Bielitz District

In late December 1849, Austrian Silesia was re-established and was initially subdivided into seven political districts, including one with the seat in Bielitz.

[2] According to the censuses conducted in 1880, 1890, 1900 and 1910 the population was as follows:[3] Traditionally the territory of those two legal districts was inhabited partly by Cieszyn Vlachs especially around Skotschau, speaking Cieszyn Silesian and Bielsko with surrounding villages was forming a German language island (German: Bielitz-Bialaer Sprachinsel).

[4] The results of those censuses and factors shaping national identity of the local population became a perennial subject of the political squabbles in the region.

[6] Additionally in terms of religion in 1910 the population with permanent residence consisted of Roman Catholics (52,456 or 63.3%), Protestants (28,760 or 34.7%), Jews (1,533 or 1.9%).

[7] After World War I and fall of Austria-Hungary the region of Cieszyn Silesia including the territory of Bielitz political district became disputed land between Czechoslovakia and Poland.