|
2.
General
information about Poland
 |
|
 |
|
Rzeczpospolita
Polska
The Republic of 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 (in
USA larger than New Mexico) and with a population of
approximately 39 millions (e.g. more than California) it ranks
among the most influential and remarkable countries in central
and Eastern Europe.
Poland is a stable democracy with a truly fascinating history,
great cultural heritage and several areas of outstanding
natural beauty.
Language - Official language is Polish. English and
German are widely spoken in hotels and the tourist industry.
Currency - the official monetary unit is Polish Zloty (PLN)
= 100 Groszy (1 EUR = aprox. 4 PLN). Time - Poland is on Central European Time (GMT plus 1
hour) Daylight saving system is adopted from April till
September. Area - 312 683 km2.
Population - 38 609 000 p. Density/sq km: 124. Capital:
Warszawa (Warsaw) 1.65 Mil. Administrative division: 16
provinces (wojewodztwa). President: Lech Kaczyński
(since 2005). Prime Minister: Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz. Parliament:
the Sejm 460 deputies, the Senate 100 deputies (four-year
term). 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. Inflation: 4%. Average
monthly salary/month: 600 USD. Unemployment: 17%. 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, Góry Świętokrzyskie.
Rivers: the Vistula (Wisla) 1,047 km, the Odra, the
Bug, the Warta. Lakes: Sniardwy (Mazury)113,8 sq km. 23
National Parks. Weather - weather conditions are generally similar to
those in Central with less humidity in the summer. An average
July temperature is 19 degrees. Centigrade though heats up to
30 degrees all rare. Autumn is usually mild, winters can be
cold with snowfalls and temperatures a few degrees below zero.
Public Holidays - all Sundays and most Saturdays are
not working days.
National Holidays: Jan 01, Easter Sunday and Monday
(variable dates), May 01, May 03, Corpus Ct (variable dates),
Aug 15, Nov 01, Nov 11, Dec 25, Dec 26. See:
http://www.poland.pl
|
