Land (administrative unit of Poland)

In the history of Poland, a Land (Polish: ziemia, plural: ziemie) was a primary territorial and administrative division, particularly prominent from the late Middle Ages until the partitions of Poland in the late 18th century. Lands were larger than districts (powiaty) and were typically composed of several districts. They served as both units of local government and as electoral districts for the sejmiks (local assemblies).

The specific powers and organization of a Land varied depending on the region and historical period. Generally, Lands possessed their own sejmiks, courts, and officials. The sejmik of a Land elected representatives to the Sejm (Parliament) of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and handled local matters such as taxation and defense.

The emergence of Lands was a gradual process, often linked to the consolidation of power by local magnates and the decline of central authority. While the precise boundaries and significance of Lands evolved over time, they represented a crucial layer of administration and regional identity within the Polish kingdom and Commonwealth. Following the partitions, the administrative structure of Poland was reorganized by the partitioning powers, effectively ending the role of the traditional Lands.