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PolandPoland is a large central European nation that borders on the Baltic Sea. Warsaw is Poland's capital and largest city. Poland is named after the Polane, a Slavic tribe that lived more than a thousand years ago in what is now Poland. The name Polane comes from a Slavic word that means plain or field. Flat plains and gently rolling hills cover most of the country. Rugged mountains form part of the southern boundary of Poland, and thousands of small, scenic lakes dot the northern regions of the country...More Information on Poland. Also Read: A special inside feature on Poland Full country name: Republic of Poland History of PolandPoland's written history begins with the reign of Mieszko I, who accepted Christianity for himself and his kingdom in AD 966. The Polish state reached its zenith under the Jagiellonian dynasty in the years following the union with Lithuania in 1386 and the subsequent defeat of the Teutonic Knights at Grunwald in 1410. The monarchy survived many upheavals but eventually went into a decline, which ended with the final partition of Poland by Prussia, Russia, and Austria in 1795...More on Poland History. Overview of Poland EconomyGDP: US$373.2 billion Also Read: Special Feature on Economy of Poland Political System of Poland- Government And Political Conditions Climate, Vegetation and FaunaPoland's forests are controlled by conifers, which are particularly vulnerable to acid rain and other forms of air pollution, many of them are now considerablely damaged. The spruce forests of the Sudety have been particularly affected by ecological damage. A large portion of Poland's forest growth has also been destroyed to create farmland, and reforestation levels are currently very low. This combination of factors has made Poland's forests among the most vulnerable in Europe.Poland's wildlife is of limited mixture. Although most species are found in other parts of Europe, Poland is home to a number of species that are absent or rare elsewhere. Those animals include chamois, lynx, wildcat, elk, boar, and deer. Bison, as well as a rare breed of pony, are preserved in the world-famous Bialowieza National Park, which straddles Poland's border with Belarus. Wolves and brown bears survive in the higher mountains, and elk, deer, and mouflon -wild sheep are fairly numerous in the lake districts. Grouse, heathcock and black stork inhabit Poland's grain-producing areas, lakes, marshes, and forests. Culture: The 7th largest nation in Europe, Poland is located in the middle of the North European Plain that extends...more on Culture of Poland. Education: Throughout the modern history of Poland, education has played a central role in Polish society...more on education in Poland. Languages: Polish is the official language of Poland and is used by nearly all of the population...more on languages spoken in Poland...more on languages spoken in Poland. Life and Lifestyle of Poland: The rights of women were central to the controversy over state abortion law that escalated sharply in 1991 and 1992...more Population: In the immediate postwar time, Poland's birth rate surged upward and many Poles were repatriated from military duty or imprisonment abroad...more on people and population of Poland. Envoirnment: Poland is roughly square, reaching a maximum of about 680km (422mi) from west to east and 650km (404mi) from north to south...more on Envoirnment of Poland. Facts for the TravelerVisas: Citizens of most EU countries and the USA can enter Poland without a visa and stay for 90 days. As of 1 May, 2004 holders of Australian, New Zealand and Brunei Darussalam passports travelling to Poland for a period of up to 90 days do not require a Polish visa. Border laws are being liberalised so check with a Polish embassy before you leave.
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time) Dialling Code: 48 Electricity: 230V ,50Hz Weights & measures: Metric Also Read:Money and Cost Required | Transportation System in Poland When to Go to PolandThe tourist season runs roughly from May to September, peaking in July and August. At this time the Baltic beaches are taken over by swarms of humanity, resorts and spas are invaded by tourists, Masurian lakes are crowded with thousands of sailboats, and mountains can hardly be seen for walkers. Perhaps the best time to come is either late spring (mid-May to June) or the turn of summer and autumn (September to mid-October). These are pleasantly warm periods and there are plenty of cultural activities going on. During winter it's cold and dark (as you'd expect) and many camp sites and hostels are closed, but its still a good time for visiting Poland's cities. Also Read: Getting Around Poland | Poland: Getting There and Away What to See in PolandMajor Tourist Attractions in Poland Other Tourist Attractions in Poland
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