# Polessk

> town in Russia

**Wikidata**: [Q182892](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182892)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polessk)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/polessk

## Summary
Polessk is a town in Russia that serves as the administrative center of Polessky District. Founded in 1258, the settlement was historically known as Labiau and is located at an elevation of 3 meters above sea level.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Instance of a city and the capital of Polessky District.
- **Location:** Situated in Russia; formerly part of the Soviet Union.
- **Inception:** Established in 1258.
- **Geography:** Covers an area of 11 square kilometers with an elevation of 3 meters.
- **Coordinates:** 54.866666666667, 21.1.
- **Population:** 6,954 (2023 estimate); 6,926 (2021 census).
- **Historical Names:** Also known as Labiau, Labguva, and Лабиау.
- **Administrative Codes:** OKATO ID 27230501000; OKTMO ID 27718000001.
- **Postal Code:** 238630.
- **Dialing Code:** 40158.
- **Landmarks:** Home to Labiau Castle (inception 1258).
- **Identifiers:** VIAF ID 146546640; GeoNames ID 507291; Great Russian Encyclopedia Online ID 3152609.
- **Documentation:** Described by sources such as Nordisk familjebok and the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary.

## FAQs
**What is the current population of Polessk?**
As of the 2023 estimation, the population is 6,954, which represents a slight increase from the 6,926 recorded during the 2021 census.

**What was Polessk originally called?**
The town was historically known as Labiau, a name that was used until 1945, after which the settlement was renamed Polessk in 1946.

**Where is Polessk located?**
Polessk is a town in Russia that functions as the capital of Polessky District.

**When was Polessk founded?**
The town was founded in 1258, the same year the Labiau Castle was established.

**What administrative region does Polessk belong to?**
Polessk is the capital of Polessky District, a municipal district in Russia.

## Why It Matters
Polessk holds significance as the administrative capital of Polessky District, playing a central role in local governance. Its long history, dating back to 1258, includes a transition from the historical settlement of Labiau to its modern Russian identity, reflecting the geopolitical shifts in the region from the Soviet era to the present day. The town's inclusion in major encyclopedic sources like the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary and the Nordisk familjebok highlights its recognized historical and cultural standing.

## Notable For
- **Historical Continuity:** Maintains a history dating back to the 13th century, with both the town and Labiau Castle founded in 1258.
- **Name Transition:** Distinct for changing its name from Labiau to Polessk in 1946, a shift documented in library authority records (GND).
- **Encyclopedic Recognition:** Featured in diverse reference works, including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary and the Great Russian Encyclopedia.
- **Digital Presence:** Has a Wikipedia presence in 45 different languages, indicating broad international recognition.
- **Stable Demographics:** Maintained a population range between approximately 6,800 and 7,700 residents from the late 20th century to the early 21st century.

## Body
### Geography and Administration
Polessk is classified as a city and serves as the capital of Polessky District, a municipal district in Russia. The town is located within the country's borders, having previously been part of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991. Geographically, Polessk covers an area of 11 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of 3 meters above sea level. Its precise coordinates are 54.866666666667 latitude and 21.1 longitude. The town is identified by the administrative codes OKATO 27230501000 and OKTMO 27718000001, utilizes the postal code 238630, and uses the local dialing code 40158.

### History and Naming
The inception of Polessk dates back to 1258. Historically, the settlement was known by the name Labiau, which remains its official and native label in various records. Other aliases for the town include Labguva and Лабиау. The transition from the German-derived name Labiau to the Russian name Polessk occurred in 1946, a change reflected in authority files such as the GND, which lists "Labiau" as valid until 1945 and "Polessk" from 1946 onward. A prominent historical structure in the town is the Labiau Castle, which shares the town's founding year of 1258.

### Demographics
The population of Polessk has been tracked extensively through both census data and estimates over several centuries. Early records indicate a population of 1,679 in 1768, rising to 4,861 by 1890 and reaching 6,544 by 1939. In the Soviet era, census counts showed 5,435 residents in 1959, 5,601 in 1970, 6,338 in 1979, and 6,859 in 1989. Post-Soviet census data recorded 7,681 inhabitants in 2002 and 7,581 in 2010. Annual estimates in the following decades showed a gradual decline, with numbers such as 7,115 in 2015, 6,887 in 2020, and 6,926 in the 2021 census. The most recent data from 2023 estimates the population at 6,954.

### Identifiers and Documentation
Polessk is cataloged in numerous international databases and library systems. It is assigned the VIAF ID 146546640 and the GeoNames ID 507291. The town appears in academic and archival registries, including the Archinform location ID 16476 and the National Library of Israel J9U ID 987007475727405171. It is also listed in the Great Russian Encyclopedia Online with the ID 3152609 and has a Freebase ID of /m/08rwy3. Additional identifiers include the GNS Unique Feature ID -2985224 and the Who's On First ID 890485557. The Factgrid item ID is associated with "Ward of Bishopsgate."

### Media and Sources
The town is the subject of entries in significant reference works, including the Nordisk familjebok and the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary. Polessk has a substantial digital footprint with a sitelink count of 45 across Wikipedia, appearing in languages ranging from Arabic, English, and German to Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Chinese. Visual documentation of the town includes an image of Labiau Castle hosted on Wikimedia Commons, a page banner featuring a bascule bridge, and a coat of arms image. The primary category associated with the town on Wikipedia is "Category:Polessk."

## References

1. Source
2. archINFORM
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. OKTMO
5. [Народная энциклопедия «Мой город». Полесск](http://www.MojGorod.ru/kalining_obl/polessk/index.html)
6. Q41348632
7. Q56023898
8. [Численность постоянного населения Российской Федерации по муниципальным образованиям на 1 января 2023 года (с учётом итогов Всероссийской переписи населения 2020 г.). Federal State Statistics Service. 2023](https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/Bul_MO_2023.xlsx)
9. GeoNames
10. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
11. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File