# Suwałki

> town in Poland

**Wikidata**: [Q236083](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q236083)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suwałki)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/suwaki

## Summary
Suwałki is a city in northeastern Poland with powiat rights, located in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. It serves as the administrative center for Suwałki County and has a rich historical background, including periods as the capital of the Suwałki Governorate under the Russian Empire and the Suwałki Voivodeship in interwar Poland. The city is strategically situated near the Suwałki Gap, a sparsely populated area between Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) and Belarus, and is part of the broader Suwalszczyzna region.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: City with powiat rights in Poland.
- **Administrative Division**: Serves as the capital of Suwałki County (inception: 1999).
- **Historical Governance**:
  - Capital of Suwałki Governorate (Russian Empire, 1867–1917).
  - Capital of Suwałki Voivodeship (1975–1998).
  - Previously part of Augustów Governorate (1837–1866) and Augustów Voivodeship (1816–1837).
- **Geographical Context**: Located in the Suwałki Gap, a strategically important area near the Polish–Lithuanian border.
- **Population**:
  - 69,229 (2021 census, most recent value).
  - 68,752 (2022 estimate).
- **Area**: 66 square kilometers.
- **Coordinates**: 54.1° N, 22.933° E.
- **Elevation**: 170 meters above sea level.
- **Postal Codes**: 16-400, 16-403, 16-430, 16-434.
- **Time Zone**: UTC+01:00 (standard time), UTC+02:00 (daylight saving time).
- **Official Language**: Polish.
- **License Plate Code**: BS.
- **Twin Cities**: Rēzekne, Grande-Synthe, Võru, Waren, Nemenčinė, Alytus, Marijampolė, Notodden Municipality, Ternopil, Cēsis.
- **Notable Infrastructure**: Suwalki Airport, Suwałki train station.
- **Cultural Landmarks**: Saint Alexander church in Suwałki.
- **Football Club**: Wigry Suwałki (founded 1947).
- **Historical Significance**: Played a role in the Second Polish Republic (1918–1939) and later in the Polish People's Republic.

## FAQs
- **What is the current administrative status of Suwałki?**
  Suwałki is a city with powiat rights in Poland, serving as the capital of Suwałki County since 1999.

- **What historical roles has Suwałki played?**
  Suwałki has been the capital of the Suwałki Governorate (1867–1917), Suwałki Voivodeship (1975–1998), and previously part of Augustów Governorate (1837–1866) and Augustów Voivodeship (1816–1837).

- **Where is Suwałki located geographically?**
  Suwałki is situated in the Suwałki Gap, a sparsely populated area near the Polish–Lithuanian border, between Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) and Belarus.

- **What is the population of Suwałki?**
  The most recent population count is 69,229 (2021 census), with an estimated 68,752 in 2022.

- **What are some notable landmarks in Suwałki?**
  Notable landmarks include the Saint Alexander church and Suwalki Airport.

- **What is the time zone of Suwałki?**
  Suwałki operates on UTC+01:00 (standard time) and UTC+02:00 (daylight saving time).

- **What twin cities does Suwałki have?**
  Suwałki is twinned with Rēzekne, Grande-Synthe, Võru, Waren, Nemenčinė, Alytus, Marijampolė, Notodden Municipality, Ternopil, and Cēsis.

## Why It Matters
Suwałki holds strategic importance due to its location in the Suwałki Gap, a region historically significant for its border position between Russia, Belarus, and Poland. The city has served as an administrative and cultural hub, reflecting its role in Polish history, including its periods as a governorate capital under the Russian Empire and a voivodeship center in interwar Poland. Its infrastructure, such as Suwalki Airport and the Suwałki train station, supports regional connectivity. The city’s historical and cultural ties to Suwalszczyzna further emphasize its significance in Polish identity and regional development.

## Notable For
- **Strategic Location**: Situated in the Suwałki Gap, a key area near the Polish–Lithuanian border.
- **Historical Governance**: Served as the capital of the Suwałki Governorate (1867–1917) and Suwałki Voivodeship (1975–1998).
- **Cultural Landmark**: Home to the Saint Alexander church, a notable religious site.
- **Infrastructure**: Features Suwalki Airport and the Suwałki train station, supporting regional transport.
- **Football Club**: Wigry Suwałki, founded in 1947, represents the city in Polish football.
- **Twin City Partnerships**: Maintains sister city relationships with multiple European and Baltic cities.

## Body
### Administrative and Historical Context
Suwałki is a city with powiat rights in Poland, functioning as the capital of Suwałki County since 1999. Historically, it served as the capital of the Suwałki Governorate under the Russian Empire (1867–1917) and later as the capital of the Suwałki Voivodeship (1975–1998). Before this, it was part of the Augustów Governorate (1837–1866) and Augustów Voivodeship (1816–1837). The city’s strategic location in the Suwałki Gap, near the Polish–Lithuanian border, has made it significant in regional governance and defense.

### Geography and Demographics
Suwałki is located in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, covering an area of 66 square kilometers. Its coordinates are 54.1° N, 22.933° E, with an elevation of 170 meters above sea level. The city has a population of 69,229 (2021 census) and 68,752 (2022 estimate). It is part of the broader Suwalszczyzna region, known for its historical and cultural significance.

### Infrastructure and Transport
Suwałki is served by Suwalki Airport, which supports regional and international flights. The Suwałki train station connects the city to Poland’s rail network, facilitating travel to major cities. The city’s postal codes are 16-400, 16-403, 16-430, and 16-434, reflecting its administrative divisions.

### Cultural and Historical Landmarks
The Saint Alexander church in Suwałki is a notable religious landmark, reflecting the city’s cultural heritage. The city also hosts Wigry Suwałki, a football club founded in 1947, which competes in Polish football leagues.

### Twin City Relationships
Suwałki maintains twin city partnerships with Rēzekne (Latvia), Grande-Synthe (France), Võru (Estonia), Waren (Germany), Nemenčinė (Lithuania), Alytus (Lithuania), Marijampolė (Lithuania), Notodden Municipality (Norway), Ternopil (Ukraine), and Cēsis (Latvia). These partnerships enhance cultural exchange and regional cooperation.

### Time Zone and Official Language
Suwałki operates on UTC+01:00 (standard time) and UTC+02:00 (daylight saving time). The official language is Polish, with a license plate code of BS for vehicles registered in the city.

### References and External Identifiers
Suwałki is referenced in various databases, including:
- **Wikidata**: Described as a town in Poland.
- **Geonames**: Identified as a human settlement (ID: 757718).
- **Library of Congress**: Contains records under the name Suwałki.
- **Encyclopædia Britannica Online**: Lists Suwałki as a place of interest.
- **Commons Gallery**: Features images of Suwałki.

## References

1. [Source](https://um.suwalki.pl/miasta-partnerskie,62/grande-synthe,2574006)
2. [Source](https://um.suwalki.pl/miasta-partnerskie,62/voru,2571)
3. [Source](https://um.suwalki.pl/miasta-partnerskie,62/waren,2574009)
4. [Source](https://www.alytus.lt/lt/apie-alytu/tarptautinis-bendradarbiavimas-1)
5. [Source](https://um.suwalki.pl/miasta-partnerskie,62/mariampol,2574007)
6. [Source](https://um.suwalki.pl/miasta-partnerskie,62/notodden,2574008)
7. [Source](https://um.suwalki.pl/miasta-partnerskie,62/tarnopol,2574012)
8. [Source](https://um.suwalki.pl/miasta-wspolpracujace,4103/cesis,2574011)
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/poland/timezones.php)
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. Czech National Authority Database
13. MusicBrainz
14. [Source](https://www.citypopulation.de/php/poland-podlaskie.php)
15. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/062013963011-0977456?var-id=1639616&format=jsonapi)
16. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/062013963011-0977456?var-id=1639618&format=jsonapi)
17. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/062013963011-0977456?var-id=1639617&format=jsonapi)
18. GeoNames
19. TERYT
20. Quora
21. System for IDs and names of places
22. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)