Gmina Polanów is an urban-rural administrative district (gmina) located in Koszalin County, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, in northwestern Poland. The administrative seat of the gmina is the town of Polanów.
Geography and Territory
The gmina covers an area of approximately 393.08 square kilometers (151.77 square miles). It is situated within the Pomeranian Lake District, a region characterized by post-glacial topography, including numerous hills, forests, and lakes. A significant portion of the district's territory is covered by woodland, and it is drained by rivers such as the Grabowa and Radew.
Administrative Structure
As an urban-rural gmina, Gmina Polanów consists of both the town of Polanów and its surrounding rural areas. The rural portion of the gmina includes numerous villages and hamlets organized into administrative units known as sołectwa. Notable settlements within the gmina include Nacław, Żydowo, and Krąg.
Economy and Infrastructure
The local economy is primarily based on agriculture, forestry, and wood processing. Due to its natural landscape, the area also supports tourism and outdoor recreation, particularly related to its lakes and hiking trails. One of the notable industrial features in the region is the pumped-storage hydroelectric power station located in Żydowo, which utilizes the elevation difference between Lake Kamienno and Lake Kwiecko.
Demographics
As of the most recent official statistical data from the Statistics Poland (GUS), the gmina serves a population of several thousand residents, with a density lower than the national average due to its extensive forested areas.
