Voivodeship facts for kids
A voivodeship (say "voy-voh-de-ship") is a type of administrative division or region, similar to a state or province. This term comes from the Middle Ages and was used in countries like Romania, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, and Serbia. Each voivodeship was ruled by a leader called a voivod.
The word "voivod" means "the one who leads the warriors." Originally, a voivod was a military commander who worked closely with the ruler of a country. Over time, their role changed, and they became more like governors of these special regions.
Contents
What is a Voivodeship?
A voivodeship is a historical and geographical area. It's a way of dividing a country into smaller parts for easier management. Think of it like how a country might be divided into states, provinces, or counties today.
The Role of the Voivod
The person in charge of a voivodeship was called a voivod. This title is very old and comes from Slavic languages.
- In the beginning, a voivod was mainly a military leader. They were responsible for leading armies and defending their region.
- Later, their job grew to include civil duties. This meant they also managed the government, collected taxes, and made sure laws were followed in their voivodeship.
- The power and importance of voivods changed over hundreds of years, depending on the country and the time period.
Where Were Voivodeships Found?
Voivodeships were common in Central and Eastern Europe.
- Poland: Poland has used voivodeships as its main administrative divisions for centuries. Even today, modern Poland is divided into voivodeships.
- Hungary: In Hungary, these regions were called vajdaság.
- Romania: In Romania, they were known as voievodat.
- Serbia: The region of Vojvodina in Serbia is a modern example that still uses a name related to "voivodeship."
Historical Examples of Voivodeships
Many countries had voivodeships in their history.
- In the year 1600, Michael the Brave ruled over the Principality of Transylvania and the voivodeships of Wallachia and Moldavia. These were important regions in what is now Romania.
- Between 1849 and 1860, there was a special area called the Voivodeship of Serbia and Temes Banat. This was a part of the Austrian Empire, created for Serbs living there.
- Poland also had many voivodeships throughout its history, with their borders changing over time. For example, between 1921 and 1939, Poland was divided into several voivodeships, each with its own capital city.
Images for kids
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Principality of Transylvania and the voivodeships of Wallachia and Moldavia ruled by Mihai Viteazul in 1600
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Voivodeship of Serbia and Temes Banat (1849-1860)
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Voivodeships of Poland, 1921–1939
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See also
In Spanish: Voivodato para niños
