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Table of Contents
Poland is a country located in Central Europe. It is the sixth most populous state in the European Union and the 34th largest in the world. In terms of size, Poland is the 9th largest country in Europe. Polish people were once ruled by kings and queens, making their country a site of numerous castles.
See the fact file below for more information on Poland, or you can download our 26-page Poland worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
- Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a large country in Central Europe
- The native Polish name for Poland is Polska.
- The country’s official language is Polish, and the people are called Poles.
- Poland’s population is around 38 million.
Geography and People
- Poland, in Central Europe, shares borders with seven countries, namely Lithuania, Russia, Belarus, Slovakia, Ukraine, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
- The name “Poland” came from an early Slavic tribe called the Polans or Polanie. Over time, people inhabiting the region came to be known as Poles.
- Approximately 94% of Poland’s inhabitants are Polish.
- Poland covers an area of 120,726 square miles (312,696 km²) of land area.
- The country’s biggest city is Warsaw, which also serves as its capital.
- The country has a coastline of 480 ml (770 km) with beautiful beaches, sand dunes, and lagoons.
- Poland has warm summers, with a mean temperature of around 68.0 °F (20 °C) in July, and moderately cold winters with temperatures averaging 30.2 °F (−1 °C) in December.
- Generally, Poland’s terrain is flat plains with a few mountains at the southern border.
- The country’s highest point is on Mt Rysy, a mountain in the crest of the High Tatras, lying on the border between Poland and Slovakia. The height is 8,205 ft (2,501 m) above sea level.
- Among the landforms found here are the Carpathian Mountains, Sudetes Mountains, Mount Rysy, and Polish Plain.
- In addition, several bodies of water like lakes, lagoons, gulfs, and the Baltic Sea keep the country moist.
- Almost 98% of people in Poland are Roman Catholic, while the minorities are Protestants and Eastern Orthodox.
- Among the famous people from Poland are
- Pope John Paul II,
- Catherine the Great, the last Empress of Russia
- Nicolaus Copernicus, Renaissance mathematician/astronomer,
- Frederic Chopin, composer and virtuoso pianist
- Wernher von Braun, aerospace engineer, and space architect.
Historical Background
- In the 8th century C.E., Slavic tribes started to populate the region now known as Poland. After a century, Duke Mieszko I established the Piast Dynasty and governed the Polish state. At the same time, the Polish people adopted Christianity as the state religion.
- In 1025, Boleslaw I became the first king of Poland. The Piast Dynasty came to an end after the Polish-Lithuania Union was formed.
- By 1410, the Golden Age of Poland was followed by the establishment of a parliament.
- In 1596, the capital was moved from Krakow to Warsaw. By the early 1600s, a series of wars against Sweden, Russia, Tatars, and Turks put an end to Poland’s golden age.
- Weakened by wars, Poland was divided between the Prussian, Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires under the First Partition in 1772. It was not recognized as an independent nation until after WWI.
- In 1914, Poland joined Germany and Austria against Russia during WWI. The end of the Great War marked the birth of an independent Polish nation with Jozef Pilsudski as the leader of the Second Polish Republic.
- World War II began in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland from the west while the Soviets attacked from the east. Poland was then divided between Germany and the USSR. After two years, concentration camps such as Auschwitz and Treblinka were built in Poland. As part of Hitler’s holocaust, millions of Jews were executed in those camps. When the war came to an end in 1945, the German army was pushed out of Poland by the Soviets.
- Under the rule of the Soviet Union, Poland became a communist state. In the following years, protests and riots continued to grow. One of the most famous riots was by the people of Gdansk, who protested the price of bread. The riot became known as Bloody Tuesday in 1970, as 55 protesters were killed.
- By 1978, Karol Wojtyla, also known as Pope John Paul II, became the highest leader of the Catholic Church.
- Lech Walesa, leader of the Solidarity trade union, urged 10 million workers to join his cause in 1980. After a year, he was imprisoned after the imposition of martial law by the Soviet government. By 1982, Walesa had won the Nobel Peace Prize and was later elected as the President of Poland in 1990 after the establishment of the government.
- In 1992, the Soviet Union began removing its troops from Poland, and by 2004 the independent nation officially became a member of the European Union.
Politics and Government
- In 1997, the new Polish Constitution confirmed a representative democratic form of government.
- The political structure centers on the Council of Ministers led by a prime minister. The head of state is the president, who is elected by popular vote every five years. Today, Andrzej Duda is Poland’s president and Mateusz Morawiecki is the prime minister.
- A bicameral parliament with 460 members of the lower house (Sejm) and 100 Senate members (Senat) are all elected by Polish voters.
- A joint session, also known as a National Assembly, is formed on these three occasions.
- when the newly elected president takes the oath of office
- when an indictment against the president is brought through the State Tribunal
- when the president declares incapacity to fulfill required duties due to health issues.
Society and Culture
- There are 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Poland, including the Old Town in Krakow, Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines, Auschwitz Concentration Camp, Bialowieza Forest, Old Town in Warsaw, Castle of the Teutonic Order, Medieval Town of Torun, Old City of Zamosc and the Centennial Town.
- Among the popular sports in Poland are football/soccer, basketball, volleyball, fencing, weightlifting, tennis, swimming, ice hockey, skiing, and ski jumping.
- Poland is the home of 17 Nobel Prize laureates. Among them are Marie Curie (chemistry), Lech Walesa (peace), Henryk Sienkiewicz (literature), Albert Michelson (physics), Andrew Schally (medicine), Jozef Rotblat (peace), and Leonid Hurwicz (economics).
- Poles celebrate Marzanna Day by throwing a straw doll into a body of water to symbolize ending the cold and welcoming spring.
- Having once been ruled by monarchs, Poland has many castles, of which 16 are open to the public.
Flora and Fauna
- Flora and fauna in Poland are that of Continental Europe.
- Forests occupy approximately 30% of Poland’s land area, with an estimated 69% of all forests being coniferous fir, pine, and spruce.
- Common deciduous trees include maple, oak, and beech.
- The red common poppy is the unofficial floral emblem.
- The wisent (a bison slightly smaller than the related American bison), the white-tailed eagle, and the white stork are designated as national animals.
- Protected species in Poland include the European bison, the lynx, the gray wolf, and the Tatra chamois (a species of goat-antelope).
- Poland is a significant breeding ground for migratory birds. It hosts about one-quarter of the global population of white storks.
- Around 1,217 sq mi (315,100 hectares) in Poland are national parks.
Tourism
- After joining the European Union in 2004, Poland experienced a significant increase in the number of tourists.
- Tourism contributes considerably to the economy and makes up a relatively large proportion of the country’s service market.
- With the sandy beaches in the north and mountains in the south, it offers tourists adventures in skiing and sailing, hiking and mountain climbing, and much more.
Cuisine
- Traditional Polish cuisine includes Polish Dumplings (Pierogi), Hunter’s Stew (Bigos), Cabbage Rolls (Gołąbki), Potato Pancakes (Placki Ziemniaczane)
- A typical Polish dish made of meat, sausage, sauerkraut, prunes, cabbage, mushrooms, and spices is called bigos.
- For more than 500 years, Poland has been known for producing high-quality vodka.
- Other alcoholic drinks include honey, mead, wine, and beer.
- Tea and coffee are consumed widely.
- The oldest restaurant in Europe is Piwnica Swidnicka, which opened in 1275 and is located in Poland in the medieval cellars of the Old Town Hall in Wrocław.
Did You Know Facts
- Poland’s national symbol is the white eagle.
- Poland’s flag consists of two horizontal stripes, one white and one red.
- More important than a Polish birthday is the celebration of imieniny or Name Day.
- On the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, Poles consume millions of Polish donuts called paczki.
Poland Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Poland across 26 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Poland worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Poland, which is a country located in Central Europe. It is the sixth most populous state in the European Union and the 34th largest in the world. In terms of size, Poland is the 9th largest country in Europe. Polish people were once ruled by kings and queens, making their country a site of numerous castles.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Poland Facts
- Mapping Poland
- Poland in World Wars
- Blast from the Past
- All Polish
- Famous Poles
- A Place to Visit
- Capital Facts: Warsaw
- City of Poles
- Jedzmy!
- Visit Poland
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Poland’s currency?
Poland’s national currency is zloty and groszy. One zloty equals 100 groszy.
What is Poland’s flag?
The national flag of Poland consists of two horizontal stripes of equal width. The upper stripe is white, and the lower one red. It was adopted in 1919.
Is Poland a fun place to visit?
Poland is an excellent place to vacation. It offers a wide variety of things to do, from skiing down mountains to lazing on beaches. It also has a rich history and impressive natural beauty.
What is Polish vodka made of?
Polish vodka is made from either potatoes or grains (wheat, oats, rye, or barley). The ingredients have to be grown in Poland and the mash distilled in Poland for the product to be called “Polish Vodka”.
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Link will appear as Poland Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, August 7, 2018
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.