Welcome to Poland, the historical bridge between East and West at the heart of Europe. Poland is relatively large European country, with an area of 120,628 square miles (312,700 sq. km); it is slightly smaller than Germany and slightly larger than Italy. Its population of 38,6 million makes is the sixth most populous of the European Union’s twenty-five member states.

Poland is a land of contrasts. A new member of the European Union with a growing, increasingly high-tech economy, it still has a massive agricultural sector in which farming methods have changed little over the centuries. The long Baltic coast to the north gives way to a wide central plain, and in the south are the rocky peaks of the Tatry Mountains. The large cities, such as Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, and Wroclaw, with their bright lights, modern facilities, and nightlife are in stark contrast to the backward villages of the countryside where life can appear to have stood still for hundred years.

Geographical Overview

Poland is bordered to the west by Germany, to the south by the Czech and Slovak Republics, to the east by the tiny Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. The Baltic Sea defines the northern border. The country is dominated by a large, central plain that encompasses the cities of Warsaw, Poznan, and Lodzs. The entire southern part of the country is mountainous, with the highest peaks of the Tatry Mountains, 70 miles (113 km) south of Krakow, reaching an elevation of 8,200 feet (2,499m). Major population centres are spread throughout the country, with Warsaw lying near the middle of the central plain, geographically isolated from any notable topographic features. Due west of Warsaw approximately 200 miles (322 km) on the road to Berlin, is Poznan. Gdansk on the Baltic coast lies alongside Gdynia and Sopot; collectively they are known as the tri-city. Krakow is situated some 200 miles south of Warsaw, just north of the Tatry Mountains. Wroclaw is located in the southwest of the country, north of the Sudety Mountains. Wroclaw is located in the southwest of the country, north of the Sudety Mountains, which continue into the Czech Republic and eastern Germany.

Climate

Poland has primarily continental climate, tempered by the Baltic Sea in the north. Summers are typically hot and sunny, and the time when city residents flee in droves to the countryside, lakes, seaside, or mountains. In fact, Warsaw in the middle of summer can feel like a ghost town, deserted but for the tourists wandering around. The hot weather normally lasts from late May till early September, although this varies greatly from year to year. Fall can range from dark and gloomy to stunningly beautiful. The famous Polish golden autumn has a deserved Warsaw winters are gray and wet. These are in stark contrast to the snowy peaks of the mountainous south where the food, hospitality, and mulled beer should not be missed!

Top ^

Polish culture has been shaped over the centuries by many factors. The Catholic Church, great cities, Communism, generations of proud nobles, ever-shifting borders, foreign occupation, and numerous was have all left their mark.

Catholicism in Poland

Western European visitors to Poland may be surprised to see how strong a role the Church plays in the day-to-day lives of many Poles. Even many who do not attend Mass are strongly influenced by the culture of Polish Catholicism.
Increasingly, however, young people are turning away from the Church as an institution, although many retain their belief. Often blamed for this disillusionment are the political ties between the Church and certain political groups. Others attribute it to the conservative values of the Polish Catholic Church and its unwillingness to change with the times.

Pride and Patriotism

Poland’s history has seen more than its fair share of foreign domination and war. That the Polish nation has come through this in the state it is today, a modern, relatively prosperous, Western economy, is a source of pride for Poles. However, Polish attitudes toward their state or nation are complex and may seem contradictory to many foreigners. The contradiction lies in the Polish tendency to mock their country and laugh at themselves, much as British would, while at the same time having a straightforward, American-style pride in it. After years of mismanagement during the Communist era, the government and politicians in general remain natural objects of ridicule. But Polish nation itself is viewed as something sacred, not to be criticized or joked about. Thus, while Poles may laugh about their plight, the state of their country, or typical Polish characteristics, foreigners should not do the same. Poles are extremely sensitive to foreign opinions of their country and themselves.

Top ^

Among the positive changes that have come about since the end of Communism has been the exponential growth in possibilities for spending free time. Cinemas, theatres, pubs, clubs, restaurants, shopping malls, and recreation centres are all available poles today. Despite this profusion of modern alternatives, the traditional Polish passion for the great outdoors is undiminished.

During long weekends and holidays in particular the cities empty and their inhabitants head en masse for the seaside, lakes, mountains, of family homes in the countryside. Although the Poles work long hours, they have generous vacation breaks and few would even contemplate spending their free days at home. Foreign vacations have also become extremely popular as the prices have dropped to destinations such as Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Alps.

Top ^

The above extract is kindly provided by Culture Smart! the essential guide to customs & culture. The 168-page guide retails at £6.95 + P&P and is available directly from Kuperard, the publishers of Culture Smart! guides.

CultureSmart!Consulting in conjunction with Cactus Language Training creates tailor-made seminars and consultancy programs to meet a wide range of corporate, public sector, and individual needs. Find out more at www.cactuslanguagetraining.com.

Top ^