| Poland | |
| Flag | |
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| location | |
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| Information | |
| Capital city | Warsaw |
| System | parliamentary democracy |
| Currency | zloty (PLN, PLN) 1 zloty = 100 groszy (gr) |
| Time zone | UTC 1 winter UTC 2 summer |
| Surface | 312,685 km² |
| Population | 38 636 156 |
| Official language | Polish |
| Dominant religion | Catholicism |
| Telephone code | 48 |
| Electric voltage | 230 V / 50 Hz |
| Socket type | E, C |
| Car code | PL |
| Car traffic | right hand |
| Internet domain | .pl |
Poland - country located in Central Europe, at the Baltic sea. It is bordered in the northeast with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast), in the east with Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine, in the south with Slovakia and Czechs, in the west with Germany.
Characteristic
Poland is attractive in terms of tourism and can offer tourists a variety of leisure and recreation opportunities. Sometimes the purpose of people coming to Poland is shopping, sanatorium treatment or medical and dental treatments ("medical tourism”).
One of the many advantages that Poland can offer is: interesting, diverse and in many places natural nature. The Baltic coast has numerous sandy beaches and resorts offering a wide range of entertainment. The lakes belt is primarily sailing and fishing, as well as numerous beaches and bathing areas. In the lowlands you can meet interesting natural areas, as well as take advantage of spas such as Ciechocinek and Nałęczów. The south of Poland is known for its Jurassic landscape Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, Bieszczady with mountain pastures suitable for hiking, Tatra Mountains suitable for mountain hiking as well as picturesque Beskids and Sudetes with mountain ranges such as Giant Mountains and Owl Mountains and the Kłodzko and Jeleniogórska inter-mountain valleys.
The longest river in Poland is Vistula, it is also the longest river flowing into The Baltic Sea, with a length of 1047 km. The Vistula river basin covers an area of 194,424 km² (168,000 km² in Poland).
History
See on Wikipedia: The history of Poland covers the history of the Polish state and nation from the 10th to the 21st century.
The history of Poland begins with the reign of the first historical ruler, Mieszko I, who was baptized in 966. His son Bolesław the Brave was crowned the first king of Poland in 1025. Until 1138, Poland as a patrimonial monarchy was ruled by the rulers of the Piast dynasty, who, apart from the districts allocated to juniors and transitional periods of division, maintained sovereignty over its entire territory.
As a result of the so-called of the succession act of prince Bolesław the Wrymouth, for 150 years, Polish lands underwent a deepening fragmentation of the district. Attempts to reunify began at the end of the 13th century, and finally they were crowned with the coronation of Władysław the Short in 1320. The Piast dynasty died out after the death of his son, Casimir the Great in 1370, who left no descendants. The rule in Poland was taken over by the Andegawens (Ludwik Węgierski and Jadwiga), and then by the kings of the Jagiellonian dynasty.
In 1569, the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland entered into a permanent relationship with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. By virtue of the union concluded in Lublin, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was established, which from 1573 was ruled by rulers appointed by free elections. This state was one of the largest territorially political organisms in Europe. After the peace with Russia concluded in Polanów in 1634, it reached the area of 990 thousand square meters. km². During this period, a specific political system developed in the Republic of Poland, based on the domination of a very large number of nobility and a system of parliamentary government. The golden age of the state fell on the reign of the last Jagiellonians. It finally ended with the wars of the mid-seventeenth century.
In the next century, Poland, plunged into anarchy, began to fall into a strong dependence on Russia, and then disappeared from the map of Europe as a result of three partitions. An independent Polish state did not exist until the 20th century, although its vestigial forms periodically appeared, such as the Duchy of Warsaw, the Congress Kingdom and the Grand Duchy of Poznań. The full revival of Poland took place only after the First World War, when the Second Polish Republic was established in the situation of the collapse of the partitioning powers. It existed until 1939, that is until the beginning of World War II. In September 1939, Polish lands were occupied by the Third Reich and the USSR. It was not until 1944 that their gradual takeover by the Soviet troops and the Polish People's Army formed at their side began.
After the end of the war, Poland found itself behind the so-called Iron Curtain, and the communists took power in it. In 1952, the state was renamed the Polish People's Republic. Until 1989, it was governed by a party system in which the leading role was played by the Polish United Workers' Party. Apart from her, there were also satellite groups - ZSL and SD. It eventually collapsed as a result of a process known as the Autumn of Nations. The parliamentary elections in 1989 initiated the processes of democratization and economic reforms which enabled the Third Republic of Poland to join NATO (1999), and then the European Union (2004).
Voivodeships
- Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship
- Lublin province
- Lubuskie
- Łódź Voivodeship
- Lesser Poland Voivodeship
- masovian district
- Opolskie Voivodeship
- Podkarpackie voivodeship
- Podlaskie voivodeship
- Pomeranian Voivodeship
- Lower Silesia
- Silesian Voivodeship
- Holy Cross province
- Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship
- Greater Poland Voivodeship
- West Pomeranian voivodeship
Worth visiting
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- Warsaw - the capital and the largest city in the province Mazowieckie, the reconstructed Warsaw Old Town has been on the UNESCO list for 25 years;
- Białystok - the capital of Podlasie, with the Branicki Palace, the birthplace of Ludwik Zamenhof in the province Podlasie
- Gdansk - the city of Solidarity and for centuries (until the establishment of the Free Hanseatic City of Gdańsk) it was the most important port in Poland;
- Kazimierz Dolny
- Łódź - the capital of the Polish textile industry. A city of large factories and the mansions of their owners. The nineteenth-century urban layout with Piotrkowska Street (the longest street along the shopping street in Europe) and one of the few regular octagon-shaped markets in the world - Wolności Square. The largest shopping, cultural and entertainment center, Manufaktura, and the largest city forest in Europe (Łagiewniki forest with an area of 12 km²).
- Cracow - the richest Polish city in monuments in the voivodeship Lesser Poland, its centuries-old capital, since 1978 on the UNESCO list;
- Poznan - here began the history of Poland in the province in the 10th century. Greater Poland; a city with the Warta River, rich and interesting history;
- Sandomierz - a historic town on the Vistula embankment, with a cathedral, a castle, a restored market square with a town hall;
- Toruń - the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus and an interesting Old Town in the province. Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship
- Wroclaw - the capital of the voivodeship Lower Silesia, known for its magnificent architecture and long and turbulent history;
- Kalisz - the oldest city in Poland in the voivodeship Greater Poland;
- buried - a city located at the foot of the highest Polish mountains - Tatra Mountains;
- The Elbląg Canal - navigable waterway on the site Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, an outstanding technical monument, included in the Monuments of History by the President of the Republic of Poland. The ship covers a difference of 99 meters in the water level over a length of 84.2 km, partly overland on platforms, using 5 slipways, the second such solution does not exist in Europe.
Objects from the UNESCO World Heritage List
| Photo | object |
|---|---|
 | Old Town in Krakow - area covering Main Market Square in Krakow along with the surrounding streets, Wawel and the district Kazimierz. The most important monuments include: the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Hall, Wawel Castle, the Barbican, historic synagogues in Kazimierz and the buildings of the Jagiellonian University. The area was entered on the UNESCO list in 1978 as one of the first 12 sites in the world. |
 | Royal Salt Mines in Wieliczka and Bochnia - located near Krakow in Wieliczka and Bochnia mines are a group of corridors available for visiting. In Wieliczka, they are 360 km long on 9 levels, although the tourist route is 3 km long. Among the attractions in the mine in Bochnia we will find, among others an underground train, a slide, and the possibility of staying overnight at a depth of 250 m underground. The Wieliczka Salt Mine was entered on the list in 1978 as one of the first 12 facilities in the world. The Bochnia mine was added in 2013. |
 | Auschwitz-Birkenau. German Nazi concentration and extermination camp (1940-1945) - the area of the former extermination camp is a special historical monument. Inscribed on the UNESCO list in 1979. |
 | Białowieża Primeval Forest - a primeval forest located in Poland and Belarus, one of the last in Europe. Known primarily from the bison population. Inscribed on the UNSECO list in 1979, later the area of registration was significantly expanded. |
 | Old Town in in Warsaw - rebuilt after World War II, where 85% of the city center was destroyed, with carefully restored churches, palaces and the market square. On the UNESCO list since 1980. |
 | Old Town in Zamosc - built in the 16th century by Jan Zamoyski, modeled on an ideal Italian city. Inscribed on the list in 1992. |
 | Medieval town complex Toruń - the historic center of Toruń is, among others ruins of a Teutonic castle from the 13th century and medieval Hanseatic buildings. On the UNESCO list since 1997. |
 | Teutonic castle in Malbork - a Teutonic fortress built in the 13th century, from 1309 the seat of the Grand Master. Rebuilt at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1997 it was entered on the UNESCO list. |
 | kalwaria Zebrzydowska: a mannerist architectural and landscape complex and a pilgrimage park - an important pilgrimage site from the 17th century, the Bernardine Sanctuary, which consists of a basilica, a monastery and 42 chapels. Called "Polish Jerusalem". Inscribed on the UNESCO list in 1999. |
 | Churches of Peace in Jawor and Świdnica - the largest frame churches in Europe, built in the 17th century in memory of the Peace of Westphalia, ending the Thirty Years' War. Inscribed on the UNESCO list in 2001. |
 | Wooden churches of southern Lesser Poland: Binarowa, Scar, Debno, Haczów, Lipnica Murowana, Sękowa - a complex of medieval wooden churches, built using the log technique. From 2003 on the UNESCO list. |
 | Muskauer Park - located in Bowmen in Lubuskie voivodship stretches on both sides of the Nysa Łużycka. It is the largest English-style park in Poland - 552 ha on the Polish side and 206 ha on the German side. It was established in 1815 and entered on the list in 2004. |
 | Centennial Hall in Wrocław - a reinforced concrete building built in 1911–13 in Wrocław, commemorating the hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Leipzig. In 2006 it was placed on the UNESCO list. |
 | Wooden churches in the Polish and Ukrainian Carpathian region - 16 churches with a log structure, 8 of which are located in Poland: in Radruż, Chotyniec, Smolink, Turzańsk, Powroźnik, Owczary, Kwiatoń, and Brunary Wyżne. Inscribed on the list in 2013. |
 | Lead, silver and zinc ore mine in Tarnowskie Góry and the underground water management system - the youngest entry from 2017. It includes the mine with shafts and tunnels, as well as the steam pumping station building. |
Regions worth knowing in Poland
Sea resorts worth seeing
Mountain resorts worth seeing
- Iwonicz-Zdrój - one of the oldest Polish spas, known for its numerous healing springs
- Krynica-Zdrój - the pearl of Polish health resorts
- Karpacz
- Ladek-Zdrój
- Rymanów-Zdrój - a health resort among the mountains and forests of the Low Beskids
- Szczyrk
- Szklarska Poreba
- Świeradów-Zdrój
- Ustron
- Vistula - the place where Adam Małysz comes from in the province Silesian
- buried - the most popular town in the Polish mountains in the province Lesser Poland
- Szczawnica - the largest accommodation base in Pieniny in the province. Lesser Poland
Mountains worth seeing
- Carpathians
- Sudetes
- Giant Mountains - the highest elevations of the Sudetes
- Table Mountains - fantastic rock formations
- Śnieżnik Massif - the highest peak of the Polish Sudetes outside the Karkonosze Mountains
- Sleza Massif - the highest peak of the Sudeten Foreland
- Swietokrzyskie Mountains in Świętokrzyskie voivodship
National parks
in the 2014-2015 timetable
- Babia Góra National Park
- Bialowieza National Park
- Biebrza National Park
- Bieszczady National Park
- Bory Tucholskie National Park
- Drawieński National Park
- Gorczański National Park
- Table Mountains National Park
- Kampinoski National Park
- Karkonosze National Park
- Magura National Park
- Narew National Park
- Ojców National Park
- Pieniny National Park
- Poleski National Park
- Roztocze National Park
- Slowinski National Park
- Świętokrzyski National Park
- Tatra National Park
- Ujście Warty National Park
- Wielkopolski National Park
- Wigry National Park
- Wolin National Park
Transport
The transport network in Poland is well developed. By rail, you can easily reach larger and medium-sized Polish cities, while buses and minibuses of private carriers run to virtually all smaller towns.
By train
Main article: Rail transport in Poland is offered by the company PKP S.A., which includes operator companies, such as: PKP Intercity, PKP Szybka Kolej Miejska, PKP Cargo, etc. The carriers also include Regional Transport, which transports the largest number of passengers in Poland, and regional carriers, e.g. Koleje Mazowieckie, Koleje Śląskie, Koleje Dolnośląskie, Koleje Wielkopolskie and Arriva RP.
Due to the price, standard and speed of travel, the following types of trains can be distinguished:
- EIP Express Intercity Premium, EIC Express InterCity, EC EuroCity - the most expensive, but also the fastest and of the highest standard. Free seat reservation when buying a ticket.
- TLK (Your Railway Lines), IC (InterCity) - the most popular trains, quite fast, much cheaper than express trains, run on long routes, free seat reservation when buying a ticket.
- IR InterRegio, RE Regioekspres - fast trains of the Przewozy Regionalne company. Prices are close to TLK. RE trains run wagons with increased comfort. Planned for liquidation in 2015.
- Regio, Personal - the slowest, because they usually stop at every station, but also the cheapest trains.
- Suburban - trains running from large cities to the suburbs, usually the length of the route does not exceed several dozen kilometers.
The network of rail connections is dense, although in the last 15 years it has been shrinking for economic reasons. For several years, fortunately, local governments have been trying to restore local railroads; you can get back by train, incl. to Darłowo, Mielno, the Sowie Mountains, to Olecko, Wałcz etc.
By car
existing
in construction
planning
The road network in Poland is well developed. One problem is the small number of city bypasses, so when traveling by car, it is often necessary to pass through their centers.
By bus
- Search engine for bus, coach and train connections - http://www.e-podroznik.pl/
- Search engine for bus, train and air connections - http://www.goeuro.pl/
Border crossings
Poland - Russia
In construction
Poland - Belarus
- Ironworks – Bruzgi
- Bobrowniki – Brzostowica
- Bialowieza – Piererow (only passenger traffic from 1.4. to 30.09.)
- Polovtsy – High
- Corns – Kozłowicze
- Terespol – Brest (only up to 3.5 t)
- Sławatycze – Domachevo
Poland - Ukraine
- Dorohusk – Yahodyn
- Zosin – Ustyluh (only passenger traffic)
- Hrebenne – Rawa Ruska
- Korczow – Krakowiec
- Medic – Szeginie
- Krościenko – Stariawa (only up to 3.5 t)
In construction
Planning
- Uhrusk's Will – Adamczuki - seasonal, ferry and passenger crossing.