Poland is a country located in Central Europe. It has a population of over 38 million people and its capital and largest city is Warsaw. Poland has a long and complex history, having been partitioned in the late 18th century between Austria, Prussia and Russia before re-emerging as an independent nation after World War I. In recent decades, Poland has transitioned from a communist state to a democratic republic and has joined both NATO and the European Union.

1. 1. Poland’s position Area: 312 679 sq kms Language: polish Capital City: Warsaw Government: Republic Currency: zloty (1 zl » 3 USD » 4 €) Location: Middle-East Europe Poland borders with: » Russia/Kaliningrad » Latvia » Belorussia » Ukraine » Slovakia (EU) » Czech Republic (EU) » Germany (EU)

2. Poland in Europe

4. Kuyavian – Pomeranian

5. Lesser Poland

6. Łódź

7. Lower Silesian

8. Lublin

9. Lubusz

10. Masovian

11. Opole

12. Podlasie

13. Pomeranian

14. Silesian

15. Subcarpathian

16. Świętokrzyska

17. Warmian – Masurian

18. West Pomeranian

19. The major polish cities Major cities: » Warsaw (1,6 mln) » Lodz (0,8 mln) » Cracow (0,7 mln) » Wroclaw (0,6 mln) » Poznan (0,5 mln) » Gdansk (0,5 mln) » Szczecin (0,4 mln)

20. 2. Population and religion Population of Poland: 38,7 million Minorities: Belarussians, Ukrainians, Germaans

22. 1025 Bolesław I (the Brave) recognized as first king of Poland.

23. 1385 Begining of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth under Jagiellon Dynasty.

24. 1772-95 Austria, Prussia, and Russia impose first partition of Poland. There were three partitions of Poland.

26. 1939 World War II begins with September invasions of Poland by Nazi Germany and Soviet Union; Polish forces defeated. Polish government-in-exile forms in London.

27. 1944 The Warsaw Uprising - Poland comes under Soviet control.

28. 1947 Poland becomes a Communist People's Republic.

29. 1978 Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, elected pope, takes the name John Paul II.

31. 1980-81 Solidarity, spearhead of political and social reform movement, exists legally; constant friction between Solidarity and government; Warsaw Pact threatens intervention.

33. 1999 Poland becomes a member of NATO.

34. 2004 Poland becomes a member of the European Union.

35. 2007 Poland joins Schengen area - Border posts and checks have been removed between Poland and Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Lithuania. Borders between Poland and Ukraine, Russia and Belarus became an Eastern frontier of European Union.

36. 4. The most Poles

37. 5 . Politics of Poland President: Bronisław Komorowski Prime Minister: Donald Tusk

38. LANDSCAPE OF POLAND South: mountain ranges North – East: lakes West and middle: lowlands, woodland North: Coast of Baltic

39. Tatra Mountains

40. Tatra Mountains

41. Tatra Mountains

42. Great Mazurian Lakes

43. The main polish rivers Oder Vistula

44. Woodlands

45. Lowlands

46. The Coast of Baltic

47. National Parks

48. National Parks

49. National Parks

50. National Parks

51. National Parks

52. National Parks

53. MAPA DROGOWA

54. PIENIŃSKI NATIONAL PARK

55. ROZTOCZAŃSKI NATIONAL PARK

56. WIGIERSKI NATIONAL PARK

57. NARWIAŃSKI NATIONAL PARK

58. WARTA ESTUARY NATIONAL PARK