# Rybnik

> city in Silesian Voivodeship, Poland

**Wikidata**: [Q107094](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107094)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rybnik)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rybnik

## Summary
Rybnik is a city in Poland's Silesian Voivodeship, founded in 1327, with a population of 133,772 as of 2021. It serves as the capital of Rybnik County and is recognized for its historical significance, industrial heritage, and status as a city with powiat rights.

## Key Facts
- Located in Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, since 1922.  
- Population: 133,772 (as of March 31, 2021), with 65,126 males and 68,646 females.  
- Area: 148 square kilometres.  
- Coordinates: 50.0833° N, 18.5° E.  
- Timezone: UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST) during daylight saving time.  
- Founded: 1327.  
- Website: http://www.rybnik.pl/.  
- Twin towns: Liévin (2000), Dorsten (1994), Karviná (2004), Ivano-Frankivsk (2001), Vilnius County (2000), Topoľčany (2008), Saint-Vallier (1961), Newtownabbey (2003), Mazamet (1993), Larissa (2003), Eurasburg (2001), Bar (2007), Bedburg-Hau, and Haderslev.  
- Licence plate code: SR.  
- Administrative divisions: Capital of Rybnik County; borders 12 municipalities, including Żory and Radlin.  

## FAQs
**Q: When was Rybnik founded?**  
A: Rybnik was founded in 1327, with historical records confirming its inception.  

**Q: What is Rybnik’s population?**  
A: As of the 2021 Polish census, Rybnik has 133,772 residents, with a nearly equal gender split (65,126 male, 68,646 female).  

**Q: Which cities is Rybnik twinned with?**  
A: Rybnik maintains partnerships with 15 cities, including Liévin (France), Dorsten (Germany), and Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine), fostering cultural and economic ties.  

**Q: What is Rybnik’s administrative role?**  
A: Rybnik is the capital of Rybnik County and holds powiat rights, granting it self-governance within Silesian Voivodeship.  

**Q: How can I identify Rybnik in historical or academic contexts?**  
A: Rybnik is referenced in encyclopedias like *Nordisk familjebok* and the *Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron*, with identifiers such as VIAF ID 148987073 and GND ID 4392189-9.  

## Why It Matters  
Rybnik is a pivotal city in southern Poland, blending medieval history with modern industrial and administrative significance. As a regional economic hub, it contributes to Poland’s industrial output and maintains strong international connections through its 15 twin towns. Its status as a city with powiat rights underscores its autonomy, while its cultural landmarks, such as the Basilica of St. Anthony, highlight its historical depth.  

## Notable For  
- **Founding**: Established in 1327, with continuous settlement for nearly 700 years.  
- **Industrial Heritage**: A key center in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region.  
- **Administrative Status**: One of Poland’s cities with powiat rights, granting self-governance.  
- **International Ties**: Partnerships with 15 cities across Europe, spanning over 60 years.  
- **Cultural Landmarks**: Home to the Basilica of St. Anthony and a historic town square (Rynek).  

## Body  
### History  
Rybnik was founded in 1327, with its early development tied to trade and craftsmanship. Historical records, including mentions in the *Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron*, highlight its role in regional commerce. The city’s coat of arms and flag reflect its medieval origins, symbolizing resilience and continuity.  

### Geography & Demographics  
Spanning 148 km², Rybnik is situated at 50.0833° N, 18.5° E in the Silesian Voivodeship. As of 2021, its population of 133,772 is divided into 65,126 males and 68,646 females, per the Polish census. The city’s timezone follows Central European Time (UTC+1) and observes daylight saving time (UTC+2).  

### Administration  
Rybnik serves as the capital of Rybnik County and operates under powiat rights, enabling local governance. Its licence plate code (SR) and TERC municipality code (2473011) are administrative identifiers. The city borders 12 municipalities, including Żory, Radlin, and Gmina Czerwionka-Leszczyny, fostering regional collaboration.  

### Twin Towns & International Relations  
Rybnik maintains partnerships with 15 cities, such as Liévin (France, since 2000), Dorsten (Germany, 1994), and Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine, 2001). These ties promote cultural exchange and economic cooperation, reflecting Rybnik’s outward-looking ethos.  

### Culture & Landmarks  
The city’s historic core features the Rynek (town square) and the Basilica of St. Anthony, documented in the *Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana*. Rybnik’s cultural identity is preserved through institutions like the Museum in Rybnik and digital archives such as the Herder Institute’s image collection.  

### External Identifiers  
Rybnik is catalogued in global databases, including VIAF (148987073), GND (4392189-9), and GeoNames (3086586). Its open-source presence is maintained through Wikimedia projects (Commons category: *Rybnik*) and OpenStreetMap (relation ID 2416790).  

### Infrastructure & Access  
Residents and visitors access municipal services via the official website (http://www.rybnik.pl/). The city’s locator map (POL_Rybnik_map.svg) and flag (POL_Rybnik_flag.svg) are publicly archived, ensuring transparency and accessibility.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](https://www.rybnik.eu/miasto/o-miescie/miasta-partnerskie/)
3. [Source](http://www.mvk.if.ua/news/4114/)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/poland/timezones.php)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. MusicBrainz
8. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/012414973011-0942765?var-id=1639616&format=jsonapi)
9. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/012414973011-0942765?var-id=1639618&format=jsonapi)
10. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/012414973011-0942765?var-id=1639617&format=jsonapi)
11. GeoNames
12. TERYT
13. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/pl.htm)
14. System for IDs and names of places
15. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
16. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
17. museum-digital