# Krzyż Wielkopolski

> city of Poland

**Wikidata**: [Q1021294](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1021294)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krzyż_Wielkopolski)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/krzyz-wielkopolski

## Summary
Krzyż Wielkopolski is a city in west-central Poland, situated within the administrative district of Gmina Krzyż Wielkopolski. As of the 2021 census, it has a population of 6,017 residents and covers an area of 5.83 square kilometres. The city is distinct from the surrounding rural gmina that shares its name.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** City (instance of: city)
- **Location:** Country: Poland; Continent: Europe; Located in: Gmina Krzyż Wielkopolski; Coordinates: 52.879166666667°N, 16.008333333333°E
- **Area:** 5.83 square kilometres
- **Population:** 6,017 (most recent, 2021-03-31, Polish census); previous count: 6,222 (2017-12-31)
- **Gender Breakdown (2021):** Male: 2,902; Female: 3,115
- **Postal Code:** 64-761
- **Timezone:** Standard: UTC+01:00 (Central European Time); Daylight Saving: UTC+02:00 (Central European Summer Time)
- **Website:** http://www.krzyz.pl
- **Administrative Codes:** TERC municipality code: 3002044; SIMC place ID: 0966961
- **Distinction:** The city is a separate entity from the rural Gmina Krzyż Wielkopolski (different_from: Gmina Krzyż Wielkopolski)
- **Multilingual Presence:** Wikipedia articles exist in 27 languages (including pl, en, de, ru, uk, fr)
- **Historical Aliases:** Kreuz, Krzyz Wielkopolski, Kreuz an der Ostbahn, Krzyż, Kreuz/Ostbahn, Kreuz (Ostbahn), Кшиж-Велькопольски

## FAQs
**Where is Krzyż Wielkopolski located administratively?**
It is a city located within the territorial boundaries of Gmina Krzyż Wielkopolski in Poland, but it is a separate urban municipality distinct from the rural gmina administration. Its precise geographic coordinates are 52.879°N latitude and 16.008°E longitude.

**What is the current population and demographic trend?**
The most recent official population count from the 2021 Polish census is 6,017 residents, a decrease from the 6,222 recorded at the end of 2017. The demographic split is 2,902 males and 3,115 females as of March 31, 2021.

**What time zone does Krzyż Wielkopolski observe?**
The city observes Central European Time (UTC+01:00) during standard time and switches to Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00) for daylight saving, in line with the rest of Poland.

**Is Krzyż Wielkopolski twinned with any other city?**
Yes, it maintains a twinned administrative relationship with Bredstedt, a town in Germany.

**What are the historical or alternative names for the city?**
The city has been known by several names, primarily the German "Kreuz" or more specifically "Kreuz an der Ostbahn" (Kreuz on the Eastern Railway), reflecting its historical context. Other aliases include "Krzyz Wielkopolski" and "Krzyż".

**How extensive is its digital and encyclopedic presence?**
The city has a dedicated entry on the Polish-language Wikipedia (title: Krzyż Wielkopolski) which has been translated into 26 other languages. It also has a Commons category and gallery on Wikimedia Commons.

## Why It Matters
Krzyż Wielkopolski serves as a local administrative and residential center within the Greater Poland region. Its historical German name "Kreuz an der Ostbahn" highlights its origins and role as a railway junction ("Ostbahn" refers to the Eastern Railway), which was significant for regional transport and development in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The distinction between the city and the surrounding rural gmina is a key aspect of Polish local government structure. Its twinning with Bredstedt represents post-war European municipal partnerships aimed at fostering international reconciliation and cultural exchange at a community level.

## Notable For
* **Distinct Urban-Rural Boundary:** It is a small city (5.83 km²) that is entirely surrounded by and administratively separate from the larger, rural Gmina Krzyż Wielkopolski.
* **Railway Heritage:** Its historical alias "Kreuz an der Ostbahn" directly references its foundational importance as a crossing point on the historic Eastern Railway line.
* **Multilingual Documentation:** The subject has dedicated Wikipedia articles in 27 languages, indicating a level of international recognition or historical interest disproportionate to its small population.
* **Stable Small-Population Municipality:** It maintains a stable, small population of just over 6,000 residents, with a consistent slight female majority based on recent census data.
* **Formal International Link:** It has an official twinning relationship with Bredstedt, Germany, formalizing a cross-border community connection.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Krzyż Wielkopolski is a city in Poland with a total area of 5.83 square kilometres. It is located on the European continent at the geographic coordinates 52.879166666667° North latitude and 16.008333333333° East longitude. The city is situated within the administrative borders of Gmina Krzyż Wielkopolski but is a separate urban entity from that rural gmina. It lies in the west-central part of Poland, historically within the region of Greater Poland (Wielkopolska).

### Demographics
The city's population has been officially recorded in recent years. As of December 31, 2017, the total population was 6,222. The most recent and preferred value comes from the Polish census of March 31, 2021, which recorded a population of 6,017. The 2021 census also provides a gender breakdown: the male population was 2,902, and the female population was 3,115. This indicates a slight population decline over the four-year period and a consistent demographic pattern with more female residents.

### Administration and Governance
Krzyż Wielkopolski holds the status of a city (instance of: city). Its official postal code is 64-761. For administrative purposes, it is assigned the TERC municipality code 3002044 and the SIMC place identifier 0966961. The city's official website is http://www.krzyz.pl. A critical administrative note is that the city is "different_from" the Gmina Krzyż Wielkopolski, clarifying that while geographically enclosed by it, the city is a separate municipal unit with its own local government.

### Time and Timezones
The city follows the standard timekeeping practices of Poland. During standard time, it operates on Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+01:00. During the daylight saving period, it observes Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+02:00.

### International and Digital Presence
Krzyż Wielkopolski has an international twinning relationship with the town of Bredstedt, Germany, listed as its "twinned_administrative_body". Its digital footprint is substantial for its size. The primary Wikipedia article is titled "Krzyż Wielkopolski" and exists in 27 different language editions, including Polish (pl), English (en), German (de), Russian (ru), Ukrainian (uk), and French (fr). On Wikimedia Commons, it has a dedicated category "Krzyż Wielkopolski" and a gallery. The "sitelink_count" property indicates there are 27 such links across different Wikimedia projects.

### Identifiers and References
The city is catalogued in numerous global and national databases. Its identifiers include:
*   **GND ID:** 4268848-6 (from the German National Library)
*   **Geonames ID:** 3094408
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/0284g9z
*   **Who's On First ID:** 101819037
*   **NL CR AUT ID:** ge1194018 (with scope note "Krzyż Wielkopolski (Poland)")
*   **FactGrid Item ID:** Rudolf Petersen
*   **GNS Unique Feature ID:** -511516
*   **SNARC ID:** Djotto

### Visual Identity
The city has official heraldic imagery. The coat of arms image is available at the specified Wikimedia Commons file path. A separate image file, depicting a twin-towered church (Kościół dwuwieżowy), is also associated with the city.

### Historical Names and Context
The city's historical and alternative names are documented: Kreuz, Krzyz Wielkopolski, Kreuz an der Ostbahn, Krzyż, Kreuz/Ostbahn, Kreuz (Ostbahn), and the Cyrillic rendering Кшиж-Велькопольски. The most historically significant is "Kreuz an der Ostbahn," which translates to "Kreuz on the Eastern Railway," directly referencing its origin as a railway settlement on the Prussian Eastern Railway. This alias provides clear historical context about its development during the period of Prussian/German influence in the region.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/poland/timezones.php)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. [Source](https://www.polskawliczbach.pl/Krzyz_Wielkopolski)
5. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/023016002044-0966961?var-id=1639616&format=jsonapi)
6. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/023016002044-0966961?var-id=1639618&format=jsonapi)
7. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/023016002044-0966961?var-id=1639617&format=jsonapi)
8. GeoNames