city, Łódzkie województwo (province), south-central Poland, forming part of the industrial triangle of Bełchatów, Szczerców, and Kamieńsk. Bełchatów is 30 miles (50 km) south-southwest of Łódź, the provincial capital. The surrounding farmlands produce rye and potatoes.

A major lignite deposit was discovered in 1960 near Bełchatów, and work on a mining and power-generating project was begun there in 1975 as part of the development of an industrial complex. Bełchatów's population has grown rapidly since then. One of Poland's largest thermoelectric power plants operates in the area. Pop. (2002) 63,122.