Central Europe, east of Germany
Lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie
-2 m
Highest point: Rysy 2,499 m
Capital: Warsaw
Largest City: Warsaw
Religion: Roman Catholic 89.8%
(about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%,
unspecified 8.3%
Languages Spoken: Polish 97.8%,
other and unspecified 2.2%
See also: Languages
spoken in Europe, Languages of
the world
Information & Brief History
Poland is an ancient nation that
was conceived near the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred
in the 16th century. During the following century, the strengthening of
the gentry and internal disorders weakened the nation. In a series of agreements
between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland
amongst themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be
overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet
satellite state following the war, but its government was comparatively
tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of
the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political
force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency.
A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to
transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but
Poland currently suffers low GDP growth and high unemployment. Solidarity
suffered a major defeat in the 2001 parliamentary elections when it failed
to elect a single deputy to the lower house of Parliament, and the new
leaders of the Solidarity Trade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the
Trade Union's political role. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European
Union in 2004.
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Poland
