Poland

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POLAND

Poland is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast to the north.

The total area of Poland is 312,685 square kilometres making in the 69th largest country in the world and the 9th largest in Europe.

The capital city of Poland Warsaw and official language is Polish.

History of Poland

Poland's history is full of facts and events far more interesting than any novelist could come up with. The area of modern Poland has been shaped through centuries, ranging from a vast empire to a territory with no statehood at all, and the culture Poland represents is a blend of both East and West.

Poland's written history begins with the reign of Mieszko I., who accepted Christianity for himself and his kingdom in AD966.  Duke Mieszko and his son, the first king Boleslaw Chrobry from the Piast dynasty, kept on uniting Slav tribes by conquer, trade or marriage.

Following centuries were turmoil of civil wars, pagan rebellions and military conflicts with neighbouring countries, yet Poland managed to develop commerce and achieve relative social stabilization. In 1385 Poland made a pact with Lithuania that lasted for two hundred years.

16th century in Poland was a period of might and prosperity, called 'the Golden Age'. Polish statesmen and scientists, such as Copernicus, were widely known in Europe; universities and commerce flourished. Poland was a safe haven for people of different denominations from all corners of Europe during the Reformation, as religious freedom was guaranteed by him.

Until the end of the 18th century Poland has gone through many wars, which lead that Poland was partitioned by Russia, Prussia and Austria and lost its statehood for 125 years.

Poland reappeared in 1918, after World War I. Poland tried to unite and modernize parts of the country, but it was destroyed in 1939 by the nightmare of World War II. 1945 brought communist domination over Poland until 1989, when government was forced to enable first free election and Poland became a sovereign republic.

Geography of Poland

Poland is and unbroken plain reaching from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Carpathian Mountains in the south. The Baltic coast lacks natural harbours except for the Gdansk-Gdynia region and Szczecin in the far northwest. Poland is located in Central Europe, east of Germany.

Geographic coordinates are 52 00 N, 20 00 E. Total area of this country is in total 312,685 sq km which is shared between land - 304,465 sq km - and water - 8,222 sq km. To compare, Poland is slightly smaller than New Mexico.

Poland has boundaries with 7 countries: Belarus 407 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia 206 km, Slovakia 444 km and Ukraine 526. Coastline of this country is 491 km.

Climate in winter is temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation. Summers are mild with frequent showers and thundershowers.

The highest point is Rysy 2,499 m. The lowest point is Raczki Elblaskie -2m.

WROCLAW

 

     is the main city in south-western Poland, situated on the River Oder. Wroclaw is the former capital of Silesia and today, capital of Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Over the centuries, the city has been either part of Poland, Bohemia, Austria, Prussia or Germany. Accoring to official population figures in 2009, it's population is 632,240, making it the fourth largest city in Poland.

COPERNICUS AIRPORT WROCLAW

     is an international commercial airport in Wroclaw in southwestern Poland. The airport is located 10km southwest of the city centre. It has one runway, one passenger terminal and one cargo terminal.

WARSAW CHOPIN AIRPORT

     is an international airport located in the Wlochy district of Warsaw, Poland. Formerly Okecie International Airport, it is named after the famous Polish composer and former Warsaw resident, Frederic Chopin. It is Poland's busiest airport, handling just under 50% of the country's air passenger traffic.

LOT, polish airlines

     is the flag carrier of Poland. Based in Warsaw, LOT was established in 1929, making it on of the world's oldest airlines still in operation. Using a fleet of 55 aircraft, LOT operates a complex network to 60 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia. Most of the destinations are served from its hub, Warsaw Chopin Airport. 1989 marked the beginning of the airline's quick development. LOT started retiring their old Soviet aircraft,and began their fleet renewal. With the arrival of the first Boeing 767-200ER, LOT ceased to serve their inter-continental destinations to Chicago, Newark, and New York City with the llyushin 11-62M aircraft.