People and Society of Poland

Nationality

noun: Pole(s) adjective: Polish

Ethnic Groups

Polish 96.9%, Silesian 1.1%, German 0.2%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 1.7%

Population

38,463,689

Population (Male / Female)

total: 38,746,310 male: 18,441,415 female: 20,304,895

Population Distribution

population concentrated in the southern area around Krakow and the central area around Warsaw and Lodz, with an extension to the northern coastal city of Gdansk

Urban Population

urban population: 60.2% of total population rate of urbanization: -0.16% annual rate of change

Population in Major Urban Areas

1.798 million WARSAW (capital), 769,000 Krakow

Age Structure

0-14 years: 14.2% (male 2,830,048/female 2,676,300) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 12,513,402/female 13,036,977) 65 years and over: 19.8% (male 3,097,965/female 4,591,618)

Median Age

total: 42.9 years male: 41.5 years female: 44.3 years

Sex Ratio at Birth

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female

Adequate medical care is available in Poland, but hospital facilities and nursing support are not comparable to American standards. Physicians are generally well trained, but specific emergency services may be lacking in certain regions, especially in Poland's small towns and rural areas. Younger doctors generally speak English, but nursing staff usually do not. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Medications are generally available, although they may not be specific U.S. brand-name drugs.

Life Expectancy at Birth

total population: 76.7 years male: 72.8 years female: 80.9 years

Infant Mortality Rate

total: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Major Infectious Diseases

degree of risk: intermediate vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population

Tobacco Use

total: 24% male: 27.9% female: 20.1%

Alcohol Consumption

total: 10.96 liters of pure alcohol beer: 5.72 liters of pure alcohol wine: 0.88 liters of pure alcohol spirits: 4.36 liters of pure alcohol other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Total School Life Expectancy

total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years

Classroom

A typical school in Poland was built during the decade of socialism and is at least 30 years old. The appearance of every construction established between 1945 and 1989 can be described as a cubic made of homogeneous concrete. The range of kids enrolled in schoolhouses is from 2000 to 10,000. This number is systematically decreasing, mainly due to negative population growth. Classrooms are modestly furnished and can accommodate up to 40 students. The layout of every room at school looks almost identically, consisting of desks, chairs, and a table in front. Of course, some classrooms are designated for chemistry, biology, physics, and informatics, where additional equipment like microscopes, computers, or projectors can be found.

Education Culture

Poland is one of the main European countries' leaders in education progress. Since 2000, the number of students who graduated from Universities has risen by 133%, while the European norm is 33%. The role of education in society has been growing systematically since the fall of socialism. This situation is caused by the needs of the developing industry. More and more parents understand this situation and force children to continue their education. Even if they finish their education in High School, there is always a need to take unique courses to improve their qualification. Additionally, unemployment has been above 10 % for about ten years. This means that a low level of education makes it impossible to find a job. The education system perceives exact science as something more valuable than the humanities, so art is not treated seriously in school. Most schools don't provide any additional lessons related to music or drama.

Learning

A day at school is almost the same for younger and older children, but some differences exist. It depends on the level of classes they attend. A short day with few lessons, typically no more than 5, is reserved for courses from 1 to 3. The length of classes is 45 minutes and is obligatory for the whole education system. The breaks last for 5 to 25 minutes. The longest is used for lunch, but only 50% of children eat lunch at school. Meals can be bought at school, but most kids bring their lunch prepared by their parents. A primary school consists of nine years of teaching and is divided into three parts. The last one ends with the general exam, which classifies them to high school and is passed by about 90%. The teaching at primary school is focused on maths, informatics, environment, music, one foreign language, and Polish. The schedule does not overstrain children and facilitates their return home earlier. All lessons are in Polish, and there is no exception to this rule. Children cannot be taught in other primary languages at schools. A statistical school can contain up to 3000 students, and it is recommended that the number of kids in one room should not be greater than 30. There are no prescribed uniforms for children. Teachers are usually strict. They pay attention to behavior, punctuality, and cleanliness. The principals of schools want to change the image of education. It is known that children do not like to go to school. One of the main reasons for this is the relationship between a teacher and a child, which is very stiff. According to children's reports, most teachers are harsh and unpleasant, which is often reflected in their results. Teachers are asked to connect with care, warmth, and trust for children to improve school achievement and children's comfort. All these efforts are focused on better relationships between students and teachers. It is also believed that making kids feel secure and valued would be beneficial in the future. Schools are constantly evolving, but some rules are permanent for teachers and children, namely proper etiquette. Kids call for a teacher, starting with Mr, Misses, or Professor. Teachers always refer to the first name of a child.

To School

Most kids' schools are not located far from their place of living, so they usually go on foot or by bicycle. Getting to school in urban areas is by public transport like buses and trams. Children attending grades 1 to 3 use orange-painted school buses called Gimbus. The local authority provides this kind of transportation, which is the best way in rural areas where distances from school to villages are large. In some cases, children are driven by their parents, but only when the school and the parent's workplace are not far from each other.

• Roman Catholic95.0%
• E. Orthodox, Protestant, Other5.0%

Polish

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

• Polish

• Nicolaus Copernicus

  1473

  Copernicus, the great Polish astronomer, was born Mikolaj Kopernik in 1473 in the city of Torun, the son of a successful tradesman. Little is known of his early life beyond the fact that he was a serious youth with particular interests in the Greek and Latin languages. He was educated at home until entering the University of Cracow to study medicine and law. But it was Nicolaus’ "hobby" of astronomy (he never became a professional astronomer) along with his inherent aptitudes for mathematics, philosophy and draftsmanship (he was a talented painter), that made him into the famed founder of present-day astronomy. Copernicus revolutionized and radically expanded the western idea of the universe - all in his spare time. After Nicolaus graduated from Cracow with degrees in art and medicine, he studied in Padua, Italy, where he received a doctorate in canon law from the University of Ferrara. With law classes finished, Copernicus began in earnest to study medicine. As a future Churchman, it was quite fitting that he should become a practitioner so as to be able to minister to the indigent sick. Practical anatomy at the time was regarded with distrust and repugnance. Dissection was banned altogether; but now Copernicus and his associates utilized the bodies of executed criminals to expand this branch of science. The practice of medicine was not an uncommon concomitant for an early astronomer; the gulf between the various sciences was not so great as it is today. In fact, it was supposed that there existed a mystic correspondence between the organs of the body and the divisions of the universe; a relationship between astronomy and medicine that grew from the common belief in astrology. Copernicus was offered the canonry of the cathedral at Frauenburg by his uncle, the Bishop of Ermeland. Some months later, when his uncle died, the young monk found himself in sole control of the monastery. There, living a life of solitude, he conducted his daily routine according to a careful schedule - characteristic of this man of precision - intended to promote his development in all spheres of life. He divided his day into thirds, consigning one part to devotional performances and religious duties, another third to acts of charity (tending to the needs of the poor and sick), and the remaining third to the study of astronomy, combined with meditation. This disciplined adherence to a philosophy of balanced activity marked his entire life. Unraveling Mysteries of the Planets In the third century B.C., the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, using observationsmade by his disciple, Aristarchus of Samos, had correctly stated that the sun was the center of our solar system. The earth and other planets, he explained, rotated upon axes and revolved about the sun to create days, nights and changing seasons. Later, (about 170 B.C.), the astronomer Hipparchus catalogued the positions of the stars. But these brilliant conclusions were superseded by the doctrines of Ptolemy, a hellenic Egyptian king. Guided by Aristotle’s influential - but sometimes erroneous - teachings, Ptolemy believed that the earth was the immovable center of the universe, with all planets, stars and moons revolving about it. He argued that if the earth actually did rotate on an "axis" and revolve around another, central object, then the rush of atmosphere would sweep mankind off the face of the planet. This understanding had remained unchallenged for fourteen hundred years. Medieval European culture, in a careful, heroic, and paradoxical effort to save the remnants of classical western civilization in a continent that had been plundered and divided by its own barbarian peoples, had come to focus almost fanatically on the saving grace of preservation. Monks devoted whole lifetimes to copying and illuminating the words of Aristotle and his disciples, along with other Greek and Roman luminaries and Christian saints; but any attempt to continue in the questing spirit that had enlightened these early artisans and thinkers was considered the gravest sacrilege. Copernicus, however, was convinced that nature tended to behave in the simplest and most economical of ways. He saw Ptolemy’s ponderous, complicated scheme of circles within circles to describe planetary motion as confusing and illogical. He was satisfied that Pythagoras’ earlier theory was correct, but was unable to empirically prove it. With no telescope (this wonderful machine would not come along to verify his theories for another hundred years), the cloistered monk was left to his own designs to observe and calculate data received from the heavens. And design he did. First, he cut slits into the walls of his observation room. Through these he plotted the stars that crossed a prescribed meridian. In a short time, he was able, by means of a home-fashioned quadrant, to measure the altitude of individual stars above the horizon. At about forty years of age, Copernicus wrote a short manuscript setting forth his observations and conclusions. Though he only circulated his treatise among trusted friends, somehow word of his ideas leaked out. Soon, scientists flocked to Frauenburg in search of the truth about the planets and stars. However, Copernicus’ loyalty to the Church was strong; he disliked argument, and he felt that if he wrote against the almost sacred decrees of Ptolemy, charges of heresy would be forthcoming. His theories went unpublished. At this time Copernicus and others also sought to reform the calendar, which Julius Caesar had introduced 1500 years before. These skilled men minutely calculated the amount of time-adjustment that needed to be made in order to keep the calendar in line with nature’s seasons, and inserted in their design (along with the Roman "leap-year" every four years) a one-day adjustment to be made every 128 years. They made these precise measurements of the earth’s orbital rhythms with only the clumsey arithmetical methods available at the time, and without those invaluable aids to precision in astronomy, the telescope and the pendulum. However, their ideas were rejected - until they became the foundation for the calendrical reform carried out by Pope Gregory XIII some years after Copernicus’ death. The astronomer’s next twenty years were devoted to careful observations and meticulous calculations. From these Copernicus composed a skillful masterpiece, Concerning the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres, in which he cited evidence to help describe his detailed theories of planetary and lunar motion. This "Copernican" system of the universe expanded on the Pythagorean model, with the planets - respectively, Mercury, Venus, Earth (and its moon) Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn - revolving around a central sun. "... As if seated upon a royal throne, the Sun rules the family of the planets as they circle around him." These planets were ringed by what Copernicus termed the distant "Fixed Stars." Copernicus proposed that the earth hurtles rapidly through space; we do not sense its motion simply because we travel with the planet. The apparent motions we see in the heavens are in reality products of the earth’s rotation and revolution. These theories laid the groundwork for Galileo’s invention of the telescope, the planetary laws of Kepler, and Newton’s gravitation principle. The astronomer was never compensated for his work, nor, as a Churchman, did he expect compensation. On the contrary, he feared that undue publicity of his ideas would result in their official condemnation. Notwithstanding, Copernicus remained relentless in recording and documenting his beliefs. At age sixty, he finally delivered a series of lectures on his heliocentric universe in Rome, and was surprised when no papal censure followed. All the same, his findings were kept unpublished for nearly another decade, partly because he could never feel that they were quite ready to print - fresh observations were continually being added - and partly because he feared the storm of criticism which he was sure would be unleashed from all sides against these ideas. (And, in fact, a century later Galileo would receive, from both religious and philosophical movements that were at this time being instigated, persecution for teaching the very same concepts.) When at length Copernicus was persuaded to publish his book, he dedicated the work to the reigning Pope Paul III, the first in a line of more liberal, humane, and scholarly pontiffs. The "dedicatory note" was a masterfully bold, yet humble, plea: If there be some who, though ignorant of all mathematics, take [it] upon them to judge of these, and dare to reprove this work, because of some passage of Scripture, which they have miserably warped to their purpose, I regard them not, and even despise their rash judgement.... What I have done in this matter, I submit principally to your Holiness, and then to the judgement of all learned mathematicians. And that I may not seem to promise your Holiness more concerning the utility of this work than I am able to perform, I pass now to the work itself. On May 24, 1543, just hours before the astronomer-priest died of a stroke, the first printer’s copy of Concerning the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres was placed into his frail hands. His book instantly aroused great interest, and motivated other scientists to proceed with further exploration into the precise, mathematical laws of motion.

• 

  Marie Curie

  Scientist · 1858

  Marie Curie was born in Poland in 1867. As a child, she amazed people with her great memory. She learned to read when she was only four years old. Her father was a professor of science. The instruments that he kept in a glass case fascinated Marie. She dreamed of becoming a scientist, but that would not be easy. Her family became very poor, and at the age of 18, Marie became a governess. She helped pay for her sister to study in Paris. Later, her sister helped Marie with her education. In those days, there were no universities for girls in Poland. So, in 1891, Marie went to the Sorbonne University in Paris. She was so poor, she ate only bread and butter, and drank tea. She wore old clothes she had brought with her from Warsaw. Every day, she would study in the library until 10:00 p.m., then go to her cold little room, and read until 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning. After four years at the Sorbonne, Marie married Pierre Curie, a well-known physicist. (A physicist is a scientist who studies the physical nature of the world -- what things are made of and why they do what they do.) Together the Curies began looking for new elements. They took uranium ore, ground it up, and boiled it. They treated it with acids and other chemicals. Finally, after four years of hard work and tons of ore, they had one-tenth of a gram of pure radium. They had discovered the first radioactive element! In 1903, Marie, Pierre, and another scientist, Henry Becquerel, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their discovery of radium and their study of radioactivity. Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in Physics. Later, she won a second Nobel Prize in Chemistry. During World War I, Marie worked to develop x-rays. She believed they could help treat diseases like cancer. She never tried to make money from her discoveries, because she believed in helping others.

• Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla)

  Religious Leader · 1920

  Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla), first non-Italian to be elected pope in 456 years and first Polish pope. He was born in Wadowice, Poland on May 18, 1920.

Crime Information

While Poland generally has a low rate of violent crime, the incidence of street crime, which sometimes involves violence, is moderate. Major cities have higher rates of crime against residents and foreign visitors than other areas. Organized groups of thieves and pick-pockets operate at major tourist destinations, in train stations, and on trains, trams, and buses in major cities. Thieves often target overnight trains. Most pick-pocketing on trains occurs while boarding or disembarking. In a common scenario, a group of well-dressed young men surround you in the narrow aisle of the train, jostling and pick-pocketing you as they supposedly attempt to get around you. You should guard your passport, money, credit cards, and cell phone. The number of car thefts and carjacking has significantly declined, but theft from vehicles and attempted highway robberies remain a concern. Be wary of people indicating you should pull over or signaling that something is wrong with your car. If you pull over, you may find yourself suddenly surrounded by thieves from another vehicle. If you encounter someone indicating that there is trouble with your car, continue driving until you reach a safe spot (a crowded gas station, supermarket, or even police station) to inspect your vehicle. There have been incidents of thieves opening or breaking passenger-side doors and windows in slow or stopped traffic to take purses or briefcases from the passenger seat. Remember to keep windows closed and doors locked, and use parking garages and anti-theft devices. You should not leave valuables in plain sight inside vehicles, as this increases the opportunity for theft. U.S. citizens of Asian and African descent have reported being targets of verbal harassment and physical attacks while traveling in Poland. Under Polish law, if asked by Polish police, you must verify your identity by presenting a travel document, a residence permit card, or an identity card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Recently, the Border Guards (Stra%u017C Graniczna) have increased random travel document checks on trains originating from or transiting border countries. Border Guards may appear in plain clothes when requesting passports and other travel documents, which are scanned into a handheld scanner for verification. If you are a tourist, this means that you are expected to carry your passport with you. Please ensure the security of your passport while traveling to prevent incidents of pick-pocketing or theft. Keep a copy of your passport biodata page (and any pages with valid visas) in a safe place separate from the passport itself; this can help you when applying for a new passport if yours is lost or stolen. You should change money only at banks or legitimate money kiosks. A legitimate offer to change money by an unknown person on the street is extremely rare and would almost certainly be a scam. Automated teller machines (ATMs) are widely available throughout major cities in Poland. Most Polish ATMs offer instructions in multiple languages and allow access to U.S. bank accounts. The press has reported that criminal organizations have illegally obtained users' ATM card numbers and PIN codes by electronically "skimming" the information from victims' cards at public ATMs. Try to use machines at more secure or heavily traveled and monitored locations, such as commercial banks, large hotels, shopping malls, and airports. You should notify your bank of all international travel before you leave the United States, and monitor your personal bank account after traveling. Polish bars and dance clubs are generally safe for the vast majority of visitors. However, as in many cities, people may approach you with offers of illicit drugs, which are against the law in Poland. Be mindful that security personnel at nightclubs could respond more forcefully than at similar venues in the United States. Whereas casinos and gaming establishments are government-regulated, some are affiliated with, or have attracted the interest of, organized crime. Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only is it illegal to bring such items into the United States, if you purchase them, you may also be breaking Polish or EU law.

Criminal Penalties

While traveling in Poland, you are subject to its laws, even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don't have your passport with you. It is illegal in Poland to take pictures of military buildings and other national security or restricted objects. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. Likewise, riding a bike while under the influence is also illegal and can result in being jailed, paying steep fines and banned from riding a bike in Poland for half a year or more. Criminal penalties in Poland vary from the United States. There are some things that might be legal in Poland, but illegal in the United States, for which you can be prosecuted under U.S. law, such as buying pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in Poland is a crime prosecutable in Poland and in the United States. If you break local laws in Poland, your U.S. passport won't help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It's very important to know what's legal and what's not wherever you visit. Penalties are severe for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Poland, and you can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines if convicted. If you are arrested in Poland, the authorities are required to notify the nearestU.S.embassy or consulate of your arrest, but this does not always happen quickly. If you are concerned that the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the policeor prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. This pertains in particular to dual U.S.-Polish nationals, since Poland does not recognize (although it does not prohibit) dual nationality. A person holding Polish and U.S. citizenship is deemed by Poland to be a Polish citizen.