Poland

Capital: Varsaw Population: 38,160,000 Surface: 313,000 km2

Local time: +01.00 GMT Currency: 1 € = 3.96 Zloty (PLZ)

The population of Poland is ethnically autochthonous & majority with a 96%, in contrast with the 25% of the foreign population that was in the country before the WWII. The country is divided in 16 regions, being the biggest towns: Varsaw, the capital (1.7 millions), Lodz (800.000), Krakovia (750.000), Wroclaw (650.000), Poznan (600.000), Szczecin (420.000), Katowice (350.000) & Gdansk (500.000).
The country between the Oder and the Bug River – situated in the central part of the European Lowland and occupying its all width from the Baltic Sea to the ranges of the Sudety and the Tatra Mountains – constitutes a natural land bridge between Western and Eastern Europe – first of all in geological context, but also in geographic, geopolitical, historical and cultural sense. Poland is not only a very rich and diversified country as regards its landscape. It prides itself on a long, sandy, at times cliff seashore. Spacious lake districts, along with the Land of Great Mazurian Lakes. Picturesquely undulating or flat, but lushly afforested lowlands; and naturally the mountains – from the low Karkonosze, fabulously sculpted to the Tatras of alpine character. In the twenty-three national parks we shall come across extraordinary natural attractions. Polish is the official language, part of the slavic family. The main religion by far is the Catholic.

Poland 's statehood is over one thousand years old, which can be easily traced within the borders of the country: medieval castles and modern fortresses, old city districts and magnate palaces. Moreover, foreign influence can also be found within the Polish borders: that of the formerly existing land of the Teutonic Order and the traces of the Russian, Austrian, Prussian and later German reigns over particular parts of he country. Last but not least, that of Polish Jews, whose presence died due to the Hitlerite Holocaust, also left their mark on the land.

Polish culture has been connected with the western world since the Middle Ages. Affluent modern artistic life wins huge interest across the world in the spheres of music, film, literature and fine arts. It is a country of kind and hospitable people who enjoy and respect their customs, for instance that of Christmas and Easter grand celebration and in some village regions local folklore is carefully fostered, but Polish people are simultaneously perceptive to newness and difference. Poland is part of the European Union since 2004 it is  a state with the well developed tourist base,  rich offer of services, as well as old experiences in receiving and serving guests from all over the world.