What countries border Poland?
What is the current weather in Poland?
What is Poland famous for?
What is the capital of Poland?
Capital | Warsaw |
Government Type | parliamentary republic |
Currency | Polish Zloty (PLN) |
Total Area |
120,728 Square Miles 312,685 Square Kilometers |
Location | Central Europe, east of Germany |
Language | Polish |
GDP - real growth rate | 3.5% |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | $26,400.00 (USD) |
What is the population of Poland?
Ethnic Group - note | represents ethnicity declared first |
Ethnic Groups | Polish 96.9%, Silesian 1.1%, German 0.2%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 1.7% |
Languages | Polish (official) 98.2%, Silesian 1.4%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.2%; note - data represent the language spoken at home; shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; Poland ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in 2009 recognizing Kashub as a regional language, Czech, Hebrew, Yiddish, Belarusian, Lithuanian, German, Armenian, Russian, Slovak, and Ukrainian as national minority languages, and Karaim, Lemko, Romani (Polska Roma and Bergitka Roma), and Tatar as ethnic minority languages |
Nationality Noun |
noun: Pole(s) adjective: Polish |
Population | 38,282,325 |
Population Growth Rate | -1% |
Population in Major Urban Areas | 1.798 million WARSAW (capital), 769,000 Krakow |
Urban Population |
urban population: 60.2% of total population rate of urbanization: -0.16% annual rate of change |
Population: Male/Female |
total: 38,746,310 male: 18,441,415 female: 20,304,895 |
What type of government does Poland have?
Executive Branch |
chief of state: President Andrzej DUDA (since 6 August 2015) head of government: Prime Minister Donald TUSK (since 11 December 2023); Deputy Prime Ministers Wladyslaw KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ, Krzysztof GAWKOWSKI (both since 11 December 2023) cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president, and approved by the Sejm elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 28 June 2020 with a second round on 12 July 2020 (next to be held in 2025); prime minister, deputy prime ministers, and Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm; all presidential candidates resign their party affiliation election results: 2020: Andrzej DUDA reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Andrzej DUDA (independent) 51%, Rafal TRZASKOWSKI (KO) 49% 2015: Andrzej DUDA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Andrzej DUDA (independent) 51.5%, Bronislaw KOMOROWSKI (independent) 48.5% |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal |
Citizenship |
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Poland dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years |
National Holiday | Constitution Day, 3 May (1791) |
Constitution |
history: several previous; latest adopted 2 April 1997, approved by referendum 25 May 1997, effective 17 October 1997 amendments: proposed by at least one fifth of Sejm deputies, by the Senate, or by the president of the republic; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote in the Sejm and absolute majority vote in the Senate; amendments to articles relating to sovereignty, personal freedoms, and constitutional amendment procedures also require passage by majority vote in a referendum; amended 2006, 2009 |
Independence | 11 November 1918 (republic proclaimed); notable earlier dates: 14 April 966 (adoption of Christianity, traditional founding date), 1 July 1569 (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created) |
What environmental issues does Poland have?
Overview |
Poland ranks seventh in Europe in area and population. Most of Poland consists of lowland plains. To the north are the Baltic Sea coast and a broad belt of lake land. In the center are broad, low-lying plains and vast forest belts. To the south, the land passes into chains of mountains—the Sudety in the west and the Carpathians in the east. These mountains combine to form the southern boundary of Poland. The Tatra Mountains, a part of the Carpathians, are the highest in Poland. Rysy Mountain rises 8,212 feet above sea level. At the foot of the Tatras lies the town of Zakopane, a year-round sports center. One main seaport, Szczecin, is near the German border. Poland’s two other major port cities, Gdansk, and Gdynia, lie about 170 miles farther east, at the mouth of the Vistula River. Many summer resorts with beautiful beaches lie along the Baltic coast. About 200 miles north of Warsaw is a belt of lakes stretching from Olsztyn to Augustow, surrounded by the largest forest in Poland. The main rivers are the Vistula, on which Warsaw and Krakow are situated; the Odra, whose northern course forms a part of the German border; the Narew, in northeastern Poland; the Warta, on which Poznan is located; and the Bug, part of which helps form Poland's eastern boundary. In addition to Warsaw and the port cities, Poland has several other major cities. Krakow, a former capital, is noted for its beautiful Renaissance architecture. Wawel, the Castle Hill, is the former seat and present burial site of Poland’s past kings. Lodz is the center of Polish light industry. Poznan is an industrial and agricultural center and site of the International Poznan Fair. Other major cities are Wroclaw, Katowice, and Gdansk. |
Climate | Poland’s climate is continental European. Winters can be severe, with heavy snows possible from December through March. Winter temperatures in Warsaw average about -3.9ºC to 0ºC. The lowest temperature in recent years was - 30ºC. Spring is usually cold and rainy. Summer can bring temperatures topping 37ºC, but a few days at about 32ºC is more typical. Autumn is usually cloudy and can be quite cold. Yearly rainfall averages about 59.69 centimeters. |
Border Countries | Belarus 407 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Slovakia 444 km, Ukraine 526 km |
Environment - Current Issues | situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by post-Communist governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastes; pollution levels should continue to decrease as industrial establishments bring their facilities up to European Union code, but at substantial cost to business and the government |
Environment - International Agreements | party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94 |
Terrain | mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border |
How big is the Poland economy?
Economic Overview |
Poland has been experiencing robust economic growth and development, becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in Central and Eastern Europe. Growth and Stability: Despite global economic challenges, Poland has maintained steady economic growth for several years. Its GDP growth rate has consistently outperformed many other European countries. Domestic demand, investments, and exports primarily drive the country's GDP. Diverse Economy: Poland's economy is diverse, with various sectors contributing to its growth. Key sectors include manufacturing, agriculture, information technology, finance, and services. The country has also seen significant foreign investment, particularly in the automotive, electronics, and outsourcing industries. Exports and Trade: Poland is an export-oriented economy, with exports accounting for a substantial portion of its GDP. The country exports machinery and equipment, furniture, food products, chemicals, and vehicles, among other goods. Its main trading partners include Germany, France, the UK, and other European countries. Labor Market: Poland has a large and relatively young labor force, contributing to its economic growth. However, there are concerns about emigration, particularly of skilled workers, which could impact specific sectors in the long run. Infrastructure Development: Poland has invested in infrastructure development, including transportation networks, energy, and telecommunications. These investments aim to enhance connectivity within the country and improve its competitiveness on the global stage. EU Membership: Poland's membership in the European Union has driven economic growth through access to EU funds, trade agreements, and foreign investment. However, challenges such as compliance with EU regulations and managing EU funds effectively remain. Challenges: Despite its economic successes, Poland faces several challenges, including income inequality, regional disparities, bureaucracy, and corruption. Moreover, there are concerns about political stability and the rule of law, which can impact investor confidence and economic growth. |
Industries | machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles |
Currency Name and Code | Polish Zloty (PLN) |
Export Partners | Germany 32.3%, France 6%, Italy 5.5%, UK 5.2%, Netherlands 4.5%, Czech Republic 4% |
Import Partners | Germany 24.3%, Italy 8.4%, Russia 8%, France 7% |
What current events are happening in Poland?
Source: Google News
What makes Poland a unique country to travel to?