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Poland is a beautiful and diverse country full of unspoiled and uncontaminated nature, historical cities, delicious food, busting nightlife and Polish hospitality which is almost a trademark. Geographically Poland is a large country in central Europe with a population reaching 39 million. It is a country with many geographical regions and a temperate climate. In the north coast is the Baltic Sea containing 530km of fine white sandy beaches.
In the summer hundreds of thousands of people flock to the coast to enjoy a great nightlife, tasty smoked fish and some of the most beautiful women in the world.
On the Baltic coast you will also find the great sand dunes of Słowiński National Park, with some reaching 30m and if it wasn’t for the fresh sea air you could think you are in the landscape of Sahara. Just west is the Hel peninsula, know for its Kaszuby culture and as the best wind and kitesurfing destination in the northern Europe. In the region you will also find Gdańsk, Poland’s main port with fine and multi-coloured buildings constructed in the 17th century.
Going east you will find over two thousand pure and clean Masurian lakes. Poland having one of the highest numbers of lakes and rivers in the world makes it a dream for kayakers, sailors and nature lovers.
Going south of the lakes you will find the Białowieża Primavel Forest, the only remaining ancient woodland in Europe. UNESCO protected you can see animals which are extinct in the rest of the world such as the Wisent the cousin of the American Bison.
From fresh-aired Karkonosze to the striking virgin mountains of Bieszczady, the deep south of Poland is covered by the Carpathian mountain range. The highest range is the alpine High Tatras with Zakopane as its capital and over 21 peaks over 2000m, they are ideal for winter sports, hiking and meeting the vivid culture of the Gorale (mountain people).
With over 30% of the country covered in luscious forests were a favourite pastime is wild mushroom and berry picking, the rest is mainly picturesque farmland and traditional villages. Don’t forget to stop in a village to try some home made mouth-watering food.
Poland has gorgeous cities containing picturesque market squares as the hearts of its historical centres. The largest medieval market square in Europe is in the cultural, scientific and artistic centre of Cracovia (Krakow). Its old town, Wawel castle and Kazimierz are all listed as World Heritage Sites and draw 7 million tourists a year.
Another great destination is the charming Breslavia (Wroclaw) with its 130 bridges, splendid parks, and a colourful market square famous for its culture, activities and extraordinary nightlife. Other notable cities are Poznan, Lublin, Torun, Bydgoszcz and the fast paced and completely restored after the war capital Warsaw (Warszawa) just to mention a few.
Due to its central position and fertile lands, the history and culture of Poland is very rich as it is a country which has been always under attack and has changed maps numerous times. It became a state with adapting Christianity in 996, becoming a kingdom in 1025, in 1569 it became Europe’s most populous and largest country and in the 17th century it became known as the protector and defender of Europe from the Muslim Ottoman Empire.
Poland was wiped off the map in 1795 regaining it’s independence in 1918 under Jozef Pilsudski only to be lost again in World Word Two, when 6 million Poles or a third of the population were murdered by invading Nazi Germans and communists Soviets. After the war it became a communist state controlled by the Soviet Union until Lech Walesa lead Solidarity overthrew the communists. In 2004 Poland joined the European Union.
With its highly educated, skilled and hard working force Poland’s economy is growing at a rate of 6% a year and on top of its rich traditions, catholic values and family ties it is very modern and it could be the trip of a lifetime. |
