The natural conditions of the region are conducive to the development of organic growing, which at present is practised by around 100 farms. Over 600 farms in the region offer agritourist services. The voivodeship's seat is the city of Białystok. Like all voivodeships, it has a government-appointed Provincial Governor (), as well as an elected Regional Assembly (sejmik) and of the executive elected by that assembly, headed by the voivodeship marshal ("marszałek województwa"). Administrative powers and competences are statutorily divided between these authorities. The voivodeship contains 40 cities and towns. These are listed below in descending order of population (according to official figures for 2006