Europe Chronicle |
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
Events in PolandWith a strongly Roman Catholic population, Christian celebrations in Poland are of huge importance. This is particularly evident at Christmas and Easter, but any Sunday is good for getting a taste of Polish devotion and religious fervour. All the churches (and they are truly in good supply) fill up beyond their capacity during the Sunday masses. The musical highlights are myriad: Kraków hosts the Music in Old Kraków International Festival every August, and Wrocław follows in September with the Wratislavia Cantans, replete with oratorios and cantatas. Warsaw is a thriving cultural centre, with contemporary music showcases in autumn, including jazz in late October. The Warsaw Theatre Meetings in January review the achievements of the best Polish theatres over the past year. The Polish Film Festival in Gdynia in November is the foremost presentation of Poland on celluloid. Small local feasts, fairs and contests, often dependent upon local folklore, occur throughout Poland, with a pleasing glut in early summer and early autumn. What to do in Poland?Hiking is the most popular of outdoor activities, and not without reason. The most popular hiking routes are those in the Tatra Mountains but the Pieniny, the Bieszczady or the Karkonosze are all options. Canoeing is possible on most waterways, though the main rivers are pretty polluted. The Krutynia and Czarna Hańcza Rivers, both in Masuria, are almost untouched and have some of the best kayaking in the country. The Masurian lakes are ideal for sailing and, not surprisingly, they are crowded with hundreds of boats in summer. It's possible to hire a sailing boat in Giżycko, Mikołajki or several other Masurian resorts. Poland has about a thousand caves, mostly in the uplands near Kraków and in the Tatra Mountains. For those unwilling to plunge into uncharted blackness, a handful of caves are adapted for the spatially-sane. The most spectacular of these are the Bear's Cave near Kłodzko and the Paradise Cave near Kielce. Skiing is mostly concentrated in the Carpathians. Zakopane, at the foot of the Tatra Mountains is without a doubt ski-bunny warren numero uno, with Szczyrk in the Beskid Śłaski also popular.
The city is serviced by comprehensive rail connections, with frequent east-west trains servicing Vienna, Munich, Innsbruck, and Zürich, including daily high-speed ICE services. The city also acts as a hub for south-bound trains through the Alps into Italy. Salzburg Airport has scheduled flights to European cities such as Frankfurt, Vienna, ...
The Salzburg Card is highly recommended for visitors as it allows for unlimited public transportation, admission into several of the city's main attractions, and discounts at various places.
By Air
The Salzburg Airport W.A. Mozart is located 2 miles southwest of the city centre. The Airport has regularly scheduled domestic and international ...
By Bus/Tram
The city buses and trams provide quick, comfortable service through the city center from the Nonntal parking lot to Sigsmundsplatz, the city-center parking lot. Buses stop running at 11pm. Travelers can get a direct shuttle bus from Munich International Airport to Salzburg. The city itself is served by ...
Salzburg’s economy is strongly export-oriented, especially exports to the member countries of the EU. For many years Salzburg’s economy has occupied a leading position in Austria. On a European scale the province is one of the most dynamic regions.
In a recent survey of European regions Salzburg is listed as ...
Salzburg is at the Northern edge of the Alps and has a typical Central European climate with hot summers up to almost 40 degrees Celsius and cold winters down to minus 20 degrees Celsius.
So most of the year Salzburg has moderate weather conditions and should not keep you from ...
Maria Plain: church of pilgrimage
A church of pilgrimage and a Baroque gem in the outskirts of the city. Easily accessible by public bus, Maria Plain is the ideal destination for a quick trip.
Kleßheim Castle
A Baroque castle near the city that now hosts a Casino.
Liefering Parish Church
A mix ...
Salzburg's long history can be traced back to the Stone Age - but only in Baroque times it got really exciting! Here you will find a timeline with the most outstanding key events. Maybe you would also be interested in browsing the list of the Prince Archbishops. The first signs ...
Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps. The mountains to Salzburg's south contrast with the rolling plains to the north. The closest alpine peak – the 1972 m Untersberg – is only a few kilometers from the city center. The Altstadt, ...
Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Salzburg's "Old Town" with its world famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centers in the German-speaking world, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is ...
Upper Austria enjoys a moderate continental climate: summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports. Summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports.
In ...
Travel Chronicle: Europe Destination GuideName of Dublin The name Dublin is an Anglicism of Dubh Linn (Irish, meaning "Black Pool"), though some doubt this... Olympus Travel Olympus Travel Olympus Towering above ancient Dion, about 48 miles (77km) south of Thessaloniki is Greece’s highest mountain, Mount Olympus, home to... Villach : Austria Villach : Austria Villach (Slovenian Beljak) is the second largest city in Carinthia in the south of Austria, on the river... Travel Chronicle: Germany Destination GuideEurail Passes All six of the Eurail passes listed below and on p.216 are good throughout the seventeen Eurail countries: Austria,... Seven worthwhile spots you might overlook Seven worthwhile spots you might overlook 1. El Escorial, a monastery and palace about an hour outside Madrid. The tombs... Losing Things Losing Things Now here is a subject that I am truly a world expert on; the kind of expert Albert Einstein... Travel Chronicle: First Time in EuropeA Micro Course in European Culture A number of guidebooks list some of the customs and social idiosyncrasies of the various... Sewing/repair kit Sewing/repair kit A small sewing kit can be worth its weight in platinum. Once ... Frommer's Frommer's Frommer's is the granddaddy of budget travel guides; Arthur Frommer pretty much invented low-cost travel in Europe for non-Europeans with... Travel Chronicle: Europe Destination Guide |
|
Links to Site |