Poland

Poland is a country in Central Europe

where is located on a geographical route that
connects forests in North-western Europe
along the lines of the Atlantic Ocean and the
fertile plains of the Eurasian border. It is
divided into 16 administrative provinces,
covering an area of 312,696 km2 (120,733 sq
mi) with a population of 38.5 million people.
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of
Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, in
east-central Poland. Generally there are four
seasons in Poland those
are spring, summer, autumn and winter,
although some people distinguish two
additional seasons, described as
early spring and early winter.

Type of Government
Poland is a Semi-presidential
Parliamentary republic with a representative
Democracy and a Bicameral Parliament
consists of 460 member lower house and 100
member senate. The head of state is the
President, he has the power to dissolve
parliament in special cases. The head of
government is the Prime Minister, who is the
leader of the cabinet.
 The president appointed the
cabinet in accordance with the
proposals of the prime minister,
usually from the majority of the
coalition in Sejm. The president is
elected by popular vote every five
years. The current president is
Andrzej Duda and the prime minister
is Mateusz Morawiecki.

Andrzej Duda Mateusz Morawiecki

Description of Society
Poland is punctuated by great forests and rivers, broad plains, and tall mountains.
Warsaw (Warszawa), the country’s capital, combines modern buildings with historic
architecture, most of which was heavily damaged during World War II but has since
been faithfully restored in one of the most thoroughgoing reconstruction efforts in
European history.

The society is formed in seven main socio-institutional areas including local

communities, informal movements and initiatives, individual civic activity, some parishes
and religious groups and NGO sectors. Polish civil society is small and sized in enclaves.
Two main factors contributed to its development: bottom-up (indigenous) citizen
activity and foreign support. Polish is the only official and predominant spoken language
in Poland, but it is also used throughout the world by Polish minorities in other
countries. Poland's once multi-ethnic population communicated in numerous languages
which faded or disappeared along the course of history. For centuries the tribes
inhabiting the lands of modern-day Poland have practiced various forms of paganism
known as Rodzimowierstwo, or "native faith.

Religious tolerance was an important part of Polish political culture, though it varied at
times. Poland are subordinate to the Ministry of Health it provides administrative
oversight and scrutiny of general medical practice, and is obliged to maintain a high
standard of hygiene and patient care. Primary education traditionally begins at the age
of seven, although children aged six can attend at the request of their parents or
guardians. Elementary school spans eight grades, at the end of which an obligatory
three-part exam on Polish, mathematics and a foreign language is to be undertaken.
The system of education in Poland allows for 22 years of continuous, uninterrupted
schooling. Poland gained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and
the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war,
but one that was comparatively tolerant and progressive.

Culture

Poland’s history dates back to prehistory times when Slavic tribes arrived on this
territory and settled down. The first documented ruler was Mieszko I (from Piast
dynasty) in the 10th century. The first coronation took place at Wawel Cathedral in
Krakow in 1025 and the Kingdom of Poland began to take shape.

The Poland of today continues the traditions and customs of this history with origins in
the Slavic culture. There were even Byzantine and Ottoman influences. Approximately
95 percent of Poland's inhabitants are Roman Catholics, with about 75 percent
attending church services regularly. Poland now has a new constitution which was
signed in 1997. The country is a member of the NATO since 1999 and joined the
European Union in 2004. After years of turbulent history, the country has finally found
some stability and chance for growth in peace.

Literature
The Polish national literature holds an exceptional position in Poland. Over the centuries
it has mirrored the turbulent events of Polish history and at times sustained the nation’s
cultural and political identity. Poland acquired a literary language in Latin when it
became a Christian land in the 10th century. When Mieszko I, prince of Poland,
accepted Christianity in 966, he invited Roman Catholic priests from Western Europe to
build churches and monasteries as religious and cultural centres. Mikołaj Rej is
considered the 'Father of Polish Literature', being the first author to write exclusively in
the Polish language. Joseph Conrad is one of the greatest novelists of all time. He
was the author of popular books such as Nostromo and Heart of Darkness.
Arts
Art in Poland has always reflected European trends while maintaining its unique
character. The Kraków Academy of Fine Arts, later developed by Jan Matejko, produced
monumental portrayals of customs and significant events in Polish history.

View of Warsaw is one of the Greatest Painting of Poland created by Bernardo

Bellotto (1722-1780)
Music
The Music of Poland covers diverse aspects of music
and musical traditions which have originated, and are
practiced in Poland. Artists from Poland include world-
famous classical composers like Frédéric Chopin

Chopin remains very well known, and is regarded for

composing a wide variety of works, including
mazurkas, nocturnes, waltzes and concertos, and using
traditional Polish elements in his pieces.

Places
1. Wieliczka Salt Mine, Wieliczka
 The 13th-century Wieliczka salt mine is just as important for the locals today as
it was hundreds of years ago, but for a very different reason. One of the world's oldest
and longest-working salt mines, it stopped commercial operations in 1996 and has since
become an artistic attraction.

2. Warsaw Old Market Place, Warsaw

The oldest part of Warsaw, the Old Town Market Place dates back to the
13th century. Although 85% of the area was destroyed by the Nazis during World War
II, it has since been restored to look exactly like it did when it was first built. A mix of
medieval architecture, Gothic, and colorful Renaissance buildings and merchant houses
all coexist in the city's most popular square.
3. Malbork Castle, Malbork

This 13th-century Teutonic castle was originally built by the Teutonic Knights, a
religious order that served as a crusading military unit. Although the castle started as a
small fortification, it was subsequently expanded over the centuries and eventually
became a massive structure. Once the largest Gothic building in Europe, Malbork castle
remains the world's largest castle by land area.
4. Lazienki Park, Warsaw

Lazienki Park covers 76 hectares of the city center, making it one of Poland's
largest urban parks. Lazienki started life as a baths park for a nobleman in the
17th century. Today, the Palace on the Isle is open to the public, as are the gardens
around it. A Classical-theater isle stage (where performances are still held), a number of
smaller palaces and structures that now serve as museums or galleries, and even a
classicist temple dedicated to the goddess Diana are set in the gardens.
5. Morskie Oko Lake, Tatra National Park

Located deep within the Tatra National Park and surrounded by towering
mountains and Swiss pines, the lake is a favorite destination for people of all ages.
Reaching it requires an easy but long paved hike through shaded forests. The lake
changes color throughout the year, transforming from a deep shade of blue to a softer
turquoise hue.