The countryside of Piatnica
It's official name is the Republic of Poland
Size: 312,685 km (about the size of New Mexico)
Population: 38,239,000 (2002 national census)
Nationality: 96.74% Polish born
Capital: Warsaw
Location: Central Europe
Year of Independence: 1989
Joined European Union: 2004
Warsaw (Var SHA vah) for its history and architectural evolution
Krakow (KRAK ov) for its culture, film festival and Kasimierz, the old Jewish Quarter
Częstochowa (CHES tah HO vah) for the icon, The Black Madonna
Zakopane (ZAK oh PAN eh) for its combination of vacation fun and the beauty of the Tatra Mountain range
Gdańsk (Gah DANSK) for its multi-ethnic flavor, seaside beauty and home of the Solidarność (Solidarity) movement
The Wawel Castle in Krakow
Statue of Fryderyk Chopin at the Łazienki Park
in Warsaw
Fryderyk Chopin, Composer
People from all over the world come to Warsaw, the city of Chopin's youth,
for concerts and piano competitions.
Karol Wojtyła, Pope John
Paul II
Born in Wadowice, he became Pope and was instrumental in helping Poland gain
independence. In 2005 when he died, businesses closed for a week as Poles
mourned the loss of its most loved citizen.
Joseph Conrad, Author
Known as Józef Konrad Korzeniowski in Poland, Conrad is one of the most
respected writers of the world.
Madame Curie, Novel
Luareate, Scientist
The woman who was the discoverer of radium and polonium was known in Poland
as Maria Skłodowska-Curie, she was born in Warsaw and left for Paris at the
age of 24.
Nicolas Copernicus (Mikołas
Kopernik), Astronomer
His discoveries rocked the religious world and brought forth a new era in
science.
With Germany to the west and Russia to the east, Poland found itself in the middle and its history is filled with invasions and uprisings. World War II concentration camps stand as historic monuments to mans' inhumanity to man. Not until 1989 has Poland found independence. Its people have had the will, stamina and faith to endure many centuries of oppression.
Auschwitz sign reads "Work will set you free"
Catholic church in Wadowice, Pope John Paul II's
home town
Faith is a reason to celebrate in Poland ... feast days abound. One special, yet solemn occasion, is All Souls Day, when families go to the cemeteries to place candles and flowers at the graves of those they've loved. Pope John Paul II was so loved for all he stood for and for his courage to work to gain independence for Poland even though political leaders posed deadly challenges. Mary, the Mother of God, is also considered the Mother of Poland. Pilgrims flock to Częstochowa to pray to the Black Madonna and many say it is the faith of the Polish people that helped them last through so much injustice.
You'll find the Carpathian Mountains in the south that lead north into the Sub-Carpathian Valleys, the Uplands, the Central Polish Lowlands, the Lake District and finally the Coastal Region along the Baltic Sea. Add 350 castles and manor houses and Poland is a feast for the eyes from north to south.
The countryside from Zakopane
Farmland near Lublin
One of Poland's most important industries is agriculture. Drive along the highway and you might even see a farmer working his land with a horse-drawn plow. Centuries ago, Poland protected its forests and today, one third of the country's national parks, scenic parks, reserves, and national monuments are legally protected. And more than 27% is protected forest land. Mushroom picking is a family activity and you'll often find people selling berries and mushrooms by the roadside.