Introducing Poland
Poland is a country of ample opportunities. Its commitment to new ideas and technologies, its diverse natural landscape, rich culture and tradition, and, above all else, its people who are known for their hospitality and openness – these are arguably the country’s greatest assets. Would you like to see for yourself? Then come and study in Poland!
Here is a bunch of information for starters:
- The country’s official name is: the Republic of Poland.
- Poland is situated in Central Europe, bordering Germany, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Russia, and the Baltic Sea in the north. Its location makes it a perfect starting point for sightseeing trips around the continent, because major places of interest are within easy reach.
- The capital city: Warszawa. The biggest city of Poland, hosting lots of international events.
- Official language: Polish. Admittedly, very difficult to learn. No need to worry, though, as most Polish people speak foreign languages.
- Membership in international organizations: the European Union (EU); the Schengen Area; the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); the United Nations (UN); the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF); the World Health Organization (WHO); the World Trade Organization (WTO); the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), etc.
- Area: more than 312 500 square kilometers, encompassing sandy sea beaches, great mountain hikes, beautiful lakes, quiet forests, and lively cities packed with museums and historical buildings showcasing Polish centuries-long tradition and cultural heritage.
- Population: over 38 m.
- Currency: 1 zloty (PLN) = 100 grosz. You can look up its current exchange rates at www.nbp.pl.
- Climate: moderate continental, which means there are four seasons each year, with cold winters and hot summers.
- Traditional cuisine: you will love pierogi (dumplings), zurek (sour rye-flour soup), borsch (beetroot soup), and bigos (sauerkraut with meat and spices). You must try some Polish cakes and pastries, too, such as sernik (cheese cake), placek drozdzowy (yeast cake), and makowiec (poppy-seed cake).