47 Facts About Poland

Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a Central European country.

Poland is divided into 16 administrative provinces known as voivodeships, with a total land area of 312,696 km2.

Poland is the fifth-most populous member state of the European Union, with a population of over 38 million people.

Poland is the ninth-largest country in Europe (including Russia) by population. Poland is Europe's eighth largest country, excluding Russia.

Poland is the 63rd largest country in the world when compared to the rest of the world.

The name "Poland" (pronounced "Polska") is derived from the tribe name Polanie. Polanie is a Polish word that means "people who live in open fields."

Poland is the world's second country to draught a constitution. During the Spring of 1791, Poland's first written constitution was adopted.

Despite the fact that Poland was the second country in the world to develop a constitution, this document was only in effect for 14 months and three weeks.

Partitions and territorial wars dominated Poland's history for more than a century. Because of the reality of territorial wars, Poland's first constitution was only in effect for a short time.

Ignacy Lukasiewicz, a Polish engineer, is credited with inventing the modern kerosene street lamp. This invention, which was first used in Lviv, Ukraine, is still used on a street in Warsaw today.

Warsaw was almost completely destroyed during World War II and rebuilt after the war.

Warsaw was rebuilt with Bernardo Bellotto's 14th century paintings serving as a visual guide for the town's look and feel.

Marie Curie (the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize) was born Marie Sklodowska and is of Polish descent rather than French. She effectively became French through her marriage to Pierre Curie.

Poland has a total of 16 World Heritage Sites.

Nature abounds in the Polish landscape. The landscape is diverse, with beaches, mountains, deserts, lakes, and forests, as well as mountain chains and nearly 800 kilometres of coastline.

The only desert in Central Europe is found in Poland. Pustynia Bledowska is the name of this desert.

The dunes in Poland's Pomerania region are among the most popular tourist destinations. Other popular attractions include the islands and wetlands of Wolinksi and Bierbrzanski National Parks.

Depending on the gender, Polish surnames traditionally end with ski/ska or cka/cki. Mr. Kowalski's daughter, for example, will be referred to as Miss Kowalska.

The Warsaw radio mast (located in Konstantynow) was the world's tallest structure, measuring 646.38 metres (approximately 2,120.7 feet) before collapsing in 1991.

Poland is also home to the Malbork Castle, which is officially the largest castle in the world by single area.

Wearing a hat inside a church, someone's home, or any other building is considered impolite by the older generation of Polish natives.

While some habits and traditions may be loosely adhered to by today's Poles, chivalry is still observed and viewed in primarily traditional ways. Kissing a woman's hand, for example, is still widely practised. Even on the first meeting, Polish men will do this.

On Easter Monday, a 'water war' is held in Poland. Easter Monday, also known as Smigus Dynus, is the day of the year when boys and girls fight with water guns, buckets, and pussy willow branches.

Saints' names are associated with calendar days in Poland. This is done to facilitate the name day tradition.

On Polish television, foreign films are dubbed. This is nothing out of the ordinary, except that the voice-overs for all of the actors and parts are read by a single man.

For Poles, picking wild mushrooms at the end of summer is a popular family activity. This activity teaches children to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms.

White lilies, chrysanthemums, and red carnations are only used at funerals and should not be purchased for any other reason.

It is critical to remember not to purchase an even number of floral arrangements for a funeral. This is regarded as a definite no-no.

The Piwnica Swidnicka is Europe's oldest restaurant, having opened in 1275. The same thing can be found in Wroclaw, Poland.

Popular Polish dishes such as the Zapiekanka can be found at the Piwnica Swidnicka and other popular restaurants. The Zapiekanka is an unofficial traditional food that is similar to an American'sub' sandwich. It's half a baguette with garlic, ketchup, mayo, mushrooms, and cheese on top.

Julius Fromm, a Pole, invented the first latex condom.

Contraception, despite being invented so long ago and by one of their own, is still a hot topic of debate among Polish politicians.

Poland is still one of the most religious countries on the continent. Catholic television and radio are extremely popular throughout the country.

Poland is home to the world's tallest Jesus statue.

Valentine's Day (or Kupala or Wianki, as it is also known in Poland) is observed annually on June 21st, the Summer Solstice.

On February 14, 269, Saint Valentine of Rome was martyred.

Valentine's Day is also known as the Feast of St. John the Baptist.

The Feast of St. John the Baptist includes floating wreaths with candles from one side of a river to the other. According to legend, if one of these wreaths floats to you, you will be lucky in love.

Nicolaus Copernicus, the world's most famous astronomer and mathematician, is a Pole who is credited with discovering that the earth revolves around the sun rather than the other way around.

The Wielickzka Salt Mine is one of the most intriguing places to visit while in Poland. It is the only salt mine from the Middle Ages that is still in operation today.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine has nine levels, and the salts extracted there are Miocene in age.

Polish cuisine is known for its variety of flavours, and dumplings are at the top of the list. Pierogies are doughy delights filled with a variety of fillings and are commonly served with sour cream, onions, or greaves.

Poland is home to Jagiellonian University, Europe's second oldest institution of its kind.

King Casimir III the Great founded the Jagiellonian University in 1364, and it now has 43,405 students.

Poland is home to Europe's first and second universities. Before the Jagiellonian University in Prague, Poland's and Europe's first university was established in 1348.

Warsaw is not Poland's first capital. Gniezno was the first capital, and it was here that the Polish nation state was founded. Krakow became the second capital after that. Warsaw did not become Poland's capital until after that. Importantly, Krakow is still regarded as Poland's "culture capital" or "artistic capital" throughout the country.

The weather in Poland can be brutal. If you live there long enough, you will soon find yourself enduring far too long winters. This is why the first day of Spring is celebrated with such pomp and circumstance in Poland. On the first day of Spring, children make a Marzanna (a straw doll with beautiful colourful ribbons) and play truancy as a way to say goodbye to winter. When the Marzanna is complete, adults will assist in lighting it on fire and casting it into the river. This is one of the most anticipated traditions in Poland.