Map Data for
Poland

Situated in central Europe, the Republic of Poland is bordered by Russia, Lithuania, Germany, Ukraine, Belarus, Slovakia and Czechia. The capital city is Warsaw.
Poland is a representative democracy, and is divided into sixteen administrative provinces, called voivodeships. It has had periods of independence and well as turbulent times of domination by other countries. Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany during World War ll and millions of Poles were killed, around half of them Jewish. Infamously, a number of concentration camps were established in Poland. Post-war, the Soviets instituted a communist government, but the establishment of the Solidarity trade union in Gdansk in 1980, ensured that Poland was the birthplace of the Soviet bloc’s first recognised independent political movement. With free elections in 1989 and 1990, Poland achieved independence from Soviet Russia.
It is now a developed market economy and one of the most robust in Europe. It is also considered to be one of the world’s most dynamic economies. Most significant is the service sector, particularly banking and finance, with tourism a growing area. Industries include machine-building, ship-building and chemicals. Agriculture makes a lesser contribution to the economy, and the population has become more urbanised.
Poles are notoriously proud of their national identity and there is strong cultural heritage throughout art, architecture, music, literature and science and fashion. The Polish media and film scene is robust and lively. Fifteen of its sixteen UNESCO World Heritage sites are cultural.
On the world stage, Poland is a member of the United Nations, NATO and the European Union.