Gmina Drawsko Pomorskie is an urban‑rural gmina (municipality) in Drawsko County, within the West Pomeranian Voivodeship of north‑western Poland. Its administrative seat and principal town is Drawsko Pomorskie.
Geography
- Located approximately 90 km east of the regional capital Szczecin.
- The gmina covers an area of about 344.3 km² (132.9 sq mi).
- The terrain is largely flat to gently undulating, characteristic of the Pomeranian Lake District, with numerous lakes and forested areas.
Demographics
- As of the 2006 census, the total population was 24,132, of which 16,745 resided in the town of Drawsko Pomorskie (urban) and 7,387 lived in the surrounding rural villages.
- More recent population figures are not provided here; up‑to‑date statistics can be obtained from Poland’s Central Statistical Office (GUS).
Administrative divisions
The gmina comprises the town of Drawsko Pomorskie and 27 villages and settlements, including:
- Czarne
- Kiełpino
- Króle
- Łączno
- Łowęcino
- Mierzęcin
- Piaskowo
- Piekary Pomorskie
- Przelewice
- Radochowo
- Stara Wioska
- Stare Dębno
- Węgorzyno
(complete village list is available in official gmina registers).
Neighbouring gminas
Gmina Drawsko Pomorskie shares borders with the gminas of:
- Złocieniec (north)
- Kalisz Pomorski (south‑west)
- Czaplinek (east)
- Sławoborze (north‑west)
- Ostrowice (south)
Governance
The gmina is governed by a mayor (wójt for rural areas, burmistrz for the town) and a municipal council elected for four‑year terms. Administrative responsibilities include local infrastructure, education, public safety, and land‑use planning.
Historical context
The area historically belonged to the Kingdom of Poland, later to the Duchy of Pomerania, and after the partitions, to Prussia and Germany. Following World II, the territory was reassigned to Poland under the post‑war border changes. The present gmina structure was established in the administrative reforms of 1999.
Economic activity
The local economy combines services centered in the town (retail, education, health care) with agriculture, forestry, and tourism related to the region’s lakes and natural parks.
References
- Central Statistical Office of Poland (Główny Urząd Statystyczny – GUS), Local Data Bank.
- Official website of Gmina Drawsko Pomorskie (www.drawsko.pl).
Note: Population figures reflect the 2006 census; more recent data should be consulted for current demographics.
