Poland is a country in Central Europe with a population of over 38 million and is divided into sixteen administrative provinces (voivodeships). Poland is one of the most populated member states of the European Union. Its population is diverse and is made up of numerous ethnic groups. Its geography is diverse and the country is home to many historical sites.
Population
The Population of Poland is 38 million strong, making it the fifth most populous country in the European Union. The country spans 312,696 square kilometers and is divided into 16 administrative provinces known as voivodeships. The country is part of Central Europe and is home to many diverse cultures. Its people are extremely friendly and hospitable, making it a popular place to live.
In the 1950s, Poland recorded the highest number of births in a single year, at 793,847. This equated to a 4.3 percent increase in the total population. In 1989, Poland’s fertility rate was 2.1 children per woman, and between 2006 and 2012, the birth rate increased more than deaths. Since the mid-1990s, the fertility rate of Poland has been below 1.5.
Poland’s population is expected to decrease by 66,410 people in the year 2021, according to preliminary figures released by the government. The death rate in Poland is 12.6 per thousand people, and the birth rate is 9.4 per thousand. During that time, the country is expected to add another 54,590 residents through immigration from other countries. Over the last 10 years, Poland recorded an average of 401,196 births and deaths per year.
In postwar Poland, the country experienced rapid urbanization. Central economic planning accelerated this process. Some experts hypothesize that this urbanization would have taken place regardless of the war. In 1931, 72.6 percent of the population in Poland was classified as rural, and 60 percent of its people depended on agriculture for their livelihood. In 1978, the figure fell to 42.5 percent, and only 22 percent of the rural population still lived in rural areas. This marked a drastic decrease in the country’s rural population.
Prior to World War II, Poland was a country of many different ethnicities. In fact, the Jewish population was the largest in Europe before the war, and Warsaw had the second largest Jewish population after New York. However, the war displaced these ethnic groups, and today Poland’s population is increasingly homogenous. Since then, a large part of the population is composed of immigrants from Eastern Europe. Wroclaw, for instance, had ten percent of Ukrainian residents in 2017. After the Ukrainian conflict in 2022, this figure was increased to 23%.
Geography
Poland is a country in Central Europe and is surrounded by the Baltic Sea and the Carpathian Mountains to the east and south. The country is mostly flat, with several mountain ranges that are located in the north and south. The country borders Russia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Ukraine.
Poland is also surrounded by a number of lakes, which are mostly located in the north. The largest lake district is Masuria, while others are found in Pomerania, Kashubia, and Lubuskie. The country’s lakes range in size and are dotted with numerous islands and inland dunes.
Poland is made up of three distinct relief groups: the Baltic Sea in the north, the Carpathians to the east, and the Tatra Mountains in the south. While the northern portion of the country is flat, the southern region is hilly and characterized by diverse highlands. The Tatra Mountains are the highest mountain in Poland, rising nearly 2,000 feet above sea level.
The lesser Poland uplands are located south of the southern lowlands. The lesser Poland uplands range in width from 90 to 200 kilometers, and are formed by gently sloping foothills of the mountains in southcentral Poland. They are divided into higher and lower elevations and reflect the geological structure. The western part of this region is known for coal deposits.
Poland is very green with many lakes and primeval forests. Its rivers and scenic landscapes are increasingly popular among tourists. This area is also home to many protected species of birds. The country is divided into sixteen provinces, and each province has its own autonomous government. These provinces oversee regional policy, EU funding, and cultural affairs.
Culture
Poland’s unique cultural identity is rooted in its history. Some see it as the bulwark of Christendom, without which Christianity would have been replaced by Islam. Others view it as the guardian of western European civilization. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw, for example, serves as a reminder of this.
In Poland, men and women both work outside the home. However, there is a gender gap in employment, with more women unemployed than men. In rural areas, women are heavily involved in farm work. They operate many farms. They also perform the “second shift”, completing household chores and shopping. The majority of industrial enterprises are state-owned.
Poles are a friendly and hardworking people, and they generally welcome foreigners. However, rural life is very conservative. Peasants tend to follow a traditional lifestyle and adhere to Roman Catholicism. Despite this, it is not considered acceptable to make jokes about religion. People who are formally related are considered kin.
Literature and painting have been prominent features of Polish culture. During the Middle Ages, Poles also produced significant amounts of literature in Latin. Writers who were prominent in this time included Gallus Anonymus, Wincenty Kadlubek, and Jan Dlugosz. He also wrote poetry and drama. His most famous novel, Marta, explores the life of a woman in nineteenth-century Poland. The novel, which was translated into many languages, became a rallying cry for women’s rights.
Traditional Polish cuisine includes meat-filled dough balls known as pierogi and pyzy. Other dishes include kopytka, golabki, and schabowy. Polish cuisine is rich in meat and rice. Many traditional dishes are served in large vessels. In addition, hospitality is highly valued in Polish culture.
Economy
The economy of Poland relies on a variety of natural resources. Coal is the principal mineral asset. It is mined in many areas, but most of it is located in the Upper Silesian coalfield. However, by the late 20th century, extraction costs had exceeded profits. As a result, the level of production declined. Other resources include small quantities of petroleum and moderate deposits of natural gas.
The country’s economy has become increasingly globalized since the mid-nineteenth century. Poland’s trade openness has risen from 49% in 1991 to 81% in 2006, and its stock of foreign direct investment (FDI) has grown from 2.83 billion USD in 1990 to over 92 billion USD in 2005, representing 31% of GDP. Foreign direct investment is a major source of investment funding in Poland, and it is an important engine for productivity growth.
In 1991, the country established a stock exchange in Warsaw, and by the turn of the century there were 230 companies listed on the exchange. The country also introduced a derivatives market in 1998. Poland’s private sector accounts for over two-thirds of GDP, although the government retains control of some large state-owned enterprises. Today, Poland’s privatization efforts have been accelerated, and many economists consider this a necessary part of the country’s economic transformation.
Poland’s economy has tended to lag behind other countries in western Europe in terms of development. Prior to the communist takeover in the 1940s, it had a free market economy, with a few centers of manufacturing and mining. However, after the coup, Poland developed a state-run command economy within the Comecon group.
Politics
The upcoming European Parliament elections in Poland will have far-reaching consequences. The later parliamentary elections will also have wide-ranging effects. The political landscape in the country is a tumultuous one. Right-wing populist and Eurosceptic movements are forming an alliance. Italy’s Matteo Salvini recently visited Poland on his quest for partners in the European Union. The right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS) appears like a natural partner.
PiS has a mixed record on environmental policy. In recent years, it has supported the installation of solar capacity and offshore wind farms in the Baltic. However, it has been against the establishment of a climate-neutral society by 2050. The PO is less supportive of environmental issues, but can be counted on for non-legislative votes.
In the current political climate, the Constitutional Court has become a focus of tension between the two main political parties. The Constitutional Court is one of the key safeguards of the rule of law in Poland, but its independence has been severely undermined by a new law passed by PiS members of Parliament. This new law makes it easier for politicians to dismiss judges.
The government has a history of targeting radical nationalist groups. In March this year, the Szturmowcy party disbanded. Previously, foreign nationalists were banned from entering Poland. Since the election, the radical free-market liberals and nationalists have combined to form the Confederation of Liberty and Independence (PiS). In October, this party managed to win 6.8% of the vote in the parliamentary elections.
Since PiS took power, Poland has experienced many changes in its political landscape. After the transition period, voters began to demand more from the political class. PiS was the first party to understand this. They promised to improve living and working conditions for the people. However, their efforts to improve the situation were not enough.
