Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country located in Central Europe. It is bordered by Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast (a Russian exclave) to the north. The capital and largest city is Warsaw.
Expat destinations in Poland
Demographics of Poland:
Ethnic groups
Polish (97%), Belarusian, Ukrainian, German, Jewish, Czech, Olasz, and Russian
Languages
Polish (96.7%), Ukrainian, Belarusian, German, Jewish, Czech, Olasz, and Russian
Religion Overview
Poland is a predominantly Roman Catholic country, with 87% of the population identifying as Catholic.
Major Religions
Climate
Poland has a temperate climate, with four distinct seasons. The summers are warm and sunny, while the winters are cold and occasionally snowy.
Economy Overview
Poland is a developing economy and member of the European Union. Its key industries include machine building, steel production, food processing, textiles, and mining.
Key Industries
- Machine building
- Steel production
- Food processing
- Textiles
- Mining
Major Companies
- BG Group
- PKN Orlen
- PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna
Culture and Language Overview
Polish culture is a blend of traditional and modern elements. Its cuisine includes pierogi (dumplings), bigos (a stew made with sauerkraut and meat), and kielbasa (sausages). Its music includes traditional folk songs and contemporary hits. Its festivals include St. John's Day (in June) and All Saints' Day (in November).
Cultural Highlights
- St. John's Day (June)
- All Saints' Day (November)
- The Main Market Square in Kraków
- Malbork Castle
- Wieliczka Salt Mine
- Tatra Mountains National Park
Geography and Landmarks Overview
Poland is a geographically diverse country, with forests, mountains, lakes, and coastal areas. Its most famous landmarks include Royal Castle of Warsaw, Wawel Castle in Kraków, Malbork Castle, Bialowieza Forest, and Tyskie Brewery.
Notable Landmarks
- Royal Castle of Warsaw
- Wawel Castle in Kraków
- Malbork Castle
- Bialowieza Forest
- Tyskie Brewery
- Zakrzówe Lake in Kraków
- Toruń Old Town
- Wieliczka Salt Mine
- Tatra Mountains National Park
- Baltic Sea Coastline
National Holidays
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Epiphany (January 6)
- Good Friday
- Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday
- Labour Day (May 1)
- Corpus Christi (June)
- St. John's Day (June 23/24)
- All Saints' Day (November 1)
- Independence Day (November 11)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- Boxing Day (December 26)
Political Stability
Poland is a stable democracy and a member of NATO and the European Union. It has a complex political system, which includes a president, a prime minister, a parliament, and a constitutional court.
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