Poland

An Unique Land of Lush History, Breathtaking Scenery and Jubilant Culture

The country of Poland in the Central Europe is a nation with interesting history, active culture, and picturesque nature. Poland has got it all: its medieval castles and UNESCO World Heritage sites, spectacular mountains, forests, and coastline features of Poland make it a must-visit destination. Poland has something to offer you regardless of where you are going to explore the historic streets of Krakow, make hiking in the Tatra Mountains, or experience the lively atmosphere of Warsaw. In any case, you will not be able to forget that experience!

To obtain all information about Poland, look at its Wikipedia site to see its detailed history as well as general information. To get the official resource and news visit the official site of Poland

In case you want to find more information regarding Poland,such as its flag, language, area, currency, and population, you can produce and download free  this information by visit in  Random Country Generator tool. 

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Geographical Location

Poland is located at the center of Europe and it shares borders with Germany to the west, Czech Republic and Slovak on the south, Ukraine and Belarus on the east, and the Baltic Sea in the North. Poland sits on a surface area of 312,696 square kilometers, the 9 th largest country in Europe that provides its inhabitants to access diverse landscapes and beauty of nature.

The southern area is occupied by the highest mountain (Rysy) of Poland, the Carpathian mountains, whereas the northern part includes the Masurian Lake District and a shore of the Baltic Sea, which is widely known as having sandy beaches and dunes.

Topographical Features and Landforms

It is the land of such extreme contrasts that Poland is a mass of plains, mountains and forests. The southern region called the Tatra mountains has beautiful hikes and ski resorts which are simply breathtaking whereas, the Bieszczady mountains and the Sudetes are a serene place to take up nature. Northern Poland also has over 9,000 lakes, most famous of them is Masurian Lake District called the location of boating and water sports.

The coast of the Baltic Sea is 500+ kilometers long with Poland and has several picturesque towns such as Gdańsk and Sopot, beautiful nature reserves, such as Sliwinski National Park, with its moving sand dunes and exotic flora and fauna.

Climate

The climatic condition of Poland is known as temperate continental whereby the winters are cold and the summers are warm. Winter may be severe, particularly in the east and the north, when the temperature might go below freezing. Summers are usually mild temperate with recorded temperatures between 20 C and 25 C (68 F to 77 F) and thus it is the best to visit during summer to enjoy the outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and beach vacation.

Ancient-Medieval History

The country of Poland was already formed in ancient times in the 5 th and 6 th centuries when it was the territory of early Slavic tribes. The earliest Polish state was founded by Slavic tribe Polans under Mieszko I in 10th century, when Mieszko was converted to Christianity in the year 966 and this is considered to be the official birth of the Polish state. In the next few centuries, Poland emerged as a strong kingdom and joined the Jagiellonian Dynasty that influenced the Central and Eastern Europe in the 15th and 16th century.

Royal Castle in Warsaw and Wawel Castle in Krakow remind about royal past of Poland. Medieval Gothic and renaissance architecture in Poland is also manifest in Gdaansk (system Trout, UNESCO world heritage) and Torun (system Trout, UNESCO world heritage).

The World Wars and the Partitions The two world wars and also the partitions had a very big impact as far as the view of God is concerned.

At the end of the 18 th century, the neighbor countries, which were Russia, Prussia and Austria, divided Poland and disappeared the Polish state on the mapatic longer than 100 years. Nevertheless the Polish nation never lost their independence dream and in 1918 when the World War I ended, Poland became an independent country once again.

The Second World War (1939-1945) was very disastrous to Poland. Both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union penetrated into the country, thus, destroying such cities as Warsaw and causing the horrifying event of the Holocaust. The Jewish population of the country, that was among the largest in Europe, was destroyed during the war. Regardless of this, Poland recovered itself and became a socialist republic exercised by the Soviets following the war.

Modern-Day growth and Post Soviet Poland

In 1989, there was a peaceful change of Poland in Poland to a democratic nation in the creation of the Solidarity movement led by Lech Wlodzimierz Walesa. This movement was critical in the overthrow of Soviet hegemony in the country and had influenced democracy uprising in the region of Eastern Europe.

Nowadays, Poland is a democratic republic and a member of the European Union and NATO and, therefore, a full-fledged part of the new Europe. The nation has experienced fast economic growth coupled with modernization without compromising its great cultural heritage.

Ethnic and religious Diversity

Poland has a population that is majorly ethnically Polish with minorities such as Germans, Ukrainians, Belarusians and Lithuanians. The major religion found in Poland is Roman Catholicism and this has dominated the cultural and spiritual life of Poland with the Catholic Church being central in the country. There are also some communities of Eastern Orthodox, Protestants and Jews.

The influence of religious identity has impacted the Polish culture and the country has numerous religious festivals, which include Christmas, Easter and Corpus Christi when the country plays huge processions and traditional practices associated with the religious festivals.

Traditions and Cultural behavior

Poland boasts of rich culture that is manifested in its music, art, literature and theatre. It is the motherland of world-known composers, such as Fr d c Chopin, and such renowned authors as Adam Mickiewicz and Wis lawa Szymborska. There are film festivals such as the Krakow Film Festival and the Warsaw Autumn International Festival which celebrate the Polish cinema and 

The Polish folk culture is lively and conventional Polish dances (Polonaise and Mazurka) and colored folk clothes, which are worn during festivities, abound. Krakow Christmas Market and the Wianki Festival in Warsaw are the ideal examples of flourishing cultural festivals in Poland.

Language

Polish is a Slavic language and the official language in Poland. Most of the people use it as the native language. Poland has historical links with other countries and hence people also talk English, German and Russian particularly in cities.

Religious Festivals

The most significant festive in Poland is Christmas (December 25) with its festivedid the Christmas Eve dinner and midnight Mass. Traditional meals at the Christmas dinner are bigos (hunter stew) and pierogi (dumplings).

Another religious holiday is the Easter- there are the Palm Sunday and Easter Monday impregnated with all kinds of parade, church services and the wet Monday where people play with water running it over others which is a merry idea.

Commemorations/Special Days and National Holidays

November 11 is known as Independence Day (Dziei Niepodleglosci), and commemorates when Poland regained its independence in 1918; it is celebrated through patriotic ceremonies and parades. Another important national holiday is the Constitution Day (May 3) commemorating the first constitution in Poland that was adopted in 1791.

Folk Festivals

A major characteristic of Poland is the traditional folk festivals: e.g. in Warsaw the Wianki Festival that takes place on the summer solstice, with live music, performances, and floating of the wreaths along the banks of the Vistula river. Another event is Krakow Christmas Market where you can find original handcrafted products, Christmas food and Christmas songs.

Economic Development

The economy of Poland is one of the most vibrant economies in Europe. It is an industry leader in the automotive manufacturing industry, electronics and machinery industries. The mining sector is also another business that the country is known with and this is principally the coal and natural gas.

This European Union has provided Poland with the advantage of gaining investment as well as development of infrastructure which has helped in the development of Poland in terms of IT and finance being one of such industries.

Tourism

Tourism is very important in the economy as more people flock to various countries around the world. Poland has a rich history, various types of landscape and beautiful cities that attest to its attractions as a tourist destination. Other cities such as Warsaw, Krakow and Gdansk are a combination of history, culture and modernity.

Trade and Industry

An industrial economy in Poland is highly diversified, specializing in manufacturing (particularly automobiles and machinery) and food processing as well as textile manufacturing. The port of Gdansk is a busy European port that has enabled the city to trade with the European and other regions of the world.

Poland Attractions You Can Not Miss

These are the six attractions that one must visit in Poland:

1. Cracow, Wawel Castle (Krakow)

Wawel Castle is one of the biggest historical sites in Poland, which is brilliantly built in Renaissance architectural style with great royal history.

2. Museum and Memorial in Auschwitz-Birkenau

Close to Krakow, this World Heritage site has a solemn and meaningful significance in memorizing the victims of the holocaust.

3. Old Town Warsaw

Old Town of warsaw is the UNESCO World Heritage with colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and Royal Castle that is an old landmark.

4. Białowieża Forest

It is the last primeval forest in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage site which harbors rare species of the European bison and exclusive habitats.

5. Lake District of Masuria

In the northeast of Poland, there is the Masurian Lake District, combining scenic lakes, forests, and picturesque towns, and, accordingly, providing the opportunities to spend time outdoors.

6. Wieliczka Salt Mine

The Wieliczka Salt Mine located in close proximity to Krakow, is another historical site with underground galleries, halls, and statues made of salt.

Healthcare System

Poland is characterized by universal health care that offers health care to all citizens. On the one hand, the system is well-established and quality care depends on the place of residence (urban or rural).

Education System

In Poland, no charge is made on primary and secondary education. The nation has one of its renowned universities, including University of Warsaw and Jagiellonian University in Krakow.

Transport Network

Poland has a very developed transport system, rail systems, road networks and airports. The Warsaw Chopin Airport is biggest international airport in the country that provides flights to other large cities across the globe.

Urban Development

Big cities, such as Warsaw, Krakw, Gdansk have experienced great urbanization, modern infrastructure, transportation networks, and arts centers.

Ideal Seasons

The most appropriate time to travel to Poland is spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) which are the seasons when weather is evidently great and the sites are splendid.

Special Events and Festivals

Filed under major festivals to attend in Poland are Krakow Film Festival, Wianki Festival and Warsaw Autumn Festival among others.

Conclusion:

Poland is a rich heritage rich country with diverse cultures and economically developed. Poland boasts the ancient history, contemporary urban environment, and breathtaking nature scenes, thus giving to the visitors unparalleled experience visiting the country through time, performance, and geography.

Questions and Answers

When is the better time to go to Poland?

The mild weather and colorful landscapes will be observed in spring (April to June) or autumn (September to November) when it is the best time to visit.

Which are the best places in Poland?

The most popular sites are Wawel Castle, Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, Warsaw Old Town, Bialowieza Forest and Masurian Lake District.

Which languages speak in Poland?

The official language is Polish, most people speak English in city areas.

Are the tourists safe in Poland?

Poland is indeed very safe to tourists as the rate of crime is quite low and most locals are friendly.

Which culture festivals do I have to experience in Poland?

Important cultural events to be enjoyed in Poland are Krakraw Film festival, Wianki festival and Warsaw autumn festival.