Poland

966 (April 14, Thursday): Baptism of Poland; Poland adopts Christianity under Duke Mieszko I

1025 (April 18, Thursday): Bolesław I Chrobry crowned as the first King of Poland

1569 (March 1, Monday): Union of Lublin establishes the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

1795 (October 24, Monday): Third Partition of Poland; Poland ceases to exist as an independent state

1918 (November 11, Monday): Poland regains independence after World War I

1939 (September 1, Friday): Germany invades Poland, marking the start of World War II

1945 (May 8, Tuesday): End of World War II; Poland becomes a Soviet satellite state

1980 (August 31, Sunday): Solidarity movement begins in Gdańsk, leading to the fall of communism

1989 (June 4, Sunday): First partially free elections held, beginning the transition to democracy

1999 (March 12, Friday): Poland joins NATO

2004 (May 1, Saturday): Poland joins the European Union

2010 (April 10, Saturday): Smolensk Air Disaster: Polish President Lech Kaczyński dies in a plane crash in Russia

2019 (October 13, Sunday): Poland holds parliamentary elections, with Law and Justice Party (PiS) gaining control

2020 (March 20, Friday): COVID-19 Pandemic: Poland enters lockdown to curb the spread of the virus

2022 (March 25, Friday): Poland faces massive refugee influx from Ukraine due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Continent: Europe
Location: Central Europe, bordered by Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany, and the Baltic Sea
Capital: Warsaw
Language: Polish (official)
Currency: Polish złoty (PLN)
Population: ~38 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET) / Central European Summer Time (CEST)

Borders: Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany, Baltic Sea
Landscape: Varied terrain with mountains, plains, lakes, and a long Baltic Sea coastline
Major Rivers: Vistula River, Oder River, Warta River, Bug River
Major Mountains: Carpathian Mountains, Sudetes, Tatra Mountains (Tatra’s highest point: Rysy, 2,499 m / 8,199 ft)
Deserts: Błędów Desert (small area in southern Poland)
Lakes: Masurian Lake District, Lake Śniardwy (largest lake in Poland)
Volcanoes: None
Highest Point: Rysy (2,499 m / 8,199 ft)
Lowest Point: Żuławy Wiślane (1.8 m below sea level)
Climate: Temperate climate with cold winters and mild summers
Geological Features: Large central plains, the Tatra Mountains (formed by tectonic activity), and glacial valleys in the north

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Polish, with minorities of Germans, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and others
Religion: Roman Catholic (approximately 87%), Protestant (approximately 10%), other (approximately 3%)
Urban Population: ~60% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~15% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Rich cultural heritage, classical music, historical sites, and folk traditions
Cuisine: Pierogi, kielbasa, bigos, żurek, Polish vodka
Arts: Classical music (Chopin, Penderecki), visual arts (Jan Matejko), literature (Adam Mickiewicz)
Sports: Football, volleyball, basketball, ski jumping, and handball

Economy Type: High-income, advanced mixed economy
GDP: Approx. $750 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Manufacturing (machinery, electronics), mining, agriculture (grain, potatoes, dairy), and services
Key Exports: Machinery, electrical equipment, vehicles, furniture, food products
Unemployment Rate: ~5.1% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Highly industrialized regions in the west, agricultural and forested areas in the east

Government Type: Unitary parliamentary republic
Head of State: President Andrzej Duda (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (Sejm and Senate)
Constitution: In effect since 1997

Warsaw: Historic Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage), Wilanów Palace, Royal Łazienki Park
Kraków: Wawel Castle, Main Market Square, Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
Gdańsk: Old Town, Solidarity Monument, Maritime Museum
Zakopane: Popular mountain resort town, Tatra National Park
Białowieża Forest: UNESCO World Heritage site, home to European bison
Masurian Lakes: Famous for water sports, beautiful landscapes, and nature reserves