Poland

The Republic of Poland is located in Central Europe and is the ninth largest country in Europe. Neighbouring countries include Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave. Poland's coastline is on the Baltic Sea. The population is over 38 million people. The government is a republic with a president as chief of state and a prime minister as head of government.

Although overrun many times by many enemies, Poland has always reemerged as a viable state. Most recently, during the revolution of 1989, communist rule was overthrown and Poland became the “Third Polish Republic.” Economic prosperity reemerged, but Poland still has some problems, such as a high unemployment rate, bureaucratic red tape, some corruption, which keep the country from reaching full potential.

Visitors to Poland will enjoy the contrasts between the old and new. The modern cities contrast with the countrysides that keep the rural peasant atmosphere, where horse-drawn carts still carry hay from the fields. Tourists can see 14th century Gothic castles, medieval areas, museums, monastaries, cathedrals and sites that bear witness to the Nazi occupation. The beaches on the Baltic coast are also a common tourist destination.