Zelechow

Żelechów
Żelechów views: Zwiastowania NMP Church, town hall, old fire station, Filialny church
Coat of arms
Map of Żelechów
Żelechów Map of Żelechów
Coordinates: 51°48′N 21°54′E / 51.800°N 21.900°E / 51.800; 21.900Coordinates: 51°48′N 21°54′E / 51.800°N 21.900°E / 51.800; 21.900
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	Masovian
County	Garwolin
Gmina	Żelechów
Established	before 1282
Town rights	1447
Government
• Mayor	Mirosława Miszkurka
Area
• Total	12.14 km2 (4.69 sq mi)
Elevation	170 m (560 ft)
Population (2006)
• Total	4,016
• Density	330/km2 (860/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	08-430
Area code(s)	+48 25
Car plates	WG
Website	http://www.zelechow.pl/

Żelechów [ʐɛˈlɛxuf] (Yiddish זשעלעכאָוו, rus. Желехув) is a town in east Poland in Masovian Voivodeship in Garwolin County. It is the seat of Gmina Żelechów. Żelechów is 85 kilometres (53 miles) from Warsaw and 85 kilometres (53 miles) far from Lublin. More than 4000 people live in the town. It is a local centre, supporting nearby farmers and housing a few high schools.

Żelechów has a recorded history that goes back over 700 years. In 1447 Żelechów gained city rights. Until World War II, it was inhabited mostly by Jews. Traces of their presence are still visible in the architecture of the town. There are a few historic buildings in the town.

Żelechów is located near border of Masovian and Lublin Voivodeships. During the period between 1975-1998 Żelechów was in Siedlce Voivodship. Before 1795, Żelechów had strong connections with Lesser Poland. So it is located between three geographical regions: Podlaskie, Lubelszczyzna and Masovia.

The surrounding landscape was formed during the ice age when the whole area was covered with ice. The landscape now is gently waved, and the town itself is located on a hill, making its altitude vary from 160 m (524.93 ft) up to 195 m (639.76 ft). The area around Żelechów is surrounded by fields and few forests.