeburskie w woj. wileńskim i nowogródzkim (in Polish). Lida. pp. 11–12.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ^ Agresja sowiecka na Polskę i okupacja wschodnich terenów Rzeczypospolitej 1939–1941 (in Polish). Białystok-Warszawa: IPN. 2019. p. 9. ISBN 978-83-8098-706-7.
  9. ^ "Population transfer in the Soviet Union", Wikipedia, 2024-11-17, retrieved 2024-11-17
  10. ^ "Population exchange between Poland and Soviet Belarus", Wikipedia, 2024-02-04, retrieved 2024-11-17
  11. ^ Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus. (2011). "Number of organizations engaged in tourist activities in 2010 in Belarus". Land of Ancestors. National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  12. ^ Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus. (2011). "Number of organisations engaged in tourist activities in Belarus by region". Land of Ancestors. National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  13. ^ "Main Geographic Characteristics of the Republic of Belarus. Territory and population density of Belarus by region as of January 1, 2011". Land of Ancestors. The Scientific and Production State Republican Unitary Enterprise “National Cadastre Agency” of the State Property Committee of the Republic of Belarus. 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  14. ^ "Численность населения по городам Гродненской области на 1 января 2018 года/Population of cities and towns of the Grodno Region on 1 January 2018" (PDF) (in Russian). www.belstat.gov.by. 1 January 2018. Archived from the original on 19 November 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  15. ^ Industry of Belarus [Промышленность Республики Беларусь]. — Minsk: National Statistics Committee of Belarus, 2017. — P. 39.
  16. ^ "Промышленность". Archived from the original on 2013-12-27. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  17. ^ "Самым крупным налогоплательщиком в Гродненской области стала табачная фабрика "Неман"". Archived from the original on 2019-06-26. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  18. ^ Regions of the Republic of Belarus [Регионы Республики Беларусь]. — Vol. 1. — Minsk: National Statistics Committee of Belarus, 2018. — P. 191—194.
  19. ^ Regions of the Republic of Belarus [Регионы Республики Беларусь]. — Vol. 1. — Minsk: National Statistics Committee of Belarus, 2018. — P. 165—168.
[edit]
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53°45′N 25°20′E / 53.750°N 25.333°E / 53.750; 25.333

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