Olkusz County (Polish: powiat olkuski) is a unit of territorial administration and local government (powiat) in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, southern Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its administrative seat and largest town is Olkusz, which lies 37 kilometres (23 mi) north-west of the regional capital Kraków. The county also contains the towns of Bukowno, lying 8 km (5 mi) west of Olkusz, and Wolbrom, 20 km (12 mi) north-east of Olkusz.

Olkusz County
Powiat olkuski
Flag of Olkusz County
Coat of arms of Olkusz County
Location within the voivodeship
Location within the voivodeship
Coordinates (Olkusz): 50°17′N 19°34′E / 50.283°N 19.567°E / 50.283; 19.567
Country Poland
VoivodeshipLesser Poland
SeatOlkusz
Gminas
Area
 • Total622.19 km2 (240.23 sq mi)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total113,910
 • Density180/km2 (470/sq mi)
 • Urban
57,322
 • Rural
56,964
Car platesKOL
Websitehttp://www.sp.olkusz.pl
Marcasite, Galena, Sphalerite ore specimen, Olkusz Mine. Size 20.8 x 12.2 x 1.2 cm.

The county covers an area of 622.19 square kilometres (240.2 sq mi). As of 2008 its total population is 113,910, out of which the population of Olkusz is 37,552, that of Bukowno is 10,695, that of Wolbrom is 9,075, and the rural population is 56,964.

Neighbouring counties

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Olkusz County is bordered by Zawiercie County to the north, Miechów County to the east, Kraków County to the south-east, Chrzanów County to the south-west, and the city of Dąbrowa Górnicza and Będzin County to the west.

Administrative division

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The county is subdivided into six gminas (one urban, two urban-rural and three rural). These are listed in the following table, in descending order of population.

Gmina Type Area
(km2)
Population
(2006)
Seat
Gmina Olkusz urban-rural 150.7 50,289 Olkusz
Gmina Wolbrom urban-rural 150.8 23,454 Wolbrom
Gmina Klucze rural 119.3 14,895 Klucze
Bukowno urban 63.4 10,695  
Gmina Bolesław rural 41.4 7,822 Bolesław
Gmina Trzyciąż rural 96.6 7,131 Trzyciąż

Industry

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ZGH Boleslaw is a leading miner and producer of zinc products in eastern Europe. The history of zinc mining in the area dates to the 12th century when Casimir II the Just set up a mining settlement in the old area of Olkusz. The company has modernized its plants, and earned an ISO 9001 certificate.[1]

References

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  1. ^ ZGH Boleslaw, Manufacturing Today, 06/10/2008
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