Poland is a central European country situated on the Baltic Sea, bordered by 6 countries, including Germany and the Czech Republic to the west, and Ukraine and Belarus to the east. Polish is the official language for its population of almost 38 million. The 6th most populous country in Europe, over 17.5 million people visit Poland each year as tourists. Its capital Warsaw is located on the Vistula River, and features many historical and cultural sites, including Royal Castle and the Palace of Culture and Science. The city’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site-all the more remarkable for being rebuilt from the ruins of World War II. Just south of Old Town is the 18th-century park, Lazienki, complete with a historic palace, lake, and strolling peacocks. Krakow, a city in Poland’s south, offers a preserved medieval center and Jewish quarter. Its historic Cloth Hall, a 14-century merchant building has been beautifully restored and offers terraces and cafes and views of St. Mary’s Basilica. Travelers to Poland’s city of Gdansk on the Baltic Sea can view the country’s muscular maritime industry, especially its historic Solidarity Centre, commemorating the 1980s trade union movement. Gdansk is famous for the wall murals of Zaspa, and the Long Market, one of the most photographed streets in the world. For nature enthusiasts, Poland offers Tatra National Park in the south and to the east, the mammoth oaks of the Białowieża Forest. Travelers throughout the country can sample Polish cuisine, including bigos, a hunter’s stew, and the Polish staple: pierogies. Poland signed the Schengen Agreement in 2003, becoming part of the Schengen area in 2007.
Poland Visa
