Poland in brief

Polish Studies at SSEES | Polish Language

The Republic of Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska) is located in Central Europe, between Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and the Baltic Sea, Lithuania and Russia (Kaliningrad) to the north. The capital is Warsaw. Poland acceded to the EU in 2004.

Poland is a fascinating country with a lot to offer for pleasure and business. Poland provides many beautiful and unspoilt places for recreation. You can go skiing or climbing in the mountains, bathing in the sea and sailing or swimming in the lakes. Wild forest occupies one third of the country and offers great walking, horse riding and picnicking. Famous Polish mushrooms and berries grow in abundance, and are exported all over the world. With plenty of budget and low-cost airlines, Poland is easily accessible.

• Pope John II and Nicolaus Copernicus were among the famous alumni of Krakow's Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest in Europe (founded 1364).



• Ignacy Paderewski (1860 - 1941) was the only Prime Minister who was also a composer and concert pianist of international repute.



• The Second World War events portrayed in Steven Spielberg's film "Schindler's List" took place in Krakow, where the filming on location also took place.



• The foundation of the trade union "Solidarity" is deemed to be one of the prime reasons for the eventual break-up of the Soviet Union.



• Poland is the fifth largest country in the European Union.

• General information: www.poland.pl
• Polish Cultural Institute: www.polishculture.org.uk
• Polish Embassy in London: poland.embassyhomepage.com/
• Polish Cultural and Social Centre (POSK): www.posk.org
• SSEES Internet Resources on Poland

This page last modified Thursday 16 December 2010.