GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT POLAND
Poland is the largest of the East European countries which joined the EU in May 2004. Poland is comparable in size to Italy or Germany and with a population of approximately 39 million it ranks among the most influential and remarkable countries in central and Eastern Europe.
POLAND IN NUMBERS
Area |
312 685 km2 |
Population |
38.7 Mil. |
Density/sq km |
124 (km2) |
Capital |
Warszawa (Warsaw) 1.65 Mil. |
Administrative division |
16 provinces (wojewodztwa) |
President |
Lech Kaczynski |
Prime Minister |
Donald Tusk |
Parliament |
the Sejm 460 deputies, the Senate 100 deputies (four-year term) |
Currency |
1 Zloty (PLN) = 100 Groszy (1 EUR = aprox. 3.4 PLN) |
Time |
GMT+1h |
Religion |
Catholics 90.7 %, Orthodox 1.4%, others 7.9% |
Nationalities |
Poles 98.5 %, Ukrainians 0.6%, Germans 0.5, others 0.4% |
Life expectancy |
68 years men, 77 years women |
Average monthly salary |
1000 USD |
Urbanization |
65% |
Literacy |
99% |
Tourism |
14 million tourists visit Poland every year, Poland ranks 14th in the world as a tourist destination |
Border countries |
Germany (467 km), Czech Republic (790 km), Slovakia (538 km), Ukraine (529 km), Belarus (416 km), Russia (210 km), Lithuania (103 km), Baltic coastline (788 km) |
Surface |
Poland consists mostly of lowlands, the lowest point - the village of Racki Elblaskie 1.8 meters below the sea level |
Mountains |
On the Southern border, High Tatra (highest peak Rysy 2,499 m), Bieszczady, Beskid, Karkonosze, Gory Stolowe |
Rivers |
the Vistula (Wisla) 1,047 km, the Odra, the Bug, the Warta |
Lakes |
Sniardwy (Mazury)113,8 km |