Gmina Brańsk

Gmina Brańsk is a rural gmina (Polish:gmina wiejska) in Bielsk County, Podlaskie Voivodeship. It is located in north-eastern Poland.

Etymology
The name Brańsk comes from the river Bronka, a nearby tributary of the Nurzec River.

Geography
Gmina Brańsk is located in the geographical region of Europe known as the Wysoczyzny Podlasko – Białoruskie (Podlaskie and Belarus Plateau) and the mezoregion known as the Równina Bielska (Bielska Plain).

The gmina covers an area of 227.3 km2.

Location
It is located approximately:
 * 140 km north-east of Warsaw, the capital of Poland
 * 69 km south-west of Białystok, the capital of the Podlaskie Voivodeship
 * 25 km west of Bielsk Podlaski, the seat of Bielsk County

Climate
The region has a continental climate which is characterized by high temperatures during summer and long and frosty winters. The average amount of rainfall during the year exceeds 550 mm.

Rivers
Three rivers pass through the Gmina:
 * The Nurzec River, a tributary of the Bug River
 * The Siennica River, a tributary of the Nurzec River
 * The Czarna River, a tributary of the Nurzec River

Demographics
Detailed data as of 31 December 2007:

Municipal government
Its seat is the town of Brańsk, although the town is not part of the territory of the gmina.

Executive branch
The chief executive of the government is the mayor (Polish: wójt).

Legislative branch
The legislative portion of the government is the Council (Polish: Rada) composed of the President (Polish: Przewodniczący), the Vice President (Polish: Wiceprzewodniczący) and thirteen councilors.

Villages
The following villages are contained within the gmina:

Bronka, Brzeźnica, Burchaty, Chojewo, Chojewo-Kolonia, Chrościanka, Dębowo, Domanowo, Ferma, Glinnik, Holonki, Jarmarkowszczyzna, Kadłubówka, Kalnica, Kalnowiec, Kiersnowo, Kiersnówek, Kiewłaki, Klichy, Konotopa, Koszewo, Lubieszcze, Majerowizna, Markowo, Mień, Nowosady, Oleksin, Olędy, Olędzkie, Olszewek, Olszewo, Otapy, Pace, Pasieka, Patoki, Pietraszki, Płonowo, Poletyły, Popławy, Pruszanka Stara, Pruszanka-Baranki, Puchały Nowe, Puchały Stare, Spieszyn, Szmurły, Ściony, Świrydy, Widźgowo, Załuskie Koronne, Załuskie Kościelne, Zanie.

Neighbouring political subdivisions
Gmina Brańsk is bordered by the town of Brańsk and the Gminy of Bielsk Podlaski, Boćki, Dziadkowice, Grodzisk, Klukowo, Nowe Piekuty, Poświętne, Rudka, Szepietowo and Wyszki.

Roads and Highways
Gmina Brańsk is at the intersection of a National Road and a Voivodeship Road:


 * National Road 66 - Zambrów - Brańsk - Bielsk Podlaski - Kleszczele - Czeremcha - Połowce Border Crossing (Belarus)
 * Voivodeship Road 681 - Roszki-Wodźki - Łapy - Brańsk - Ciechanowiec

Bus Service
Regular bus service is provided in the town of Brańsk by Państwowa Komunikacja Samochodowa (State Car Communication, PKS) via PKS Bielsk Podlaskie, PKS Białystok and PKS Siemiatycze

Rail Service
The closest passenger train service is provided by Polskie Koleje Państwowe (Polish State Railways, PKP) SA from the following stations:
 * Szepietowo - express & local service to Warsaw and Białystok - 28 km northwest
 * Bielsk Podlaski - express & local service to Siedlce and Białystok - 25 km east

Nearby Attractions

 * Sanktuarium Matki Bożej Pojedniania w Hodyszewie (Our Lady of Hodyszewo Sanctuary) in Hodyzewo - 12 km northwest
 * Ossoliński Palace in Rudka - 7 km west