Poland is situated in the central part of Europe. The area of the country is 322,577 km2. The name of the country probably derives from the tribe of Polans living in the territory of the present Wielkopolska region.

The present territory of Poland was determined after World War II by the winning superpowers. Neighbouring countries of Poland are - Germany on the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia on the south, Ukraine and Belarus, Lithuania and Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) on the east.

The national emblem of the Republic of Poland bears a white eagle with its head turned to the right, with a golden crown, beak and claws, against a red rectangular shield of the bottom side extended in the middle.

The national colours on the national flag are red and white (cinnabar) in two horizontal parallel stripes of equal width and length, with the white one on the top and the red one on the bottom.

The national anthem of the Republic of Poland is the "Dąbrowski's Mazurka" written by Józef Wybicki in 1797.

The Third Republic of Poland has a population of 38.2 million. With its number of inhabitants, Poland is the 29th country in the world and 8th country in Europe. Cities are inhabited by 62% while rural areas by 38% of the citizens. 94% of inhabitants of the country are Catholics.

The capital city of Poland is Warsaw, and the biggest Polish cities are Łódź, Kraków, Wrocław, Poznań, Gdańsk, Szczecin, Bydgoszcz and Lublin.

Nationally, contemporary Poland is almost homogenous. According to the national census of 2002, the minorities constitute 3.26% of the total number of inhabitants, i.e. approx. 1.5 million people. The most numerous minorities are Germans, Byelorussians and Ukrainians.

It is estimated that a dozen million or so Poles live beyond the territory of Poland (people declaring the Polish origin). The biggest Polish communities abroad live in the United States, Germany, Brazil, France, Canada, Belarus, Ukraine and Lithuania.

Contemporary Poland is a parliamentary republic.

Poland is a member of the European Union, NATO and many international organisations.

See also:

• Important links to the Ministries and other central and local government institutions

• Polish Information and Investment Agency – publications on Poland