Poland (Polish: Polska) is a country in Central Europe with a population of about 37 million people. Its capital is Warsaw. Poland borders Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia (Kaliningrad). It also has a coastline on the Baltic Sea.

The official language is Polish, a West Slavic language related to Czech and Slovak. Most Poles are Roman Catholic, though modern Poland is increasingly secular in urban areas.

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Geography

Poland has:

• Flat plains in the center and north
• Lakes in the northeast
• Mountains in the south:
  • the Carpathian Mountains
  • the Sudeten Mountains

Important rivers:

• Vistula River — the longest river
• Oder River

Major cities:

• Warsaw — capital
• Kraków — historic royal city
• Gdańsk — Baltic port city
• Wrocław
• Poznań
• Łódź

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A quick history of Poland

Early Poland

Poland began as a Slavic kingdom under Mieszko I in the 10th century. His conversion to Christianity in 966 is considered the symbolic birth of the Polish state.

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The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

From the 1500s to the 1700s, Poland and Lithuania formed one of Europe’s largest and most powerful states: the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

It was known for:

• religious tolerance
• elected kings
• a powerful nobility
• major cultural achievements

At its peak, it stretched from the Baltic Sea almost to the Black Sea.

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The Partitions

In the late 1700s, Poland was divided by:

• Prussia
• Russia
• Austria

This is called the Partitions of Poland.

For 123 years Poland disappeared from the map of Europe. Despite this, Polish language and culture survived.

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World War II

Poland suffered enormously during World War II.

Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, starting the war. The Soviet Union invaded from the east shortly afterward. Millions of Polish citizens died, including about 3 million Polish Jews during the Holocaust.

Important WWII events:

• Warsaw Uprising
• Auschwitz-Birkenau

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Communist era

After WWII, Poland became a Soviet-aligned communist state called the Polish People’s Republic.

The communist government controlled:

• media
• economy
• politics

Life improved in some ways (education, industrialization), but there was censorship and political repression.

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Solidarity and democracy

In the 1980s, the labor movement Solidarity led protests against communism.

Its leader, Lech Wałęsa, became internationally famous.

In 1989, communism collapsed peacefully, and Poland became democratic.

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Polish culture

Religion

Catholicism strongly shaped Polish identity, traditions, and holidays. One of the most famous Poles ever was Pope John Paul II, born in Poland.

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Food

Popular Polish foods include:

• Pierogi
• Bigos
• Żurek
• Kielbasa
• Gołąbki
• Sernik

Polish cuisine is hearty and influenced by Central and Eastern Europe.

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Music and arts

Famous Polish figures include:

• Frédéric Chopin
• Marie Curie
• Nicolaus Copernicus
• Wisława Szymborska

Poland has contributed greatly to science, literature, mathematics, and classical music.

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The Polish language

Polish uses the Latin alphabet but includes letters like:

• ą
• ć
• ł
• ń
• ś
• ź
• ż

Common phrases:

• Cześć = Hi
• Dziękuję = Thank you
• Tak = Yes
• Nie = No
• Jak się masz? = How are you?

Polish grammar is considered difficult because of:

• cases
• gendered nouns
• pronunciation clusters

But many people consider it one of Europe’s most expressive languages.

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Economy and modern Poland

Modern Poland has one of the strongest economies in Central Europe. Since the fall of communism, it has grown rapidly and became a major manufacturing and technology hub. Poland joined:

• NATO in 1999
• European Union in 2004

Poland was notably the only EU economy to avoid recession during the 2008 financial crisis.

Major industries:

• manufacturing
• automotive
• IT
• mining
• agriculture
• logistics

Currency:

• Polish złoty

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Stereotypes and national character

Poles are often stereotyped as:

• hardworking
• direct
• patriotic
• family-oriented
• resilient

Hospitality is important in Polish culture. Guests are often offered lots of food and drink.

Poland also has strong regional identities:

• Silesia
• Kashubia
• Podhale
• Mazovia
• Pomerania

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Tourism highlights

Famous places:

• Wawel Castle
• Old Town Market Square
• Malbork Castle
• Białowieża Forest
• Tatra National Park

Poland has:

• medieval cities
• castles
• forests
• mountains
• Baltic beaches
• vibrant nightlife

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Fun facts

• Poland’s constitution of 1791 was Europe’s first modern constitution.
• Poland has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• The word “Poland” comes from the tribe called the Polans (“people of the fields”).
• Polish people celebrate both Christmas Eve (Wigilia) and Easter very intensely.
• Poland is one of the world’s largest amber producers.