Poland

Poland is a country in central Europe with a coastline on the Baltic Sea in north. The Republic of Poland is bordered by Germany in west, the Czech Republic in south west, Slovakia in south, Ukraine in south east, Belarus in east and Lithuania and Russia in north east. Poland shares maritime borders with Denmark and Sweden.

source: nationsonline

38.5 million people live in the country (in 2014); official language is Polish.

With an area of 312,685 km², the country is slightly larger than Italy or slightly smaller than the US country of New Mexico.

Poland has a population of 38.5 million (in 2014); official language is Polish. Largest city and capital is Warsaw.

This page aims to give you a broad overview of Poland's art, culture, people, environment, geography, history, economy and government.

Where in Europe is Poland?

Republic of Poland | Rzeczpospolita Polska

Country Profile

Official Name:                  Rzeczpospolita Polska  (short form: Polska) 

Int'l long form: Republic of Poland   Int'l short form: Poland

ISO Country Code:           pl

Time:

Time Zone:         Central European Time (CET)

Local Time =       UTC +1h (in summer +2h)

Actual Time:       Tue-Sept-6  06:16

Country Calling Code: +48

Capital City         :               Warsaw (Warszawa; pop. 1.7 million)

Other Cities       :               Lodz (776 000), Krakow (758 000), Wroclaw (637 000), Poznan (573

000),

Gdansk (460 000).

Government:

Type:                     Republic.

Constitution:      approved by national referendum on 25 May 1997.

Geography:

Location:              Central Europe, east of Germany.

Area      :               312,685 km² (120,727 sq. mi.)

Terrain  :               Flat plain, except mountains along southern border.

Climate            :               Temperate with both maritime and continental elements.

People              :

Nationality:         Noun--Pole(s). Adjective--Polish.

Population:         38.5 million (2011 census)

Ethnic groups:    Polish 98%, German, Ukrainian, Belorussian, Lithuanian.

Religions:           Roman Catholic 90%, Eastern Orthodox, Uniate, Protestant, Judaism.

Languages           :         Polish

Literacy               :         99%.

Natural resources:        Coal, copper, sulfur, natural gas, silver, lead, salt.

Agriculture products:  Grains, hogs, dairy, potatoes, horticulture, sugar beets, oilseed.

Industries        :          Machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding,

food

processing, glass, beverages, textiles.

Exports partners:      Germany 30%, Italy 6%, France 6%, UK 5.4%, Czech Republic 4.3%,

Netherlands 4.3% (2004)

Imports partners:    Germany 24.4%, Italy 8%, Russia 7.2%, France 6.7%, China 4.6%                                            (2004)

Currency              :    Zloty (PLN)

Background          :

Poland gained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but one that was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" (Solidarność) that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency.

A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, boosting hopes for acceptance to the EU. Poland became a full member of the EU on 1 May 2004.

Official Sites of Poland

·         President of the Republic of Poland

·         Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland

Poland's Parliament

·         Sejm-    the lower chamber of the Parliament

·         Senat-   the upper chamber of the Parliament