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Poland - General Overview
HISTORY
The history of Poland has been as varied as the conquerers who overran the land at various times during the centuries. During the 16th century, the states of Poland and Lithuania formed a strong and independent Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that was the second largest country in Europe. Although by the late 1700's, the Commonwealth had ceased to exist and Poland was partitioned amongst neighbors three separate times. Poland was not only the center of the European continent geographically, but politically as well. Although Poland regained its independence in 1918, the invasion of the country by Germany signaled the beginning the of the Second World War and Poland's government remained in exile until the country ended up as a satellite nation under the Soviet Union following the close of World War II. By the late 1980's, the Solidarity movement under Lech Walesa spearheaded the peaceful transition from Communism to a free and democratic state. Poland is now an important member of the European Union.
GEOGRAPHY
Moving clockwise around the borders of Poland from the Baltic Sea in the north, are the countries of Russia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Germany. The only usable harbors on the Baltic are at Gdansk and at Szczecin. The northeastern quadrant of the country is sparsely populated and has few resources either of agriculture or industrial importance. The vast plains extending across most of the southern third of the country.
The highest point of the country is at Mount Rysy, 65 miles south of Krakow with an elevation of 8200 feet. Most of the country doesn't reach more than 1600 feet in elevation. In fact, the average elevation of the country is only at 500 feet.
POPULATION
Poland has a population of over 38 million residents, of whom over 96.7% claim to be Polish in nationality. Ukrainians and Lemkos make up the next largest national groups residing in Poland. As many as half a million Polish residents speak Kashubian at home, although only a few thousand claim to be Kashubian. Other major national groups in Poland include, Belarussians, Jews, Lithuanians, Germans and other small national groups. Poland's nationalities are so diverse due to the many border changes and forced deportations and migrations under the Soviets and earlier conquerers as well.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Natural resources found in the country of Poland include coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber and arable land. Coal and lignite are the most plentiful of the products of Poland. Approximately 100 million tons of coal are produced annually, a significant portion of the world's supply. Power production in Poland is basically coal based, leading to problems with air quality control and difficulty in meeting European Union standards.
About 3.3% of the world's copper comes from Polish resources. Natural gas deposits meet about 30% of Poland's use of the product, while oil deposits are almost negligible. Mining for silver, sulfur and lead accounts for another portion of Poland's exportable resources.
The value of Poland's supplies of amber have been well known since the time of ancient trade routes. Deposits are estimated at 12,000 tons.
The country of Poland has the last remaining stands of the dense forests which one covered most of Europe.
INDUSTRIES
Sawnwood, wood products, paper and furniture are significant industries in Poland with extensive exports in all area. Most of the timber resources are state owned and managed. Hide and leather industries were more extensive in the years surrounding World War II, but have steadily declined, largely due to lack of supply. The fur industry has suffered the same fate, with most exports going to the former Soviet Union countries to the east of Poland.
Leading industries since the turn of the millennium include textiles, shipbuilding, glass, coal, chemicals, metals and metal products, fuel and food processing. Although there has been fluctuation in the amount of industrial production over the years, much can be blamed on the cost of developing private business and making the transition from communism to capitalism.
CULTURE
Poland's location between Latin and Byzantine cultural groups and the cross fertilization of the many surrounding nations who sometimes overran the Polish borders have led to a cultural heritage that is as rich and varied as anywhere in the world. Poland's culture tended to take the best from its neighbors and incorporate the strains into a harmonious whole. Great Polish artists, musicians, poets and writers portray the best of Poland. Chopin, Matejko, Potocki, Reymont, and Polanski reflect just a few of the greats in several artistic fields who have achieved world renown.
RELIGION
World War II essentially transformed Poland into a land with a single religion--Roman Catholicism. Approximately 95% of Poles claim Catholicism as their religion, with 80% regularly attending Mass and other church activities. Over half a million Poles claim Eastern Orthodox and Jehovah's Witnesses number over 100,000. The balance are various Protestant and Eastern religions.
Prior to the war, over 3.5 million Jews lived in Poland. It is estimated that only 300,000 were left after the horrors of the Holocaust. Emigration furthered reduced the numbers to an estimated 15,000 in Poland at present. Of course, many Jews prefer not to refer to themselves as a national group, but as a religious and cultural minority rather than as an ethnic one.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
The government of Poland consists of a parliamentary representative democratic republic. The Prime Minister holds executive power. Legislative power is exercised by the government and two parliamentary houses, the Sejm and the Senate. The Judiciary branch of government is independent of the other two branches.
Parliament is elected by proportional representation and must occur every 5 years. Currently six parties make up the Parliament. Non ethnic minority parties must gain at least 5% of the national vote in order to be seated in parliament.
The President is the Head of State and must run for reelection every 5 years. This position is largely representative, although he can veto Parliamentary legislation.
The judicial branch plays a very minimal role in the politics of Poland, although it can annul laws which violate constitutional freedoms.
05.04.2008. 16:29
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