# Gmina Brańsk

Gmina Brańsk is a rural gmina (Polish:gmina wiejska) in Bielsk County, Podlaskie Voivodeship. It is located in north-eastern Poland.

## Etymology

The name Brańsk comes from the river Bronka, a nearby tributary of the Nurzec River.

## Geography

Gmina Brańsk is located in the geographical region of Europe known as the Wysoczyzny Podlasko – Białoruskie (Podlaskie and Belarus Plateau) and the mezoregion known as the Równina Bielska (Bielska Plain).
The gmina covers an area of 227.3 square kilometres (87.8 sq mi).

### Location

It is located approximately:
* 140 kilometres (87.0 mi) north-east of Warsaw, the capital of Poland
* 69 kilometres (42.9 mi) south-west of Białystok, the capital of the Podlaskie Voivodeship
* 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) west of Bielsk Podlaski, the seat of Bielsk County

### Climate

The region has a continental climate which is characterized by high temperatures during summer and long and frosty winters . The average amount of rainfall during the year exceeds 550 millimetres (21.7 in).

### Rivers

Three rivers pass through the Gmina:
* The Nurzec River, a tributary of the Bug River
* The Siennica River, a tributary of the Nurzec River
* The Czarna River, a tributary of the Nurzec River

## Demographics

Detailed data as of 31 December 2007:
| | Total | Total | Women | Women | Men | Men |
| Unit | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % |
| Population | 6,370 | 100 | 3,127 | 49.1 | 3,243 | 50.9 |
| Population Density (persons/km²) | 28.0 | 28.0 | 13.8 | 13.8 | 14.3 | 14.3 |

## Municipal government

Its seat is the town of Brańsk, although the town is not part of the territory of the gmina.

### Executive branch

The chief executive of the government is the mayor (Polish: wójt).

### Legislative branch

The legislative portion of the government is the Council (Polish: Rada) composed of the President (Polish: Przewodniczący), the Vice President (Polish: Wiceprzewodniczący) and thirteen councilors.

### Villages

The following villages are contained within the gmina:
Bronka, Brzeźnica, Burchaty, Chojewo, Chojewo-Kolonia, Chrościanka, Dębowo, Domanowo, Ferma, Glinnik, Holonki, Jarmarkowszczyzna, Kadłubówka, Kalnica, Kalnowiec, Kiersnowo, Kiersnówek, Kiewłaki, Klichy, Konotopa, Koszewo, Lubieszcze, Majerowizna, Markowo, Mień, Nowosady, Oleksin, Olędy, Olędzkie, Olszewek, Olszewo, Otapy, Pace, Pasieka, Patoki, Pietraszki, Płonowo, Poletyły, Popławy, Pruszanka Stara, Pruszanka-Baranki, Puchały Nowe, Puchały Stare, Spieszyn, Szmurły, Ściony, Świrydy, Widźgowo, Załuskie Koronne, Załuskie Kościelne, Zanie.

### Neighbouring political subdivisions

Gmina Brańsk is bordered by the town of Brańsk and the Gminy of Bielsk Podlaski, Boćki, Dziadkowice, Grodzisk, Klukowo, Nowe Piekuty, Poświętne, Rudka, Szepietowo and Wyszki.

## Transport
### Roads and Highways

Gmina Brańsk is at the intersection of a National Road and a Voivodeship Road:
* National Road 66 DK 66 - Zambrów - Brańsk - Bielsk Podlaski - Kleszczele - Czeremcha - Połowce Border Crossing (Belarus)
* Voivodeship Road 681 DW 681 - Roszki-Wodźki - Łapy - Brańsk - Ciechanowiec

### Public Transport
#### Bus Service

Regular bus service is provided in the town of Brańsk by Państwowa Komunikacja Samochodowa (State Car Communication, PKS) via PKS Bielsk Podlaskie, PKS Białystok and PKS Siemiatycze

#### Rail Service

The closest passenger train service is provided by Polskie Koleje Państwowe (Polish State Railways, PKP) SA from the following stations:
* Szepietowo - express & local service to Warsaw and Białystok - 28 kilometres (17.4 mi) northwest
* Bielsk Podlaski - express & local service to Siedlce and Białystok - 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) east

## Nearby Attractions

* Sanktuarium Matki Bożej Pojedniania w Hodyszewie (Our Lady of Hodyszewo Sanctuary) in Hodyzewo - 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) northwest
* Ossoliński Palace in Rudka - 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) west