POLAND

Physical geography

Poland, 312,679 km², is in central Europe. Germany is to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, Kaliningrad (Russian exclave) and Lithuania to the north. Poland faces the Baltic Sea. Poland has two main regions: the Polish Plain and the Southern Uplands and Mountains. Two rivers flow into the Baltic Sea. 9,300 lakes occupy about 10% of the total area.

Krakow

An iconic place

In Krakow there is a mediaeval cathedral, a Renaissance castle, Baroque churches, the Art Nouveau theatre and many other historic buildings. The most famous place is the “Wawel castle” which is the Polish Versailles.

An iconic object

In the above symbol, the letter "P" stands for Poland and the letter "W " symbolizes an anchor, the symbol of hope for independence. It was drawn on the walls and sidewalks during the Nazi occupation but also after the war as a sign of resistance to the communist regime.

Copernicus

Famous historical figures

Nicolas Copernicus was one of the great astronomers. He discovered, in the 15^th century, that the earth goes around the sun. John-Paul II became Pope in October 1978. He died in April 2005. He was the first pope to have brought together more than 194 heads of religions from around the world and he tried to improve relations between religious groups.

Skolimowski

Famous living figure

Jerzy Skolimowski is a filmmaker, actor and painter. He was one of the biggest names of the cinema in the 1960s. He played in many movies including “The Avengers” and “Mars Attack”.

History before 2000

Poland became a kingdom in 1025 and a republic in 1918. It was invaded by both Nazi Germany and the URSS on 1^st September 1939. After the end of the Cold War, in 1991, Poland had to be rebuilt.

History after 2000

Poland joined NATO in 2001 and the EU in 2004. In 2011, Poland presided the European Council.

Human geography

The capital is Warsaw. The population is about 38 million. Its population has been getting smaller since the start of the years 2000. There are more men than women. There are about 40,000 foreign people in Poland. 

Language(s) and culture(s)

89% of the population is Catholic. The national language is Polish. Polish culture is varied. There are five national dances. Vodka is a popular drink. Polish cuisine includes dishes like pierogi, stuffed cabbage, and a variety of soups. The dishes are composed mainly of potatoes. Sport is not very developed but Poland hosted the European football championship in 2012.

Political system, relations with EU, economy

Poland is a parliamentary republic. The president is Bronisław Komorowski. The parliament consists of two chambers: the Sejm and the Senate. The constitution of the 3^rd Republic was signed in 1997. On May 1^st 2004 Poland became a member of the European Union by referendum. Poland is part of the Schengen area. The Polish economy is now one of the most dynamic in Europe and it is the only European country not to have experienced recession during the economic crisis started in 2008. The currency of Poland is the Zloty. 

Youth

Only 15% of the population is under 15. School is obligatory from 6 to 16; the school system is similar to that in France. The government gives out many scholarships.

Article by Anita Vidal