Introduction
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska), is a country located in Central Europe. It's bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast (a Russian exclave) to the north.
With a population of over 38 million people, Poland is the fifth most populous member state of the European Union. Poland's capital and largest metropolis is Warsaw, with other major cities including Kraków, Łódź, Wrocław, Poznań, Gdańsk, and Szczecin.
History
Poland's history spans over a thousand years. The establishment of Polish statehood can be traced to 966, when Mieszko I, ruler of a territory roughly coextensive with that of present-day Poland, converted to Christianity. The Kingdom of Poland was founded in 1025, and in 1569 it cemented a long association with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania by signing the Union of Lublin, forming the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth became one of the largest and most populous countries in 16th- and 17th-century Europe, with a uniquely liberal political system. However, the country was partitioned in the late 18th century and regained independence in 1918 after World War I as the Second Polish Republic.
World War II began with the Nazi German invasion of Poland, followed by the Soviet invasion. More than six million Polish citizens died in the war. Poland became a communist state within the Eastern Bloc after the war, but in 1989 it transitioned to democracy through peaceful revolution.
Since 2004, Poland has been a member of the European Union and is considered by many to be a successful example of post-communist transition.
Geography
Poland's geography is diverse, with access to the Baltic Sea in the north and the Carpathian and Sudeten Mountains in the south. The country's central portion is dominated by the Central European Plain, which is crossed by several major rivers including the Vistula (Wisła), Oder (Odra), Warta, and Bug.
Poland has 70 mountains over 2,000 meters in elevation, all in the Tatras. The highest point is Rysy at 2,501 meters (8,205 ft) above sea level. Poland's longest rivers are the Vistula (1,047 km or 651 miles long), the Oder (854 km or 531 miles), and the Warta (808 km or 502 miles).
The country has over 10,000 lakes, mostly in the northern region of Masuria, which is part of the Baltic Lake District. Poland also has large forested areas, with about 30% of its land covered by forests.
Culture
Polish culture has a rich thousand-year history influenced by both West and East. Today, these influences are evident in Polish architecture, folklore, and art. Poland is the birthplace of many world-famous individuals, including:
- Nicolaus Copernicus - astronomer who formulated the heliocentric model
- Frédéric Chopin - renowned composer and pianist
- Marie Curie (Maria Skłodowska-Curie) - physicist and chemist, Nobel Prize winner
- Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyła) - first non-Italian pope in 455 years
- Roman Polański - film director
- Andrzej Wajda - Academy Award-winning film director
Polish Cuisine
Polish cuisine is hearty and reflects the country's agricultural traditions. Some famous dishes include:
Pierogi (dumplings)
Bigos (hunter's stew)
Kotlet schabowy (breaded pork cutlet)
Tourist Attractions
Poland offers diverse attractions, from medieval castles to modern cities and natural wonders. Some must-see places include:
Wawel Castle, Kraków
Main Market Square, Kraków
Warsaw Old Town (reconstructed after WWII)
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
Morskie Oko in the Tatra Mountains
Economy
Poland has the largest economy in Central Europe and is one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU. Since the fall of communism, Poland has pursued a policy of economic liberalization. The country is a major producer of machinery, furniture, food products, clothing, and more.
Key economic facts:
- GDP (nominal): $655 billion (2021 estimate)
- GDP per capita: $17,300 (2021 estimate)
- Main industries: machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
- Unemployment rate: 3.4% (2021)
- Main exports: machinery and transport equipment, intermediate manufactured goods, miscellaneous manufactured goods, food and live animals