Poland

Poland ( Polish : Polska), officially the Republic of Poland (Polish: Rzeczpospolita Polska), is a country in Central Europe . In the west it is bordered by Germany ( Oder-Neisse line ), to the south by the Czech Republic and Slovakia, to the east by Lithuania , Belarus and Ukraine , and in the north by the Baltic Sea and the Russian exclaveof Kaliningrad .

Most historians place the establishment of a Polish state in 966, when Mieszko I, ruler of a territory which more or less corresponds to the present-day Poland, converted to Christianity . In 1025 it became Kingdom of Poland (1025-1385) founded in 1569 and created Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with the Union of Lublin to thePolish-Lithuanian Commonwealth . This union lasted until 1795, when the Polish territory was divided between Russia, the Habsburg Monarchy and Prussia .

Poland regained its independence in 1918 in the form of the Second Polish Republic . In 1939, World War II began with the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union . More than 6 million Polish citizens perished in the war. Poland was a satellite state of the Soviet Union in 1944 and in 1952 was named People's Republic of Poland . In the years 1980-1989 was massive protests led by Lech Walesa of the union Solidarność the fall of communism opened. The Third Republic was born and a new constitution was adopted which Poland became a democracy. Poland after the revolution quickly joined the European Union and is seen as a model country in many ways. Thus, Poland is the only country in the European Union despite the credit crisis ended not in a recession.

Poland has an area of 311 888 square kilometers and a population of 38.512 million (2011). The capital and largest city of the country is Warsaw . Politically, Poland is aparliamentary republic and a unitary state, divided into 16 administrative regions . Poland is a member of many international organizations including the European Union, the United Nations , the NATO , the WTO and the OECD .

Despite the great devastation of the Second World War, a large part of the Polish cultural heritage is preserved. There are currently 14 Polish heritage sites on theUNESCO World Heritage List .



Contents
[ hide ]  *1 History  ==History [  edit ] == Poland's history dates back to 966 AD, when prince Mieszko I converted to Christianity and the various Slavic tribes on the plain between the rivers Oder and Vistulaunited. His son Bolesław the Brave was crowned first king and strengthened the position of the young state in Central Europe . Poland The word is derived from the Polish word Pole, which means field or plain. The word Polska however, which means in Polish Poland, is derived from the words pola and lasy, meaning fields and forests.
 * 2 Geography
 * 2.1 Physical characteristics
 * 2.2 Climate
 * 3 Population
 * 3.1 Language
 * 3.2 Religion
 * 4 Culture
 * 4.1 Traditions and folklore
 * 4.2 Music
 * 4.3 Literature
 * 4.4 Architecture
 * 4.5 Sights
 * 4.6 Kitchen
 * 4.7 Drinks
 * 5 Politics
 * 5.1 Polity
 * 5.2 Administrative divisions
 * 5.3 Political parties
 * 5.3.1 Current
 * 5.3.1.1 Parliamentary represented
 * 5.3.1.2 Non parliamentary represented
 * 5.3.2 Past
 * 6 Economics
 * 7 Traffic and transport
 * 8 Media
 * 8.1 Television
 * 8.1.1 Audience
 * 8.1.2 Private
 * 9 Famous Poles or people of Polish descent
 * 10 See also
 * 11 External links

Casimir the GreatUnder King Casimir the Great (reigned 1333 to 1370) modernized Poland; the University of Cracow (1364) was formed, the economy grew strongly and the country was expanded eastward. In 1386 Poland and were Lithuania in personal union joined in a commonwealth under the rule of Władysław II Jagiełło, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania (1386-1444). The Polish-Lithuanian empire between 1386 and 1572 in area the largest empire in Europe, stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea, with the current Belarus and much of the current Ukraine within its borders. In 1569, the two states were more closely related to each other in thePolish-Lithuanian Commonwealth . Poland was in 1791 the first written constitution in Europe. The reform process stopped with the divisions of Poland between Russia, Austria and Prussia (1772, 1792 and 1795, see: Polish A division ). During the Napoleonic Wars created Duchy of Warsaw was annexed by the Russian tsars.

Between 1795 and 1918 there were two major revolts with the aim of restoring a sovereign Poland. Both revolts in 1830 and 1863 failed with greater repression of the oppressors as a result. Poland, however, prospered from the (mostly illegal) cultural life, which would be important in maintaining the Polish struggle for independence. In 1915 by Austria-Hungary and the German Empire founded the Regency Poland in the former Congress Poland, but old Polish areas like the province of Posen (Poznan, Wielkopolska) were not part of this.

Elevation map of Poland in 1938/1939After the First World War, it established a new larger Poland in 1918, that its independence from the Soviet Union successfully defended during the Polish-Soviet War of 1919-1921. At the start of the Second World War the country was divided between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union . After World War II, with 20% of the population had been killed and the country was badly hit, both the eastern border when the western border shifted to the west: it was vast areas of the vanquished Germany (area in 1931, southern East Prussia ,Pomerania , Lower Silesia , Upper Silesia , Danzig , Neumark / East Brandenburg ), but lost the other more eastern areas (Kresy) to theSoviet Union (Lithuanian, Ukrainian and Byelorussian Soviet Republics). This had enormous consequences for Poland: in the former German territories had lived before the war 9.2 million Germans; they were expelled, deported and sometimes killed by the authorities of the Polish People's Republic, assisted by the Soviet army . On the other hand, nearly one million Polish citizens were the areas which were now abandoned in Belarus and Ukraine; Poland's eastern territories were lost but already mostly inhabited largely Belarusian or Ukrainian.

In 1980, the labor unrest arose in Gdansk under Lech Walesa and the trade union Solidarity . In August 1989 it won the elections, the first free elections behind the Iron Curtain. Then followed the collapse of all communist regimes in other Central and Eastern European countries, with the symbolic culmination of the fall of the Berlin Wall . In 1999 joined Poland joined the NATO, since May 1, 2004 the country is member of the European Union . ==<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[Geography  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == Satellite image of Poland where the largest cities are shownA bison in the Białowieża Forest===Physical characteristics <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Poland has an area of ​​311 888 square kilometers. The entire perimeter of the Polish borders is 3014 km, a coastline of 524 km.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">The largest rivers of the country are the Vistula (also known as Vistula; 1047 km) and the Oder (Polish: Odra). The Śniardwy, 13.8 square kilometers, in the Mazury , is the largest lake. In the Tatra Mountains (part of the Carpathians ), the highest point, the Rysy (2499 m). To the east is the largest remnant of the European primeval forest, the virgin forest of Bialowieza

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Warsaw (Warszawa) is the capital and largest city of Poland with approximately 1.7 million inhabitants. Other major cities are Kraków (Cracow), Lodz , Wroclaw , Poznan andGdansk . ===<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[Climate  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Poland's climate is a transition from a temperate climate in the north and west of the country to a dry continental climate in the south and east. The rainfall is in the Carpathians and the Sudeten more than 800 mm per year; on the plateaus and plains more 600 to 800 mm per year and in Central Poland 450 mm. In September and October, the fresher and the chance of rain, but the number of sunny days is still quite large. November and December have a lot of fog and rain.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Winters last from approximately mid-December to April and by the east winds in the east and south very strict with lots of snowfall. Rivers and lakes in these regions then largely frozen. In the mountains, temperatures around 130 days per year is not above freezing out.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">In the long, hot summer, the temperature rises above 25 ° C; in the winter the mercury drops below 0 ° C. The average July temperature is 17 ° C on the Baltic to 20 ° C in the southeast; the Average January temperature varies regionally from -1 ° C to -6 ° C. ==Population <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Poland has 38.512 million (2011) people. The country in 2008 had a birth rate of 10.01 and a mortality rate of 9.99. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5] ===Language <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">The official language is Polish . In the census of 2002, 36.9837 million Poles registered, or 96.74% of the population. The main minorities of the remaining 471 500 (1.23%) are the Silesians (173 200) and theGermans (152 900). The census gave 774 900 people (2.03%) no nationality.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">In Silesia is the largest part of a significant German minority, a smaller part in Pomerania and Warmia . Further minorities are the Kashubians near Gdansk, as well as small groups of Ukrainians , Lithuanians ,Belarusians and Ruthenians ( Lemko ). The Russian , German and English are the most widely spoken as a second language. English, which for several years as a second language is taught at school, more youth, Russian and German, among the elderly, even though the latter language by some Poles sensitive. The Russian's years as a second language taught in schools and is also the language kinship still spoken by many Poles. ===<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[Religion  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === Mary Basilica Licheń. <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">In 2002, 89.8% Catholic, 1.3% were Polish Orthodox (especially a Belarusian minority in Podlasie ), 0.3% Protestant , and 8.3% had no religion declared. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-people_1-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[1] The number of Jews - in 1939, 10% of the population - in 2002, only 8,000 of the total Polish population is approximately 56.7% to a Catholic church on a Sunday, <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6] much more than in other European countries and in the EU state Poland in the first place. Poland is one of the most religious countries in Europe.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">The Saints Casimir , Stanislaus (Kraków) , Wojciech (Adalbert) , Stanislaus Kostka , Andrew Bobola , Hyacinthus and Cunegonde are the patron saints of Poland.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Pope John Paul II was a Pole and Poland for many a symbol of their country. He has so far been the only Slavic pope and the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He is seen by many as one of the causes of the collapse of communism in Poland, and in a broader context in Central and Eastern Europe. A year after becoming Pope, he spoke in his native Poland, his countrymen and told them that they have to be afraid. His words penetrated many Polish souls: "Let the Holy Spirit come down and let him change the image of the country ... this country." John Paul II is an important figure in Polish society and his death in 2005 led to unprecedented scenes of grief and sorrow throughout the country.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Important pilgrimage sites in Poland the monastery on Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, the home of John Paul II in Wadowice and Mary Basilica Licheń . ==Culture <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">The culture of Poland is closely connected with its intricate 1000 years of history. The uniqueness of the culture arose as a result of the geography of Poland and by the confluence of European cultures. With origins in the culture of the Proto-Slavs became, over time Polish culture and strongly influenced by interweaving ties with the Germanic , Latin and Byzantine world as well as in an ongoing dialogue with the many other ethnic groups and minorities in Poland. The people of Poland are traditionally seen as hospitable to artists from abroad and benevolent when it comes to follow cultural and artistic trends popular in other countries. In the 19th and 20th centuries the focus in Poland had previously focused on the cultural development over political and economic activities. These factors contributed to the versatile nature of Polish art, with all its complex nuances. ===Traditions and folklore <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === Łyse easter palmsLajkonik in Krakow<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">All major Polish festivals have a connection with the Christian traditions. Polish celebrations stems not only from the Christian rituals, but also the usual and resistant elements of pagan ceremonies. This blend caused the pagan traditions have intertwined themselves with the Christian traditions and gave it a new meaning and dimension. ===<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[Music  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Artists from Poland, including the famous composers like Chopin or Penderecki and traditional and regional scale occurring folk musicians, creating a vibrant and diverse music scene, which also has its own music genres like Poezja śpiewana and disco polo . Since 2006, Poland is one of the few countries in Europe where rock and hip hopdominate over pop music . ===<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[References  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">The Polish literature has a long and complicated history. During the Middle Ages wrote most Polish authors and academics ( Jan Długosz ) only in Latin, that when the "academic" language of Europe was the Europe league. Jan Kochanowski broke this trend and was the first author who in most of his works Polish language wrote. A number of Polish writers have gained great notoriety in recent centuries, but this is largely due to the initial success of the works of Adam Mickiewicz, who wrote the first Polish epicPan Tadeusz in 1834. Influential authors of the late 19th and 20th centuries include Henryk Sienkiewicz , Władysław Reymont , Witold Gombrowicz and Czesław Miłosz . To date four Polish authors the Nobel Prize for Literature won, with Władysław Reymont as one of only nine writers who have received the prestigious award for just one particular, outstanding literary work Chłopi (farmers) from 1924, instead of for their entire career. <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Regarding poetry Poland has a long and venerable history of world poets. The most important are the 'three bards' (trzej wieszcze), Mickiewicz , Krasiński and Słowacki, the three national poets of Polish Romantic literature. Incidentally, the Polish word Wieszcz prophet or soothsayer, an appropriate term for the three, since it was thought that they were not only the voice of the Polish national sentiment but also could predict the future.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Today the traditions of Polish literature and poetry will be continued by a new generation of writers. To this group belong among other Wisława Szymborska, a best-selling author and recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1996, died in 2012. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Szymborska.27s_.27View.27:_Small_Truths_Sharply_Etched_7-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[7] ===<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[Architecture  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === St. Mary's Church on the Market Square in Krakow<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Polish cities and towns reflect the whole spectrum of European styles. The Romanesque architecture is represented by the Andrew's Church in Krakow. Characteristic of the Polish brick Gothic is the Maria Church in Gdansk. Richly decorated attics and arcade loggias 's are common elements of the Polish Renaissance architecture. This can be seen for example in the town hall in Poznan . For some time was the late Renaissance, the so-called mannerism, particularly visible in the episcopal palace in Kielce, in addition to the early Baroque, as seen in the church of SS. Peter and Paul in Cracow.

Renaissance town hall inPoznan<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">History has not been kind to the architectural monuments of Poland. Nevertheless, some old structures survived: castles, churches and stately buildings, often unique in the regional or European context. Some of them have been carefully restored, such as the Wawel -kasteel, or completely reconstructed after being destroyed in the Second World War, including the historic center and the Royal Palace in Warsaw and the Old Town of Gdansk . The architecture of Gdansk is largely that of a Hanseatic town, a gothic style common among the ancient trading cities along the Baltic Sea and in the northern part of Central Europe. The architectural style of Wroclaw is primarily a German architecture as it stood centuries in the German states. The center of Kazimierz Dolny on the Vistula is a good example of a well-preserved medieval town. The ancient capital of Poland, Krakow is one of the best preserved Gothic and Renaissance urban complexes in Europe.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Meanwhile, the legacy played Kresy the eastern regions of Poland where Wilno and Lwów (now Vilnius and Lviv) were recognized as the two major centers for the arts, a special role in the development of Polish architecture, with catholic church architecture which deserves special attention. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-MFA_8-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[8] In Vilnius ( Lithuania ), there are about 40 baroque and Renaissance churches. In Lviv ( Ukraine ), there are also a number of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque religious buildings that are derived from and influenced by Eastern Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic church architecture.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">The second half of the 17th century is characterized by baroque architecture. Side towers, visible in the Branicki Palace in Białystok are typical of the Polish Baroque. The classicSilesian baroque is represented by the University of Wroclaw . The abundant decorations of Branicki Palace in Warsaw typical of rococo style. The center of Polish classicism was Warsaw under the rule of the last Polish king Stanislaw August Poniatowski . The łazienki palace is the most striking example of the Polish neo-classical architecture . The Lublin Castlerepresents the Gothic Revival style in architecture, while the Izrael Poznański Palace in Łódź is an example of eclecticism . ===<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[Sights  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">World Heritage List # Poland Gdańsk*Historic center of Krakow ===<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[Kitchen  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">The Polish cuisine is influenced by the cuisines of the surrounding countries. For centuries the Polish kitchen a competitor of the French and Italian cuisines. He is rich in meat, especially pork, chicken and beef, winter vegetables ( bigos ), and spices. Pasta is also found in many Polish dishes, the most prominent being the pierogi . The Polish national cuisine shares some similarities with other European traditions. In general, the Polish kitchen is referred to as solid. The preparation of the traditional cuisine is generally time consuming and Poland also use a generous amount of time to prepare themselves and to enjoy their festive meals, some meals (such as Christmas Eve or Easter breakfast) several days takes into as a whole to prepare. It is worth noting that most regions of Poland have their own local gastronomic traditions and distinctive flavors.
 * Wieliczka salt mine and Bochnia Salt Mine
 * Nazi Germany's concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau 1940-1945
 * Białowieża Forest
 * Historic center Stare Miasto of Warsaw
 * Old town Zamość
 * Medieval city of Torun
 * Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, the largest castle in the world in terms of area
 * The Manneristisch architectural and park landscape complex and pilgrimage park Kalwaria Zebrzydowska
 * Peace Churches in Jawor and Świdnica
 * Wooden Churches of southern Małopolska
 * Park Muzakowski (partly in Germany )
 * Jahrhunderthalle (Polish: Hala Stulecia) in Wrocław
 * Wooden tserkvas of Carpathian region in Poland and Ukraine

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Notable Polish dishes include soups rosół , barszcz , chłodnik , żurek , krupnik , Kapuśniak , zupa pomidorowa , zupa ogórkowa , zupa grzybowa , flaczki (tripe soup) and other dishes such as pierogi , kiełbasa ,Golabki , oscypek , kotlet schabowy , cutlets Mielony , bigos, various potato dishes, potato pancakes , zapiekanka and traditional Polish desserts like pączki , faworki , gingerbread , rogal świętomarciński and babka . ===<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[Beverages  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">A traditional alcoholic beverage made ​​of honey co . Since the 13th century there was beer , wine and vodka added. Since the 80s of the last century, vodka consumption fell sharply. The increased consumption of beer and wine also increased in proportion. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-9" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[9] In the Polish viticulture invested since the beginning of the 21st century in modern technologies. ==<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[Politics  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ===<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[Polity  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">In 1989 there was a bicameral entered. The Sejm was divided into a higher and a lower house. The lower house ( Sejm ) has 460 members, the upper house ( Senate ) has 100 members. Through a special arrangement knew the Communists until 1990 to remain in power. In 1991 a scheme was proportional representation introduced.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">The president is directly elected since 1991. He has extensive powers and can dissolve parliament, has veto power and can call elections. ===Administrative divisions <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === Voivodships of Poland<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">In 1990 Poland was decentralized, local governments were given more powers. The country is administratively divided into 16 administrative regions or provinces which are further divided into 379 districts ( powiats ). These powiats are divided into 2478 municipalities ( gmina's ). <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-10" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[10] To see lists of administrative divisions:

===Political parties <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ====<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[Current  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ====
 * Voivodships of Poland
 * List of Polish districts
 * List of Polish municipalities

=
Parliamentary represented <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] =====
 * PO (Civic Platform, conservative, liberal)
 * PiS (Law and Justice, conservative, nationalist)
 * Twój Ruch (liberal, progressive liberalism)
 * PSL (Polish People's Party, Peasant Party, center-right)
 * SLD (Democratic Left Alliance, social democratic)
 * SP (Solidarna Polska, conservative)

=
Unparliamentary represented <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ===== ====<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[Former  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==== ==Economy <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == Skyscrapers in Warsaw<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">In 2014 Poland was the 23th economy in the world. At the beginning of the economic crisis in 2009, Poland was the only country of the European Union which knew no recession. Since the crisis, there is no recession or contraction of the economy come. In 2011, economic growth was 4.3%, one of the best results in Europe. That same year, the unemployment rate was 9.7%.
 * Samoobrona (Self-Defence of the Polish Republic, nationalist, populist)
 * LPR (League of Polish Families, nationalist, Catholic, conservative)
 * Partia Demokratyczna - demokraci.pl ; social-liberal)
 * PR (Right Wing of the Republic) was established in April 2007 as separation of PiS
 * Polska Jest Najważniejsza established as separation of PiS
 * Zieloni 2004 (Green 2004)
 * PZPR (1948-1990; Polish United Workers' Party, Communist)
 * Solidarność (Solidarity), split in the AWS and UD (later UW).
 * UD ( Democratic Union )
 * KLD ( Liberal-Democratic Congress )
 * PC ( Center Alliance )
 * UW ( Freedom Union, left-liberal) 1994-2005
 * AWS ( Solidarity Election Action, Right)

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Since the fall of communism in Poland Poland has implemented many reforms that the economy has helped tremendously. In 1996, already 70% of the trading members of the European Union and its neighbor Germany is currently the main trading partner of Poland. In the Arab world are the UAE 's main trading partner. The great growth potential, a large domestic market, EU membership and high political stability convince many foreign firms to invest in Poland.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Recent GDP growth: <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-11" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[11] ==Traffic and transport <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Poland has a total of 123 airports of which 12 are intended for civil use. Besides Warsaw airport (10.6 million passengers in 2013) Airport Kraków-Balice (3.65 million passengers in 2013), Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport (2.8 million passengers in 2012), Airport Katowice-Pyrzowice (2, 5 million passengers in 2012) and Copernicus Airport Wroclaw (1.9 million passengers in 2012) the greatest.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Polish road network counts 423 997 kilometers, of which 295 356 128 641 kilometer paved and unpaved kilometers (stand 2008). Of this, around 1,600 kilometers of motorway (2011). <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-13" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[13] Eventually, the highway will be expanded to 2004.4 km with an A mark and 5745 km with an S designation. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-14" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[14] The quality of the roads is different, very good to poor. Currently we are working on expanding the motorway network. There are six highways with an A-number, of which 42% is completed (as of August 2009): the Autostrada's A1, the A2 , the A4 , the A6 , the A8 and A18 . Throughout the year in Poland is required to drive with lights on. On highways with an S designation may from 1 January 2011, 120 kilometers per hour and be driven on highways with an A-140 designation.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Poland has an extensive railway network of 23 072 kilometers run by the Polish state railway company PKP ( Polish State Railways ). However, relatively slow trains on most routes by lack of maintenance. Until 2012 most of the lines between major cities will be modernized. The speeds will be increased to 160 km / h for conventional trains and 200 km / h for high speed trains. Among the major cities driving intercity, the rest of the country is served by fast trains, fast trains and local trains. Warsaw is via a direct intercity connected to Berlin . This train also stops at approximately halfway Poznan, runs several times a day and takes about 6 hours on the road. Cities like Gdansk, Krakow, Szczecin and Wroclaw are directly connected to Berlin. Most comfortable connections are currently served by high speed trains (intercity premium). High-speed trains run between Gdansk, Krakow, Warsaw, Katowice and Wroclaw. The first trains were delivered in 2014. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-15" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[15]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;">In some Polish cities driving trams . ==Media <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ===Television <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ====Audience <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==== ====Private <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==== ==Famous Poles or people of Polish descent <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ==See also <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[  edit <span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==
 * Telewizja Polska (TVP), public broadcaster with two national networks, even TVP 1 and TVP 2 and a third regional: TVP INFO and international for Poland abroad ( TVP Polonia ), TVP HD, TVP Kultura, TVP Historia, TVP SPORT . Also some thematic channels.
 * TVN, various channels of LuxembourgITI Group, including TVN Siedem (formerly RTL 7 (Poland) ), TVN Meteo, TVN24, TVN and CNBC Biznes, TVN Religia, TVN HD, TVN Turbo, TVN Style, TVN Lingua, Mango 24 ITVN.
 * Polsat, Polsat 2, Polsat Sport, Polsat Sport HD, Polsat Sport Extra, Polsat Sport News, Polsat Futbol, ​​Polsat NEWS, Polsat Play, Polsat Cafe, TV Biznes, TV4,
 * Polcast ( Tele 5 and Polonia 1 )
 * Superstacja
 * Viva Polska
 * Kino Polska
 * TV Puls
 * TV Trwam (Catholic)
 * further Polish (multilingual) e versions of the channels MTV , Discovery Channel , Canal + , HBO , The Walt Disney Company , Time Warner , Fox Entertainment Group , Hallmark Channel and Comedy Central .Most of these networks have multiple Polish channels.
 * Poland during World War II
 * Polish government in exile (1939-1990)
 * Polish A division
 * Polish Corridor
 * Poland from A to Z
 * Poland (folk)