Poland

Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It stretches from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south. Poland shares borders with Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukraine to the east, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to the south, and Germany to the west. The country has a varied landscape and a temperate climate.

Poland is made up of sixteen voivodeships and is the fifth most populous member state of the European Union. The capital and largest city is Warsaw, with other major cities including Kraków, Wrocław, Łódź, Poznań, and Gdańsk.

Historically, Poland has a rich past. The region has been home to humans since ancient times. Poland became a kingdom in 1025 and later joined with Lithuania. After facing difficult times, Poland regained its independence in 1918. In 1989, it became a liberal democracy.

Today, Poland is a parliamentary republic. It has a strong economy and offers free university education and universal health care. Poland is also known for its historic sites, with many World Heritage Sites and national parks. It is a member of important international organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union.

Etymology

Main article: Names of Poland

The name Poland, called Polska in its own language, comes from an old group of people called the Polans. They lived near the Warta River in a place called Greater Poland long ago. Their name likely came from an old word meaning “field.”

Another old name for the country is Lechia, which is still used in some languages like Hungarian, Lithuanian, and Persian. This name might have come from a legendary leader named Lech or from another group of people called the Lendians. Both names were used to describe Poland in old times.

History

Main article: History of Poland

Prehistory and protohistory

The first early humans lived in what is now Poland about 500,000 years ago. The climate was very cold, making it hard to stay. When the weather got better, more people came. During the Stone Age, people learned to farm and make tools. One of the oldest examples of cheese-making was found in Poland, from 5500 BC. People also found a very old drawing of a wheeled vehicle.

Kingdom of Poland

Main articles: History of Poland during the Piast dynasty, Baptism of Poland, and Kingdom of Poland

Poland began to become a country around the middle of the 10th century under a family called the Piasts. In 966, Poland’s leader, Mieszko I, chose to follow the Christian faith. This helped Poland connect with other Christian countries. Over time, Poland grew by taking land from nearby areas. There were some hard times, like when leaders argued, but Poland kept growing.

The Golden Age

Main articles: History of Poland during the Jagiellonian dynasty and Polish Golden Age

In 1386, Poland joined with Lithuania, creating a large and strong country. This partnership helped both countries become richer and more powerful. Poland fought important battles and made many cultural advances. Leaders built beautiful buildings and supported artists.

Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

Main articles: History of Poland in the Early Modern era (1569–1795), Crown of the Kingdom of Poland, and Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

In 1569, Poland and Lithuania formed a union, becoming one country with a leader chosen by the people. This was a time of great wealth and culture. However, problems grew over time, and the country began to weaken because of wars and conflicts inside.

Partitions

Main articles: History of Poland (1795–1918) and Partitions of Poland

In the late 1700s, Poland was divided and controlled by nearby countries. This was very hard for the Polish people, who tried many times to fight back and win their freedom. Their spirit never gave up.

Era of insurrections

Main articles: Austrian Partition, Prussian Partition, and Russian Partition

After Poland lost its independence, its people kept trying to get it back. There were many uprisings and battles led by brave leaders. Even though these efforts were not always successful, they showed the strong will of the Polish people to be free.

Second Polish Republic

Main articles: History of Poland (1918–1939), Battle of Warsaw (1920), and Second Polish Republic

After World War I, Poland became independent again. The country faced many challenges, but it worked hard to build a new government and society. Leaders worked to make Poland strong and stable.

World War II

Main articles: History of Poland (1939–1945), Invasion of Poland, Military history of Poland during World War II, and War crimes in occupied Poland during World War II

World War II started when Germany invaded Poland in 1939. Poland was fought over by Germany and the Soviet Union, and many people suffered. Polish people fought back through resistance movements and helped the Allied forces. The war caused big losses in Poland.

Post-war communism

Main articles: History of Poland (1945–1989), Polish People's Republic, History of Solidarity, and Polish Round Table Agreement

After World War II, Poland came under the control of a communist government supported by the Soviet Union. Life was hard for many people, but there were times when small freedoms returned. In the 1980s, a movement called Solidarity fought for workers’ rights and helped end communist rule in Poland.

Third Polish Republic

Main article: History of Poland (1989–present)

In the early 1990s, Poland changed from a communist country to a democracy with a free market economy. The country joined important organizations like NATO and the European Union, which helped it grow stronger and more connected to the rest of Europe. Poland continues to face new challenges and opportunities today.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Poland

Poland is a country in Central Europe. It covers 312,722 km² (120,743 sq mi), making it the ninth-largest country in Europe. Most of the land is flat in the north and central areas, but it becomes hilly and mountainous in the south.

The country has a long coastline along the Baltic Sea, with many sandy beaches and special natural areas. In the south, Poland has two major mountain ranges: the Sudetes in the west and the Carpathians in the east. The highest point in Poland is Rysy in the Tatra Mountains, which stands at 2,500 metres (8,202 ft). The lowest point is Marzęcino, which is 2.2 metres (7.2 ft) below sea level.

Poland has many rivers, with the Vistula being the longest. The country also has many lakes, especially in the northeastern region.

Main article: Geography of Poland § Climate

Poland has a temperate climate, meaning it has warm summers and cold winters. Summers are usually warm with temperatures around 20 °C (68 °F), while winters can be quite cold, averaging around −1.2 °C (29.8 °F). Rain is more common in the summer, especially between June and September.

Main article: Geography of Poland § Biodiversity

Poland is home to many different plants and animals. Forests cover about 31% of the land, with common trees like oak, maple, beech, pine, spruce, and fir. Poland is known for its wildlife, including animals like the European bison, white stork, white-tailed eagle, Eurasian beaver, lynx, gray wolf, and Tatra chamois. The country has many protected areas, including 23 national parks, two of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Białowieża and Bieszczady.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Poland

Poland is a country where people choose their leaders by voting. The president, chosen by everyone voting, is the head of state. The prime minister, chosen by the president, is the head of government and leads a group called the Council of Ministers.

Poland’s parliament has two parts: the Sejm with 460 members and the Senate with 100 members. Members of the Sejm are chosen by voting, and parties need at least 5% of the votes to have members. Senators are chosen from each area of Poland. Both groups serve for four years and are protected from being punished for their work.

Main article: Administrative divisions of Poland

Poland is divided into 16 large areas called voivodeships. These areas are split into smaller parts called counties, and then into even smaller parts called municipalities. Big cities are often both a municipality and a county.

Main article: Law of Poland

Poland’s most important law is the Constitution. It guarantees freedom of speech, religion, and the right to gather. It also says people can form groups and go on strikes. Poland’s courts include the Supreme Court and other special courts. Judges are chosen by a group called the National Council of the Judiciary and are appointed for life by the president.

Main articles: Foreign relations of Poland and List of diplomatic missions of Poland

Poland works closely with many countries. It is part of the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations. Poland has strong ties with the United States, Hungary, and France.

Main article: Polish Armed Forces

Poland’s military includes land, sea, air, special forces, and defence groups. The president is the commander-in-chief during peacetime. Poland spends money on its military and is updating its forces. The country also helps keep peace around the world and has troops from the United States stationed there.

Main articles: Law enforcement in Poland, Emergency medical services in Poland, and State Fire Service

Poland has groups that keep people safe, like the State Police and the Municipal City Guard. There are also emergency medical services and fire services to help during accidents or disasters. Poland does not often have natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes, but sometimes has floods. There are also special groups that work to stop crime and keep information safe.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Poland

Poland has a social market economy and is a strong economic power in East-Central Europe. Its economy is the sixth largest in the European Union by nominal standards. About 62% of workers are in the service sector, 29% in manufacturing, and 8% in farming.

Poland is a leader in foreign direct investment in Europe and has many big companies. The country's biggest firms are part of the WIG20 and WIG30 stock market indexes on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

Poland is the 19th largest exporter of goods and services in the world. Its main exports include cars, machinery, electronics, electric batteries, and home appliances.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Poland

Tourism helps Poland and supports many jobs. Poland has many places to visit, from mountains in the south to beaches on the Baltic Sea in the north. Famous spots include Old Towns in Kraków, Warsaw, Wrocław, Gdańsk, Poznań, Lublin, Toruń and Zamość. There are also museums, zoos, theme parks, and the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Poland has over 100 castles, including the huge one in Malbork.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Poland

Poland has many ways to travel, including trains, roads, marine shipping, and air travel. Poland has a good network of highways with express roads and motorways. In cities, public transport like buses and trams is very popular. Poland has many airports, with the biggest being Warsaw Chopin Airport.

There are seaports along Poland's Baltic coast. Big ports include Świnoujście, Police, Szczecin, Kołobrzeg, Gdynia, Gdańsk and Elbląg.

Energy

Main article: Energy in Poland

Poland gets most of its electricity from coal. Coal mining is important for jobs and for making energy. Poland plans to use less coal for energy by 2030. The plan includes building new nuclear plants and making energy use more efficient.

Science and technology

Main articles: Timeline of Polish science and technology and List of Polish Nobel laureates

Poland has a long history of important discoveries in science and technology. Maria Skłodowska-Curie was the first person to win two Nobel Prizes. Nicolaus Copernicus changed how we think about the Solar System by showing that the Sun, not the Earth, is at the centre.

Polish scientists have made big contributions to mathematics. Poland was 39th in the Global Innovation Index in 2025.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Poland, List of cities and towns in Poland, Metropolitan areas in Poland, Polish people, and Polish diaspora

Poland has about 38 million people. It is the ninth-most populous country in Europe and the fifth-largest in the European Union. About 60% of people live in cities, and 40% live in the countryside. The biggest city is Warsaw, with about 1.8 million people.

In 2011, most people identified as Polish, with smaller groups like Silesian, Kashubian, and German. Some people did not specify their identity. Many Ukrainian citizens work in Poland.

According to the 2021 census, about 98.84% of people in Poland are ethnically Polish.

Languages

Main articles: Polish language, Languages of Poland, and Bilingual communes in Poland

Polish is the official language of Poland and one of the official languages of the European Union. Almost 97% of people in Poland speak Polish as their first language. There are 15 minority languages, including Kashubian.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Poland

In 2021, about 71.3% of people in Poland identified as Catholic. Around 6.9% said they had no religion, and 20.6% did not answer this question.

Poland is known for its strong Catholic traditions, influenced by Pope John Paul II. The government allows people to practice any religion freely.

Health

Main article: Health in Poland

Poland has a healthcare system that provides medical care to everyone through insurance. Both public and private healthcare options are available. The average life expectancy is about 79 years. The most common cause of death is heart disease.

Education

Main articles: Education in Poland and Universities in Poland

Poland’s first university, the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, was founded in 1364. The country has a strong education system, with primary school starting at age seven and lasting eight grades. Students can then choose between different types of secondary schools. Poland has many universities, including well-known ones in Warsaw, Wrocław, Poznań, and Gdańsk.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Poland

The culture of Poland is linked to its long history and is important to Western civilisation. Poles are proud of their identity, often shown with the colors white and red. National symbols, like the crowned white-tailed eagle, appear on clothing and signs. Important places are protected by the National Heritage Board of Poland. Over 100 key sites are listed, with 17 recognized by UNESCO.

Holidays and traditions

See also: Christmas in Poland

Poland has 14 public holidays each year, including New Year, Three Kings' Day, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Constitution Day, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, Feast of the Assumption, All Saints' Day, Independence Day, and Christmas.

Polish traditions are unique. Christmas Eve (Wigilia) is the most important day. On December 24, people decorate trees, share Christmas wafers (opłatek), and have a special supper when the first star appears. An empty plate and seat are left for a guest. Sometimes, carolers go around with a folk Turoń creature.

A treat on Fat Thursday is doughnuts. On Easter Saturday, eggs are painted and placed in baskets for blessing. Easter Monday has water fights. Families visit cemeteries on All Saints' Day.

Music and dance

Main article: Music of Poland

Frédéric Chopin was a famous composer and pianist.

Artur Rubinstein was a great pianist.

Polish classical music includes medieval liturgical tradition, regional folk tunes, and piano music. Famous artists include Frédéric Chopin, Artur Rubinstein, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Krzysztof Penderecki, Henryk Wieniawski, Karol Szymanowski, Witold Lutosławski, and Stanisław Moniuszko. Poland has a lively music scene with genres like sung poetry and disco polo. Jazz and metal are popular, and the country hosts music festivals.

Polish music dates back to the 13th century. Famous anthems may come from this time. Polish dance includes national folk dances like the polonaise, mazurka, krakowiak, kujawiak, and oberek, with instruments such as the fiddle and accordion. Since 2023, the polonaise is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Art

Main articles: Art in Poland and Young Poland

Jan Matejko, a leading history painter

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Lady with an Ermine (1490) by Leonardo da Vinci is in the Czartoryski Museum in Kraków.

Art in Poland follows European trends, focusing on folklore, Catholic themes, historicism, and realism, as well as Impressionism and romanticism. An art movement was Young Poland, which promoted decadence, symbolism, and Art Nouveau. Polish documentary art and photography are well-known. One of Poland's famous paintings is Lady with an Ermine (1490) by Leonardo da Vinci.

Well-known artists include Jan Matejko, Jacek Malczewski, Stanisław Wyspiański, Henryk Siemiradzki, Tamara de Lempicka, and Zdzisław Beksiński. Notable art schools include the Kraków Academy of Fine Arts and the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw.

Architecture

Main article: Architecture of Poland

St. Mary's Basilica on the Main Market Square in Kraków is an example of Brick Gothic architecture.

The 16th-century City Hall of Poznań shows the Renaissance style.

The architecture of Poland reflects European styles, with influences from Italy, Germany, and the Low Countries. Towns grew around central marketplaces, surrounded by streets. Poland's landscape includes churches, city tenements, and town halls. The southern mountains are known for the Zakopane chalet style.

The earliest style was Romanesque, with rare remains like circular rotundas. Brick Gothic became Poland's medieval style, seen in castles and cathedrals. The Renaissance brought Italian-style courtyards and palazzos. Decorative attics are features of Polish Mannerism.

Literature

Main articles: Polish literature and History of philosophy in Poland

Adam Mickiewicz, whose national epic poem Pan Tadeusz (1834) is a masterpiece of Polish literature

Joseph Conrad, author of Heart of Darkness and Nostromo

Poland's literature often focuses on patriotism, spirituality, and moral stories. The earliest writings, in Latin, date to the 12th century. The first Polish phrase was recorded in the Book of Henryków. The oldest manuscripts are the Holy Cross Sermons and the Bible of Queen Sophia.

Poets Jan Kochanowski and Nicholas Rey were the first Renaissance writers in Polish. Key writers included Dantiscus, Modrevius, Goslicius, and Sarbievius. In the Baroque period, Jan Andrzej Morsztyn and Jan Chryzostom Pasek wrote. During the Enlightenment, Ignacy Krasicki wrote the first Polish novel. The Three Bards were the top 19th-century poets. In the 20th century, Joseph Conrad was a great novelist.

Today's Polish literature is varied, with popular fantasy. The philosophical sci-fi novel Solaris by Stanisław Lem and The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski are loved worldwide. Poland has six Nobel-Prize winning authors.

Cuisine

Main article: Polish cuisine

Poland's cuisine is diverse, with regional styles. Popular dishes include pierogi, kielbasa, bigos, kotlet schabowy, gołąbki, barszcz, żurek, oscypek, and tomato soup. Bagels began in Poland.

Meals are hearty, with pork, potatoes, eggs, cream, mushrooms, herbs, and sauces. Polish food includes kluski, soups, grains, breads, and open sandwiches. Salads like mizeria and coleslaw are common. Desserts like sernik and makowiec are popular.

Drinks include honey mead, beer, wine, and vodka. Beer and wine are more popular today. Grodziskie is a historic beer style. Tea and coffee are also common.

Fashion and design

Further information: Category:Polish fashion

Polish creators have contributed to beauty products. Helena Rubinstein and Maksymilian Faktorowicz started a cosmetics company called Max Factor. Inglot Cosmetics is the biggest beauty company, and Reserved is a successful clothing chain.

Historically, fashion was important to Poland's identity, with poulaine shoes in the 14th century and Sarmatism in the late 17th century. Polish fashion influenced the French court, with dresses like the robe à la polonaise.

Cinema

Main article: Cinema of Poland

Poland's cinema began in 1894 with Kazimierz Prószyński creating the Pleograph and Aeroscope. In 1897, Jan Szczepanik built the Telectroscope. Poland has produced famous directors and actors, including Roman Polański, Andrzej Wajda, Pola Negri, and Agnieszka Holland.

Polish films often explore history, drama, and culture. Two Polish films won Academy Awards: The Pianist (2002) and Ida (2013).

Media

Main article: Mass media in Poland

In 2015, 78 percent of Poles watched television daily. In 2020, 79 percent read news more than once a day. Poland has major media companies like TVP, TVN, and Polsat. Public television offers special programs. In 2020, popular newspapers included tabloids and socio-political dailies.

Poland is key for video game creators, with companies like CD Projekt, Techland, and The Farm 51. Popular games include The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077. Katowice hosts Intel Extreme Masters, a big esports event.

Sports

Motorcycle speedway, volleyball, and football are popular in Poland. Track and field, basketball, handball, boxing, MMA, ski jumping, cross-country skiing, ice hockey, tennis, fencing, swimming, and weightlifting are also enjoyed. Poland's football team had its best results in the 1970s and 1980s, finishing third in the FIFA World Cup in 1974 and 1982. The team won gold in football at the 1972 Summer Olympics and silver medals in 1976 and in 1992. In 2012, Poland co-hosted the UEFA European Football Championship.

The Polish men's national volleyball team is ranked first in the world. The team won gold at the 1976 Summer Olympics and the FIVB World Championship in 1974, 2014, and 2018. Mariusz Pudzianowski is a top strongman competitor.

Poland is strong in motorcycle speedway racing. The national speedway team of Poland is among the best. Poland has three Speedway Grand Prix World Champions, with Bartosz Zmarzlik being the most successful.

Tennis has grown in popularity, with players like World No. 1 Iga Świątek, winner of five Grand Slam titles; former World No. 2 Agnieszka Radwańska; Top 10 ATP player Hubert Hurkacz; and Łukasz Kubot, winner of Grand Slam doubles titles.

Polish athletes have succeeded in mountaineering, especially in the Himalayas, climbing the highest peaks in winter. Poland's mountains attract visitors for hiking, climbing, skiing, and mountain biking. Water sports are popular in the summer, especially in the northern part of the country.