Gmina - Definition and Overview

Gmina is the principal unit (lowest level) of the territorial division in Poland, and is equivalent to a commune or municipality. In 2004 there are 2478 gminas. The word is derived from German Gemeinde.

Since 1990 gmina is the basic unit of administrative division. There are three types of gmina in Poland:

1. municipal commune (gmina miejska)
2. mixed commune (gmina miejsko-wiejska)
3. rural commune (gmina wiejska)

The legislative and controlling body of each gmina is the commune council (rada gminy). The executive power is held by the head of the commune: wójt (head of the rural commune), burmistrz (mayor, head of the mixed and municipal communes) and prezydent (president, head of municipal communes with more than 100 000 inhabitants).

See also

• Voivodships of Poland
• Powiat