Poland

Poland Due to centuries of war, the country has a strong sence of nationhood. Streching from the Baltic Sea, Czech Republic to Russia, there is a lot of variety of landscapes and historical things to see. Going to the coast you can go on the beautiful beaches, or going to one of the cities like Warsaw, the most cosmopolitan city of Poland, where you among other things can se the Old Town newly reconstructed. Or you can go to Krakow where you will find gothic churches, the Wawel Castle and so much more.

Area: 312.766 Km²
Population: 38.634.000 (2001 est.)
Density: 124 pop/Km²

System of government: Parliamentary Republic
Capital: Warsaw (2.220.000 pop.)
Major cities: Lódz 1.040.000 pop., Krakov 740.000 pop., Wroclaw 640.000 pop., Poznan 600.000 pop., Gdansk 460.000 pop., Katowice 364.000 pop. (3.425.000 urban aggl.)
Ethnic majority: Polish 98,5%, German and others 1,5%
Border countries: Germany WEST, Czech Republic and Slovakia SOUTH, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine EAST, Russia (Kaliningrad) NORTH

Principal mountains: Rysy 2499 m
Principal rivers: Vistola 1047 Km, Warta 808 Km, Oder 750 Km (polish tract, total 912 Km)
Principal lakes: Sniardwy 114 Km², Mamry 104 Km²
Principal islands: Wolin 248 Km²
Climate: Oceanic - continental

Language: Polish
Religion: Catholic 94%
Currency: Polish Zloty (PLN)

Fixed public holidays: 1/1, 1/5, 3/5, 15/8, 1/11, 11/11, 25/12, 26/12
Dialling code: 0048
GMT: +1

World Heritage List:

• Cracow's Historic Centre (1978)
• Wieliczka Salt Mine (1978)
• Auschwitz Concentration Camp (1979)
• Belovezhskaya Pushcha / Bialowieza Forest (1979, 1992)
• Historic Centre of Warsaw (1980)
• Old City of Zamosc (1992)
• Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork (1997)
• Medieval Town of Torun (1997)
• Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: the Mannerist Architectural and Park Landscape Complex and Pilgrimage Park (1999)
• Churches of Peace in Jawor and Swidnica (2001)
• Wooden Churches of Southern Little Poland (2003)
• Muskauer Park / Park Muzakowski (2004)