The Bielsko Voivodeship (; Polish: Województwo bielskie) was a voivodeship (province) of the Polish People's Republic from 1975 to 1989, and the Third Republic of Poland from 1989 to 1998. Its capital was Bielsko-Biała. It was established on 1 June 1975, from the parts of the voivodeships of Katowice, and Kraków, and existed until 31 December 1998, when it was partitioned between then-established Lesser Poland, and Silesian Voivodeships.
History
The Bielsko Voivodeship was established on 1 June 1975, as part of the administrative reform, and was one of the voivodeships (provinces) of the Polish People's Republic. It was formed from the part of the territories of the voivodeships of Katowice, and Kraków. Its capital was located in the city of Bielsko-Biała. In 1997, the voivodeship had a population of 924,000 people, and had an area of 3,704 km².
From 1990 to 1998, it was additionally divided into five district offices, each comprising several municipalities.
Demographics
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Population
|-
|1975
|779,300
|-
|1980
|829,900
|-
|1985
|873,600
|-
|1990
|897,500
|-
|1995
|916,600
|-
|1997
- 10 March 1981 – 7 November 1987: Stanisław Łuczkiewicz;
- 18 December 1987 – 2 April 1990: Franciszek Strzałka;
- 9 April 1990 – 1 February 1994: Mirosław Styczeń;
- 24 February 1994 – 28 November 1997: Marek Trombski;
- 9 December 1997 – 31 December 1998: Andrzej Sikora.