Poland Map

Description: This map shows governmental boundaries of countries; provinces, province capital cities, and major cities and towns in Poland.

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Poland (Republic of Poland) stands as a country in Central Europe with a population of 38 million people, making it the fifth most populous member state of the European Union. The country covers an area of 120,733 square miles (312,696 square kilometers) and shares borders with Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and Lithuania and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad to the north.

Warsaw serves as the capital and largest city, with 1.8 million residents in its metropolitan area. Other major urban centers include Kraków, Łódź, Wrocław, and Poznań. The country's geography features diverse terrain, from the Baltic Sea coastline in the north to the Tatra Mountains along its southern border. The central regions consist primarily of lowlands, while the country contains over 10,000 lakes, predominantly in the northern region.

Poland maintains a high-income economy, ranking as the sixth largest in the European Union by nominal GDP. The country's economic strength stems from its industrial sector, including machinery manufacturing, metallurgy, and chemical production. Poland also possesses significant coal reserves and maintains a strong agricultural sector, leading European production of potatoes, rye, and beetroot.

The nation's transportation infrastructure includes 233,000 miles (375,000 kilometers) of roads, an extensive railway network, and major international airports in Warsaw, Kraków, and Gdańsk. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004, marking significant milestones in its post-communist development.

Tourism plays a crucial role in Poland's economy, with the country receiving over 21 million international visitors annually. Major attractions include the historic center of Kraków, featuring Europe's largest medieval town square, and the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which contains unique salt sculptures and underground chambers. The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum draws visitors as a crucial historical site and memorial to Holocaust victims. The Białowieża Forest, Europe's last primeval forest, provides habitat for European bison and other rare species.

Poland's education system ranks among Europe's oldest, with Jagiellonian University in Kraków dating to 1364. The country maintains 500 higher education institutions serving 1.3 million students. Polish scientists and researchers have made significant contributions across various fields, including Marie Curie's pioneering work in radioactivity.

The Polish healthcare system provides universal coverage through a national health fund. The country operates 948 hospitals and maintains a ratio of 2.4 doctors per 1,000 residents. Life expectancy averages 74.7 years for men and 82.6 years for women.

The country's natural resources include extensive deposits of copper, silver, natural gas, coal, and rock salt. Poland ranks among the world's top producers of copper and silver, with mining operations centered in the Lower Silesian region. The Baltic coastline stretches 273 miles (440 kilometers), featuring popular resort towns and amber deposits, known locally as "Baltic gold."

The Facts:

Flag:
Capital:	Warsaw
Area:	120,733 sq mi (312,696 sq km)
Population:	~ 38,036,118 (2022 census)[1]
Official language:	Polish
Religion:	71.3% - Catholicism 1.1% - other Christian 6.9% - no religion 0.1% - other 20.6% - unanswered
Currency:	Złoty (PLN)
Driving side:	Right
Calling code:	+48
Internet TLD:	.pl
Time zone:	UTC+1 (CET) Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Gross domestic product (PPP) 2025 estimate:	$1.992 trillion (Total) $54,498 (Per capita)
Gross domestic product (nominal) 2025 estimate:	$915 billion (Total) $25,041 (Per capita)
Official government website:	www.gov.pl

Google Map of Poland

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List of Largest Cities in Poland

1. Warsaw (1,862,402)
2. Krakow (807,644)
3. Wroclaw (673,531)
4. Łódź (648,711)
5. Poznan (536,818)
6. Gdansk (487,834)
7. Szczecin (387,700)
8. Lublin (328,868)
9. Bydgoszcz (324,984)
10. Białystok (290,907)

11. Katowice (278,090)
12. Gdynia (240,554)
13. Częstochowa (204,703)
14. Rzeszów (197,706)
15. Radom (194,916)
16. Toruń (194,273)
17. Sosnowiec (185,930)
18. Kielce (181,211)
19. Gliwice (169,259)
20. Olsztyn (166,697)

Ski Resorts in Poland: Zakopane, Karpacz, Krynica-Zdrój, Ustroń, Małe Ciche, Szczyrk, Szklarska Poręba, Krynica-Zdrój.

The Best Coastal Towns in Poland

Main sights in Poland

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Voivodeships of Poland

List of Voivodeships of Poland

Voivodeship	Capital	Area	Population
Lower Silesian	Wrocław	7,702 sq mi (19,947 sq km)	2,903,000
Kuyavian-Pomeranian	Bydgoszcz, Toruń	6,939 sq mi (17,971 sq km)	2,056,000
Lublin	Lublin	9,700 sq mi (25,123 sq km)	2,104,000
Lubusz	Gorzów Wielkopolski, Zielona Góra	5,401 sq mi (13,988 sq km)	995,000
Łódź	Łódź	7,034 sq mi (18,219 sq km)	2,443,000
Lesser Poland	Kraków	5,862 sq mi (15,183 sq km)	3,399,000
Masovian	Warsaw	13,729 sq mi (35,559 sq km)	5,432,000
Opole	Opole	3,634 sq mi (9,412 sq km)	966,000
Subcarpathian	Rzeszów	6,890 sq mi (17,846 sq km)	2,098,000
Podlaskie	Białystok	7,794 sq mi (20,187 sq km)	1,182,000
Pomeranian	Gdańsk	7,075 sq mi (18,323 sq km)	2,355,000
Silesian	Katowice	4,762 sq mi (12,333 sq km)	4,501,000
Holy Cross	Kielce	4,520 sq mi (11,710 sq km)	1,216,000
Warmian-Masurian	Olsztyn	9,333 sq mi (24,173 sq km)	1,423,000
Greater Poland	Poznań	11,516 sq mi (29,826 sq km)	3,486,000
West Pomeranian	Szczecin	8,844 sq mi (22,905 sq km)	1,694,000

Geography of Poland

The topography of Poland consists of five distinct geographical regions. The northern region encompasses the Baltic coastal plain and the lake-rich Masurian Lake District. The central region features lowlands that stretch across the country from east to west. The southern region includes two major highland areas: the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains, with the Tatra Mountains reaching Poland's highest point at Mount Rysy (2,499 meters).

Poland's climate exhibits transitional characteristics between oceanic and continental systems. Summer temperatures average 16-19°C (61-66°F), while winter temperatures range from -6 to 0°C (21-32°F). Annual precipitation varies between 500-700mm, with higher amounts in the mountains. The growing season spans 180-190 days across most of the country.

The country's major rivers include the Vistula (Wisła) and Oder (Odra), which flow northward into the Baltic Sea. These rivers, along with their tributaries, form crucial transportation routes and support agricultural activities. Poland's landscape includes numerous lakes, with over 9,300 lakes larger than one hectare, primarily concentrated in the northern region.

Major Rivers of Poland

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Brief History of Poland

Poland's recorded history begins in 966 CE with the baptism of Duke Mieszko I, marking the formation of the Polish state and its integration into medieval European Christianity. The Piast Dynasty, Poland's first ruling family, established a strong centralized monarchy and expanded its territories.

Under the Jagiellon Dynasty (1386-1572), Poland formed a powerful union with Lithuania, creating one of Europe's largest and most influential states. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth emerged as a major European power, known for its unique noble democracy, religious tolerance, and cultural achievements. The 16th century marked Poland's Golden Age, characterized by significant developments in arts, science, and political thought.

The 18th century brought decline as neighboring powers - Prussia, Russia, and Austria - partitioned Poland three times (1772, 1793, and 1795), ultimately erasing it from the map for 123 years. Despite the loss of statehood, Polish national identity persisted through language, culture, and resistance movements.

Poland regained independence in 1918 after World War I but faced immediate challenges from both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939. World War II devastated Poland, resulting in massive population losses and widespread destruction. The post-war period saw Poland emerge as a communist state under Soviet influence until 1989.

The Solidarity movement, led by Lech Walesa, initiated peaceful anti-communist resistance in 1980, contributing significantly to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. Since 1989, Poland has transformed into a democratic state, joining NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. The country has experienced substantial economic growth and modernization, becoming a significant regional power in Central Europe.