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Poland
Year of EU entry: 2004
Political system: Republic
Capital city: Warsaw
Total area: 313 000 km²
Population: 38.1 million
Currency: Zloty
Official language: Polish
Republic of Poland is located Central Europe. The north of Poland, stretching to the Baltic Sea, consists almost entirely of lowlands while the Carpathian Mountains form the southern border. The Masuria region forms the largest and most-visited Lake District in Poland.
Poland was again established as a sovereign state after World War I (1914-1918). It was partitioned a fourth time in 1939 by Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). After World War II (1939-1945), Polish territory suffered a substantial net loss, as the land ceded to the USSR in the east was nearly double that acquired from Germany in the west.
Poland is rich in natural mineral resources, including rock salt. The Wieliczka salt mine contains an entire town below ground with sanatorium, theatre, church and café! Everything from stairs to chandeliers is made from salt.
Poland’s current constitution dates from 1997. The President is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. The 460 members of the lower house of parliament (the Sejm) and the 100 members of the senate are directly elected by a system of proportional representation to serve four-year terms.
Last updated: 1/9/2010