The article presents selected and, in case of certain plots, extended results of researches conducted for the Ministry of Regional Development within the works on “The strategy of the development of Eastern Poland up to 2020” (Śleszyński et al. 2011). The topics raised there, among others, include the rarely analysed issues connected with the formation of functional linkages on the basis of registered migrations. The unique data from GUS (Central Statistical Office of Poland) concerning registered matrix migrations (check-ins and check-outs) between municipalities in 2009 was used. The results of analyses point to relatively strong linkages of the region with Warsaw, at the expense of the voivodeship cities (especially Białystok and Lublin) and also quite strong internal polarization in respect of settlement hierarchy.