National Tourist Information Poland

National Tourist Information Poland

Traveladvisor in Poland: Are you going on a vacation you can get lots of free and professional help, traveladvice and information from the National Tourism Organisation. Discover the country and the cities getting the most out of your vacation with the professional help from the people who knows their country and their culture the best.

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Poland is a rather large country in central Europe, bordered by Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east and by the Baltic Sea, Lithuania and a Russian enclave to the north.

Poland has a large population of almost 40 million people, making it the largest ex-communist country. The landscape of Poland is varied and characterized by the disposition in steps, from the mountainous south, to the hilly lowlands in the centre and north and the coastline of the Baltic Sea in the north. Despite of the massive destruction occurred during World War II, Poland has managed to preserve most of its cultural heritage, including some treasures that could rival the best destinations in the world.

Poland features a rich and inciting cultural heritage, starting with several exceptional sights that have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, offering great opportunities for discovery. These sights include: Cracow Historic Centre, Wieliczka Salt Mine, Auschwitz Concentration Camp, Belovezhskaya Pushcha/Bialowieza Forest, Historic Centre of Warsaw, Old City of Zamosc, Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, Medieval Town of Torun, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Churches of Peace in Jawor and Swidnica, Wooden Churches in Southern Little Poland, Muskauer Park and Centennial Hall in Wroclaw. These extraordinary landmarks are truly the best things that Poland has to offer in terms of cultural heritage.

There are surely many other things to see and do in Poland, beginning with the magnificent cities and towns. The capital of the country is Warsaw and while there are many things to do and see in this city, the historic and cultural capital of the country is Krakow, with a fascinating cultural heritage, including a captivating city centre and the Wawel Castle, as well as a quarter of the museums in the country. Other beautiful and attractive cities and towns are Wroclaw, Lodz, Gdansk and others. Apart from these big cities, there are exceptional small towns with a unique character and look, a rich cultural and architectural heritage.

Some of the best and most fascinating natural landscapes can be found in Poland, from the high mountains in the south, to the green lowlands in the centre and north. Some of the wildest and most beautiful forests in Europe can still be found in Poland. This is the case of the Puszcza Bialowieska, the last natural lowland forest on the continent, designated as a Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO site. There are 23 national parks in Poland, each one featuring a different kind of landscape and wild species. A special mention should be made about the mountains in the south of the country, with excellent hiking trails. Another important natural area is the coast of the Baltic Sea, with some beautiful and still wild landscapes.

More information and facts about Poland

Poland has a unique history in Europe, often pulled between Russian and Western interests. It you are planning a trip to Poland, here is some background information your should know.

The official name of the country is the Republic of Poland. It covers an area of roughly 120,000 square miles, about the same size as the State of New Mexico in the United States. The capital of the country is Warsaw, which is also the biggest city by population with nearly 1.7 million residents calling it home. Other cities of significance include Lodz with a population of just fewer than 800,000, Krakow with 760,000 residents and Gdansk with 460,000 people. The terrain of Poland is primarily flat although mountains can be found in the region along the southern border of the country.

Citizens of the Republic of Poland are known as Polish. The most recent census found there 36.8 million people living in the country, though some are undocumented aliens. The annual growth rate for the population is stagnant, neither growing nor declining sufficiently to be considered to be changing from a statistical point of view. Unlike many European countries, Poland is primarily populated by its own people with Polish people making up 98 percent of the ethnicity. A smattering of German, Ukrainian, Belorussian and Lithuanian people also live in the country.

Poland is a predominantly uniform religious country. Over 90 percent of Poles subscribe to the Roman Catholic faith. Followers of Eastern Orthodox, Uniate, Protestant and Judaism can also be found.

The literacy rate in Poland is over 98 percent, on par with rates throughout much of Europe. The official language is Polish, which is also the dominant language actually used by the citizens of Poland. Life expectancy for Polish men is 70 years of age, while women life an extra nine years on average, a marked difference.

Poland is often overshadowed by Hungary and Czech as a travel destination in the former bloc countries of the Soviet Union. This gives you an opportunity to experience it before the fast food joints of the west start taking over the quaint country.