# Elbląg

> place in Warmian-Masurian, Poland

**Wikidata**: [Q104712](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104712)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbląg)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/elblag

## Summary
Elbląg is a city with powiat rights located in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship of northern Poland. Founded in 1237, it serves as a significant urban center with a population of 115,220 residents as of the 2021 census. Historically, Elbląg was a Hanseatic city and a Royal city within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, functioning as the capital of the Elbląg Voivodeship during two separate periods.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Elbląg
- **Location:** Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland (since 1999); Europe
- **Coordinates:** 54.152222222222°N, 19.408888888889°E
- **Area:** 79.82 square kilometres
- **Population:** 115,220 (2021 census, most recent value); 119,317 (2019 estimate); 122,568 (2014)
- **Inception:** 1237
- **Country:** Poland (current); Kingdom of Poland (1454–1772)
- **License Plate Code:** NE
- **Postal Code Range:** 82-300–82-315
- **Timezone:** UTC+01:00 (Central European Time, standard); UTC+02:00 (Central European Summer Time, daylight saving)
- **Website:** http://www.umelblag.pl/
- **Demonyms:** elblążanin (masculine singular), elblążanka (feminine singular)
- **Classifications:** City with powiat rights in Poland; City (since 1246); Hanseatic city (since 1358); Royal city in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (until 1772); Big city
- **Former Capital Of:** Elbląg Voivodeship (1975–1998); Elbląg Voivodeship (1454–1466)
- **Award Received:** Work Flag Order, 1st class
- **Member Of:** Union of the Baltic Cities

## FAQs
**What is the demographic breakdown of Elbląg's population?**
According to the 2021 Polish census, Elbląg has a total population of 115,220 people, consisting of 54,944 males and 60,276 females.

**What is the historical significance of Elbląg?**
Elbląg was founded in 1237 and gained city rights by 1246. It became a prominent Hanseatic city in 1358 and served as a Royal city in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1772, during which time it was part of the Kingdom of Poland starting in 1454.

**Where is Elbląg located and what are its geographical features?**
Elbląg is situated in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship in northern Europe. The city covers an area of 79.82 square kilometres and shares borders with Gmina Elbląg, Gmina Tolkmicko, and Gmina Milejewo.

**What international relationships does Elbląg maintain?**
Elbląg is a member of the Union of the Baltic Cities and maintains sister city relationships with over a dozen municipalities worldwide, including Kaliningrad (Russia), Liepāja (Latvia), Compiègne (France), and Tainan (Taiwan).

## Why It Matters
Elbląg holds substantial historical weight as a former member of the Hanseatic League, one of the most influential trade networks in medieval Europe. Its status as a Royal city within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth underscores its past administrative and economic importance. In the modern era, the city functions as a "city with powiat rights," granting it significant local administrative autonomy. Its strategic location in northern Poland and active participation in the Union of the Baltic Cities reinforce its role in regional cooperation and cross-border connectivity.

## Notable For
- Being one of the historic Hanseatic cities, joining the league in 1358.
- Holding the status of a "city with powiat rights," indicating a high level of administrative independence.
- Receiving the Work Flag Order, 1st class, a recognized state award.
- Maintaining an extensive network of at least fifteen sister cities across Europe, Asia, and South America.
- Serving as the capital of the Elbląg Voivodeship during two distinct historical periods (1454–1466 and 1975–1998).

## Body

### Geography and Demographics
Elbląg is geographically positioned in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, a region in northern Poland. The city's precise coordinates are 54.152222222222 latitude and 19.408888888889 longitude. It spans a total area of 79.82 square kilometres. The city borders three other municipalities: Gmina Elbląg, Gmina Tolkmicko, and Gmina Milejewo.

Demographically, the city has experienced a gradual population shift in recent years. The 2014 records indicate a population of 122,568. This number was adjusted to an estimated 119,317 by the end of 2019. The most recent definitive count, based on the Polish census of 2021 conducted on March 31, places the population at 115,220. This census also provides a gender breakdown: 54,944 males and 60,276 females.

### Historical Timeline
The documented history of Elbląg begins with its inception in 1237. The settlement achieved official city status by 1246. A pivotal moment in its development occurred in 1358 when it became recognized as a Hanseatic city, integrating it into the powerful commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in Northwestern and Central Europe.

Politically, the city was integrated into the Kingdom of Poland starting in 1454, a status that lasted until 1772. During this era, it held the title of a "Royal city in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth." It briefly served as the capital of the Elbląg Voivodeship from 1454 to 1466. Much later, from 1975 to 1998, the city once again held the role of regional capital for the Elbląg Voivodeship. Following administrative reforms, it became part of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship in 1999.

### Governance and International Relations
As a city with powiat rights, Elbląg operates with a degree of administrative separation from the surrounding powiat (county). The local government maintains an official website at http://www.umelblag.pl/. The city has been recognized with the Work Flag Order, 1st class.

Elbląg is an active participant in international cooperation, specifically as a member of the Union of the Baltic Cities. Furthermore, it maintains an extensive twinning program with cities across the globe. These partnerships include:
- **Europe:** Compiègne (France); Kaliningrad (Russia, since 1994); Baltiysk (Russia); Barßel and Leer (Germany); Druskininkai (Lithuania); Navahrudak (Belarus); Ternopil (Ukraine); Liepāja (Latvia, since 1991); Hîncești (Moldova); Trowbridge (UK); Nowy Sącz (Poland).
- **Asia:** Baoji (China); Tainan (Taiwan).
- **South America:** Coquimbo (Chile).

### Identification and Records
Elbląg is cataloged in numerous international databases and library systems. Key identifiers include:
- **Library Systems:** Library of Congress Authority ID (n82094603); VIAF ID (133714837); GND ID (4014177-9).
- **Geographical Databases:** GeoNames ID (3099759); Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID (7007656); GNS Unique Feature ID (-500718).
- **Digital Platforms:** Facebook Location ID (115766445100066); Quora Topic (Elblag); BBC Things ID (1c04360c-cd8e-41a0-af17-43c5a382d825); OpenStreetMap Relation ID (1600068) and Node ID (31532258).
- **Cultural Archives:** MusicBrainz Area ID (2051fa9a-abb2-47e5-bd7b-c2a877025771); Archinform Location ID (9200); Museum Digital Place ID (3641).

The city is also referenced in historical encyclopedic works such as the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition (under "Elbing"), Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, and the Great Soviet Encyclopedia.

## References

1. GEOnet Names Server. 2018
2. [Source](https://www.klgd.ru/city/pasport_07052021.pdf)
3. [Source](https://www.liepaja.lv/sadraudzibas-pilsetas/)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/poland/timezones.php)
6. [Source](https://ubc.net/cities/)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Czech National Authority Database
9. MusicBrainz
10. [Source](http://stat.gov.pl/download/gfx/portalinformacyjny/pl/defaultaktualnosci/5468/6/12/1/ludnosc.pdf)
11. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/042815461011-0932703?var-id=1639616&format=jsonapi)
12. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/042815461011-0932703?var-id=1639618&format=jsonapi)
13. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/042815461011-0932703?var-id=1639617&format=jsonapi)
14. [Source](https://sjp.pwn.pl/so/elblazanin;4430939.html)
15. [Source](https://sjp.pwn.pl/so/elblazanka;4430940.html)
16. GeoNames
17. BBC Things
18. TERYT
19. Quora
20. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
21. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
22. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/356573d3-aa25-4b93-9181-7012699b714b)
23. museum-digital