• Population: 38,500,696
• Capital: Warsaw
• Area: 312,685 sq km
• Currency: zloty (PLN)
• Language: Polish
• Religion: Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3%
• Ethnic groups: Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other 2.7%

Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century. During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and internal disorders weakened the nation. In a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland amongst themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but its government was comparatively tolerant and progressive.

Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Poland still faces the lingering challenges of high unemployment, underdeveloped and dilapidated infrastructure, and a poor rural underclass. Solidarity suffered a major defeat in the 2001 parliamentary elections when it failed to elect a single deputy to the lower house of Parliament, and the new leaders of the Solidarity Trade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade Union's political role. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. With its transformation to a democratic, market-oriented country largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active member of Euro-Atlantic organizations.

Poland is full of mysterious places, legends, myths. Each of the biggest towns and famous places in Poland is unique from a different reason. Sopot, Warsaw, Krakow, Zakopane, every single is worth of visiting and spend a time in.

The country boasts of being the largest country in the area. However, it even boasts of key mountain chains, including the Sudety and Tatra Mountains. Freshwater lakes and sandy beaches form some other geographical features of the country.

Interesting Facts about Poland:

• The north-east regions of Poland are the coldest, while the south-west regions are the warmest.
• The White tailed Eagle is the national symbol of Poland.
• Poles have won 17 Nobel prizes till date, including four Peace Prizes and five in Literature.
• The year 1989 saw Poland holding its first free elections, in more than 40 years.
• Most of the Poles consider their name day more important than their birthday.
• Poland is the 6th most populous and the 6th largest of the 27 member states in the European Union.
• Amongst all the members of the European Union, the residents of Poland marry the youngest.
• Polish people have the largest households in the European Union.
• As per 2007 UNICEF report on child well-being in rich countries, Poland ranks second in the 25 OECD countries surveyed in terms of "behaviors and risks" (healthy lifestyle, lack of violence) and third in terms of educational well-being.
• Poland has the highest unemployment level in the European Union and has the 3rd lowest GDP per capita at PPP, after Bulgaria and Romania.
• The name ‘Burek, literally meaning a brownish-grey color, is very popular as far as dog names in Poland are concerned.