Location: Central Europe, east of Germany
Land Area: 312,685 sq. km ( 120,727 sq. miles)
Coastline: 491 km (305 miles)
Highest Point: Rysy 2,499m ( 8,197 ft)
Lowest Point: near Raczki Elblaskie 2 m ( 7 ft)
Notable Landmarks: Take a peek...

Poland has steadfastly pursued a policy of economic liberalization throughout the 1990s. Today the country stands as a success story among transition economies. The privatization of small and medium state-owned companies and a liberal law on establishing new firms have encouraged the development of the private business sector. Legal and bureaucratic obstacles with persistent corruption are hampering its further development. Poland's agricultural sector remains handicapped by structural problems, surplus labor, inefficient small farms, and lack of investment. Restructuring and privatization of "sensitive sectors" (viz., coal, steel, railroads, and energy), while recently initiated, have stalled. Reforms in health care, education, the pension system and state administration have resulted in larger than expected economic pressures. Further progress in public finances depends mainly on privatization of Poland's remaining state sector, the reduction of state employment and an overhaul of the tax code to incorporate the growing gray economy and farmers, most of whom pay no tax. The government's determination to enter the European Union (EU) has shaped most aspects of its economic policy and new legislation. In a nationwide referendum in November 2000, 77 percent of the voters were in favor of Poland's joining the EU. Improving Poland's export competitiveness and containing the internal budget deficit are top priorities.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $505.2 billion (2005 est.)
GDP Per Capita: $13,100 (2005 est.)
Number of Workers: 17.1 million (2005 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 18.2% (2005 est.)
Industries: Machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles.
Currency: zloty

Type of Government: Republic
Head of State: President Lech KACZYNSKI (since 23 December 2005)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI (since 10 July 2006)
Capital City: Warsaw
Legal Age to Vote: 18
Flag Design: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white.
Languages: Polish 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census)
Religions: Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002 census).

Poland is an ancient nation conceived around 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." Over time, Solidarity 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. Poland still suffers low growth in its Gross Domestic Product and high unemployment. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004.