Poland: Geography and Location
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south. The country borders Lithuania and Russia to the northeast; Belarus and Ukraine to the east; Slovakia and the Czech Republic to the south; and Germany to the west.
Poland has a varied landscape, diverse ecosystems, and a temperate climate. The territory covers 312,696 km² (120,733 sq mi), making it the fifth largest European Union country by land area. Poland is composed of sixteen voivodeships (administrative regions).
Population and Major Cities
Poland is the fifth most populous member state of the European Union, with over 38 million people. The capital and largest city is Warsaw. Other major cities include Kraków, Wrocław, Łódź, Poznań, and Gdańsk.
Early History and Origins
Prehistoric human activity on Polish soil dates to the Lower Paleolithic period, with continuous settlement since the end of the Last Glacial Period. The earliest evidence of European cheesemaking dates to 5500 BC and was discovered in Polish Kuyavia. The Bronocice pot, dating to 3400 BC, contains the earliest known depiction of what may be a wheeled vehicle.
In the early medieval period, the region became inhabited by the West Slavic tribal Polans, who gave Poland its name. The name "Polska" is believed to derive from the Polans, whose name stems from the Proto-Slavic noun "pole," meaning field.
Formation of the Kingdom
The process of establishing statehood coincided with the conversion of a pagan ruler of the Polans to Christianity in 966. Mieszko I, the ruler of the Polans, accepted Western Christianity under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1000, at the Congress of Gniezno, Bolesław I the Brave obtained the right of investiture from Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor. Bolesław received permission for his coronation as the first King of Poland around 1025 from Pope John XIX, marking the emergence of the Kingdom of Poland.
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
In 1569, Poland cemented its long-standing association with Lithuania, forming the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. At the time, the Commonwealth was one of the great powers of Europe, featuring an elective monarchy and a uniquely liberal political system. In 1791, the Commonwealth adopted Europe's first modern constitution.
Partitions and Modern Independence
With the end of the prosperous Polish Golden Age, the country was partitioned by neighbouring states at the end of the 18th century. At the end of World War I in 1918, Poland regained its independence with the founding of the Second Polish Republic.
In September 1939, the invasion of Poland by Germany and the Soviet Union marked the beginning of World War II. This conflict resulted in the Holocaust and millions of Polish casualties as well as extensive border and demographic changes. Poland was subsequently forced into the Eastern Bloc during the global Cold War and became a signatory of the Warsaw Pact.
Communist Era and Return to Democracy
Through the 1980 emergence and contributions of the Solidarity movement, which initiated the fall of the Iron Curtain, the communist government was dissolved. Poland became the first of the communist countries to re-establish itself as a liberal democracy in 1989, and held free elections.
Government and Economy
Poland is a parliamentary republic with its bicameral legislature comprising the Sejm and the Senate. The country is considered a middle power and a regional power with a developed market and high-income economy.
In terms of nominal GDP, Poland is the 20th largest economy in the world and the sixth in the European Union. By PPP-adjusted GDP, it ranks fifth largest in the EU. Poland has a high standard of living, safety, and economic freedom, as well as free university education and universal health care.
Culture and International Status
Poland has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, over 100 Historic Monuments, and 23 national parks. The country is a founding member of the United Nations and a member of the Council of Europe, World Trade Organization, OECD, NATO, and the European Union (including the Schengen Area).