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Poland

Overview

Situated at the centre of Europe, and the largest of the former Eastern European states, Poland’s position is crucial.

Poland has become one of the major destinations for travellers. Its beauty can be admired in both its old cities and in the wild scenery of its national parks and nature reserves. The country’s regions are largely divided into horizontal bands: the Baltic Coast and the hilly post-glacial lake district.

Central Poland is split into northern lowlands and southern uplands, including the Kraków-Wielun Upland with its limestone areas, caves and medieval castles. The Carpathian Mountains, including the Tatras, lie in the extreme south; their mountain scenery, folklore and sports facilities contributing to their charm.

Poland is a nation with a proud cultural heritage, and theatre, music and opera companies abound. The former textile city of Lodz is proud of its film school, alma mater to directors Roman Polanski and Krzysztof Kieslowski. There is also a strong tradition of graphic design and glassware.

Although the native soil for composer FrederickChopin, scientist Marie Curie (neé Skladowska) and astronomer Nicholas Copernicus, Poland is best remembered for being the birthplace of the former Soviet bloc’s first officially recognised independent mass political movement when strikes at the Gdansk shipyard in August 1980 led to agreement with the authorities on the establishment of the Solidarnosc (Solidarity) trade union.

Elections in summer 1989 ushered in eastern Europe’s first post-Communist government. Poland is a member of the European Union and has achieved success in creating a market economy and attracting foreign investment. Growth is slow-moving and growing pains are apparent in the high unemployment rate and mass exodus of qualified people to other countries in search of a decent wage, but the potential exists for a healthier economy.

General Information

Central Europe.

Area

312,685 sq km (120,728 sq miles).

Population

38.1 million (official estimate 2006).

Population Density

122.3 per sq km.

Capital

Warsaw. Population: 1.7 million (official estimate 2006).

Government

Republic since 1918.

Poland shares borders to the east with the Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine and Lithuania, to the south with the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic and to the west with Germany. To the north lies the Baltic Sea. The Baltic coast provides over 500km (300 miles) of sandy beaches, bays, steep cliffs and dunes. Northern Poland is dominated by lakes, islands and wooded hills joined by many rivers and canals. The Mazurian Lake District to the northeast is particularly beautiful. Lake Hancza, the deepest lake in Poland, is located in this district. The River Vistula (WisÅ‚a) has cut a wide valley from Gdansk on the Baltic coast to Warsaw in the heart of the country. The rest of the country rises slowly to the Sudety Mountains, which run along the border with the Czech Republic, and the Tatra mountains, which separate Poland from the Slovak Republic. To the west, the River Oder, with Szczecin at its mouth, forms the northwest border with Germany.

Language

Polish is the official language. There are a few small German-speaking communities primarily in the southwest. English and Russian are also spoken.

Religion

More than 95% Roman Catholic; other religions include Polish Autocephalous Orthodox, Russian and Greek Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim.

Time

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Social Conventions

Poles are friendly, industrious people and foreigners are usually made very welcome. There are vast contrasts between urban and rural life and the Polish peasantry is very religious and conservative, maintaining a traditional lifestyle. Roman Catholicism plays an important role in daily life and criticism or jokes about religion are not appreciated, despite the general good humour of the people. Music and art are also important aspects of Polish culture. Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Normal courtesies are observed when visiting private homes and it is customary to bring flowers, preferably in odd numbers. Fairly conservative casual wear is the most suitable attire, but dress should be formal when specified for entertaining in the evening or in a smart restaurant. Smoking is restricted in some public buildings. Photography: Military installations including border points should not be photographed.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz; continental sockets.

Head of Government

Jaroslaw Kaczynski since 2006.

Head of State

President Lech Kaczynski since 2005.

Passport / Visa

YesNoNoYesNoNoYesNoNoYesNoNo1NoNo

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above except:
1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.

Visas

Not required by nationals of countries referred to in the chart above for touristic stays of up to 90 days.

Visa Note

(a) All visitors entering Poland must possess sufficient funds (at least Zl300 per day) to cover medical expenses (or a valid insurance policy or official invitation is acceptable instead) and Zl100 per day for accommodation and sustenance. (b) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Money

Currency

Zloty (PLN; symbol Zl) = 100 groszy. Notes are in denominations of Zl200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. The new coins are in denominations of Zl5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 groszy.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currency can be exchanged at all border crossing points, hotels and bureaux de change, some of which are open 24 hours. Hotel rates and goods in large stores may also be listed in Euros.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in larger establishments. Cash can be obtained from Visa credit cards at banks.

Traveller's Cheques

Readily exchanged. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Pounds Sterling.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1600, Sat 0900-1300 in main cities. In smaller towns, banking hours are more limited.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Date	Jul 07
£1.00=	Zl5.57
$1.00=	Zl2.77
€1.00=	Zl3.76

Transport

Getting Around By Air

Domestic flights are operated by LOT Polish Airlines (website: www.lot.com) and Centralwings (website: www.centralwings.com). There is a comprehensive network linking all major cities.

Getting Around by Rail

Cheap and efficient InterCity trains are operated by Polskie Koleje PaÅ„stwowe (Polish State Railways) (tel: (022) 9436, in Poland only or (022) 511 6003; website: www.pkp.pl) and link all parts of the country in a network radiating from Warsaw. There are two classes of travel and trains are often classified as Inter-City, Express or Local; for comfort and speed stay on Inter-City (IC) or Express (Ex) routes.

Rail Passes

InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Poland. Travel is not allowed in the passenger’s country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children’s tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Eurail Poland Pass: available to visitors travelling from outside of Europe. Offers unlimited rail travel within the country for five, eight, 10 or 15 days’ travel within a one-month period.

Getting Around by Road

Traffic drives on the right, and standard international traffic signs are used. Major inter-city routes use the prefix ‘E’ and motorways use ‘A’. Most petrol stations located along international routes are open 24 hours a day. Road quality ranges from smooth brand new motorways to narrow, pot-holed single lanes.

Bus: There are good regional bus and coach services operated by Polish Motor Communications (PPKS) (tel: 03003 00130, in Poland only or (022) 822 4811; website: www.pks.warszawa.pl).

Car hire: Self-drive cars are available at the airport or through various car hire offices in town centres. All major firms are available. The minimum age for hiring a car is 21.

Regulations:The minimum driving age is 17. Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas, 90km (55mph) on other roads, 100kph (62mph) on major roads and 130kph (81mph) on motorways. Seat belts and warning triangles are compulsory. Trams have the right of way. From 1 October to 1 March, all vehicles should have their lights switched on at all times.

Emergency breakdown service: For roadside assistance, contact the Polish Automobile and Motorway Federation, Polski Zwiazek Motorowy (PZM) (tel: 9637, in Poland only; website: www.pzmtravel.com.pl).

Documentation: Tourists travelling in their own cars should have vehicle registration cards, their national driving licence (driving licences of EU nationals are accepted) and third party insurance documents. Green Card motor insurance is necessary for vehicles coming from outside the EU and Switzerland. An International Driving Permit is required for those from outwith the European Union.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Warsaw: In Warsaw, the Municipal Transport Board (ZTM) is responsible for the bus, metro and tram services. ZTM tickets are valid for all services and can be purchased as a single ride or as a day, week or monthly pass. Some buses allow the purchase of tickets on board, but it is best to buy before you use any transport.

Cracow: The MPK is the transport board responsible for public buses and trams in Cracow and the system works similarly to the one in Warsaw, except there is no metro. Public transport tickets are available in all towns at green Ruch kiosks, hotels and post offices.

Most public transport operates from 0530-2300; night buses, in the major cities, run from 2300-0500.

Taxis are available in all main towns. They are usually found at ranks or can be ordered by phone. There is a surcharge from 2300-0500 and for journeys out of town, as well as at weekends. Taxi drivers may insist on payment in hard currency. Tipping is welcomed.

Journey Times

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Warsaw to other major cities/towns in Poland.

	Air	Road	Rail
Cracow	1.40	4.00	2.35
Poznan	1.00	4.00	3.00
Wroclaw	1.15	6.00	4.35
Gdansk	1.00	6.00	3.40

Entertainment

Food and Drink

Poland has a distinctive cuisine, with typical ingredients being dill, marjoram, caraway seeds, wild mushrooms and sour cream, which is frequently added to soups, sauces and braised meats. Soups play an important part at mealtimes and are usually rich and very thick. Barszcz (beetroot soup), however, runs thin and clear and is often served in cups with small hot pasties stuffed with meat or cabbage. There are several salt- and fresh-water fish dishes using trout, carp and herring. Pastries, such as szarlotka (apple cake), packi (jelly doughnuts) and makowiec (poppy seed cake) can be bought at a cukiernia. Note that big cities offer a selection of other world cuisines.

National specialities:
•Bigos (sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, onions and any variety of leftover meat).
• Salted and rolled herring fillets with pickles and onions.
•Kabanos (long, thick sausages).
• Pierogi (dumplings stuffed with either meat, mushrooms and cabbage, cheese or fruit).
•Kasza (buckwheat).

National drinks:
• Vodka (wódka, in many various flavours - try krupnik and ÅºoÅ‚Ä…dkowa).
• The best bottled beer is zywiec, a fairly strong lager-type beer.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: 10 to 15% is customary in restaurants and cafes. Tipping in self-service restaurants is not expected. Tips for porter’s services in hotels and train stations are customary but amounts are at the traveller’s discretion.

Nightlife

The larger Polish cities have several theatre and dance companies. In addition there is a National Philharmonic, a National Opera and plenty of cinemas. There is a large selection of dance clubs, bars and venues for live music in most towns. Clubs often choose to stay open until the last guest leaves.

Shopping

Special purchases include glass and enamelware, handwoven rugs, silverware, handmade jewellery with amber and silver, dolls in regional costumes, woodcarvings and clay and metal sculptures.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1800/2000 and Sat 1000-1300/1600. ‘Night shops’ open 24 hours. Supermarkets and department stores are usually open daily 1000-1900.

Top things to see

• Visit Warsaw, where the Old Town was reconstructed from original plans and paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, after being decimated during WWII. Spend time in the Old Town square (rynek) by visiting an outdoor cafe, checking out the Historical Museum (website: www.mhw.pl) or perusing the antiques shops.

• Take an elevator to the 30th floor observation deck of the Palace of Culture and Science for a great view of Warsaw. This edifice was gifted to Poland in 1953 from Stalin as a symbol of ’Polish-Soviet friendship’ (website: www.pkin.pl).

• Soak up history via a walk through the Warsaw Rising Museum; it’s an educational and interactive experience. The museum features films, testimonials, slides and artefacts from the time when Warsaw residents were active in the resistance (website: www.1944.pl).

• See the manor house where Frederick Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola, 53km (32 miles) west of Warsaw. Attractions include an attractive park, summertime recitals and 19th-century instruments and furniture (website: www.infochopin.pl).

• Visit the Renaissance-style market square in Zamosc, which is one of the many designated UNESCO sites in Poland.

• Walk through the Cracow Gate, built in the late 14th century and remodeled in 1782. It is considered to be an architectural symbol of Lublin and is the primary entrance into the Old Town; it also houses a historical museum (website: www.zamek.lublin.pl).

• Immerse yourself in Cracow’s charming medieval atmosphere; it is one of UNESCO’s 12 most significant historical sites. In the middle of the central Market Square (the largest in Europe) is the Cloth Hall, which was reconstructed in the 19th century from 14th-century merchants’ stalls.

• Still in Cracow, see the Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364, and one of the oldest in Europe. Cracow’s former Jewish quarter, Kazimierz, houses the Remuh Synagogue (1553). Overlooking the city is Wawel Castle, with the world’s largest collection of 16th-century tapestries and, beside it, the gothic cathedral (website: www.krakow.pl/en).

• Discover the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Of the 350km (217 miles) of corridors, 2km (1.2 miles) are accessible to visitors. The tourist route is 64 to 135m (209 to 443ft) underground and passes through impressive chambers, bas-reliefs, chandeliers and a chapel sculpted in the salt (website: www.kopalnia.pl).

• See the Icon of the Black Madonna,also known as the miraculous painting of Our Lady,in the huge Jasna Góra monastery complex at Czestochowa, 100km (60 miles) north of Kraków (reputed to have been painted by St Luke) (website: www.jasnagora.pl).

• Locate Wroclaw(Breslau)’s 100 bridges, many of which cross canals or connect 12 of the cities islands. Important sights include the 15th-century Town Hall, now the Historical Museum; the Ethnographic Museum in the Royal Palace; and the Cathedral on Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island) (website: www.wroclaw.pl).

• Head to Gdansk to see the largest gothic church in Poland: St Mary’s Basilica. The beach resort at nearby Sopot has Europe’s longest pier (500m/1,640ft). Within easy reach are the forested Hel Peninsula, the Kashubian Lakeland, and the Teutonic castles at Malbork and Gniew.

• Experience the medieval walled town of Torun by walking through the gothic Old Town (website: www.torun.pl).

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Top things to do

• Go to the theatre in any of the major cities where there will be local or national companies in residence.

•Hike in some of Poland’s national parks and nature reserves. Nature enthusiasts can visit the Kampinos National Park, near Warsaw. Further afield, Bieszczady National Park,part of the Carpathian mountain range, contains the surviving fragments of the Great Bieszczady Forest, home to the brown bear, lynx, wolf and wildcat.

• Discover the Bialowieza National Park (website: www.bpn.com.pl); it is the last major refuge of the European bison as well as being home to many other rare forest-dwelling species and trees over 400 years old. Nature trails, cycling and exploring with a ranger are on offer.

• Jump on a horse. Horses have traditionally been popular in Poland and horse riding enthusiasts have a large choice of riding schools to choose from. Polish stud farms are internationally renowned and welcome guests. Inexperienced riders may prefer riding a Hucul - a very rare Polish mountain pony.

• Pick mushrooms in the early autumn in any unprotected forested regions. Mushroom picking has been a Polish tradition for centuries and several delicious varieties exist.

•Climb or ski in the Tatras. Zakopane is a centre for climbing and winter sports where a fairytale atmosphere pervades with its ‘gingerbread’ wooden cottages; some inhabitants still wear traditional Goralskie dress. Visit the beautiful Koscieliska Valley, the mountain of Kasprowy Wierchand the glacial lake Morskie Oko.

• Ride in a horse-drawn sleigh and be sure to have either warmed beer or heated honey vodka afterwards. Snow falls throughout Poland so these types of rides are on offer throughout the country.

• Escape to the beach resorts of the Pomeranian coast, such as Kolobrzeg (large and fashionable) or Leba (with a beach of fabulous white sand). The beach connects to the Slowinski National Park (website: www.slowinskipn.pl),known for its giant ‘wandering sand dunes’ which can shift several metres each year.

• Head further east to the Hel Peninsula, which also has some good beaches and camp sites.

•Sail a boat in the Mazurian Lake District (consisting of over 1,000 lakes), also a favourite angling destination. A popular lake-trail can take you through several lakes and canals. Local towns such as Mikolajki and Gizycko host sea shanty festivals and other lively events.

• Slip into the water in a canoe in the Brodnica or Mysliborz lakelands, or the rivers Brda, Czarna Hancza and Obra.

• Pay tribute to the victims of the holocaust at Oswiecim-Birkenau (Auschwitz-Birkenau) concentration camp, 70km (43 miles) from Cracow. It’s a sobering experience, but helps give you perspective on a grave and sensitive historical time (website: www.auschwitz.org.pl).

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Business

Statistics

•GDP: US$265.4 billion (2006).
•Main exports: Machinery, transport, food and live animals.
•Main imports: Minerals, fuels, lubricants, chemicals and intermediate manufactured goods.
•Main trade partners: Germany, Italy, France, UK and China.

Economy

With the collapse of the communist system at the end of the 1980s, Poland adopted the ‘big bang’ strategy of rapid transition to a market economy: price controls (including subsidies) were removed at a stroke; production, distribution and trade were deregulated; large parts of the economy were privatised using a voucher system; the tax and fiscal systems were overhauled; and the national currency (the Zloty) was made fully convertible. By 2000, the private sector accounted for 70% of GDP.

Poland became a full member of the European Union on 1 May 2004 as one of 10 new entrants. The decision to join was endorsed by 77% of the electorate in a June 2003 national referendum.

Unemployment in 2006 was 14.9%, which was a decline of over 2% since 2005. Inflation also decreased from 0.7% in 2005 to 0.1% in 2006. Annual economic growth in 2006 was 5.8% showing an increase in previous years. Another possible factor for the decline in unemployment might be attributed the numbers of Poles leaving to find work in other countries. This phenomenon has led to a ‘brain drain’ where many qualified workers within various fields have left the country to make a living.

Business Etiquette

In Poland, a formal approach is favoured and it is therefore advisable to address an associate with a title and surname unless there is an established rapport.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1700; traditionally offices were open from 0700-1500.

Commercial Information

Krajowa Izba Gospodarcza (Polish Chamber of Commerce)
Ulica Trebacka 4, 00-074 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: (022) 630 9639/57.
Website: www.kig.pl

Conferences & Conventions

The most popular conference venues are in Warsaw. Events are also hosted in Cracow, while Gdansk, Wroclaw and other towns are used occasionally.

Communications

Telephone

Country code: 48. Telephone cards can be purchased from post offices, newsagents and hotel receptions for local calls.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies; most of the country is covered.

Internet

There are many Internet cafes in cities as well as Wi-Fi areas in hotels and certain public spaces.

Media

State-owned TV (TVP) still has the largest share of the audience for its two national channels. It also operates regional programmes and the international satellite channels. TVN operates the leading commercial TV channels. Polsat also operates a digital pay-TV platform and is present in the Baltic states. Up to a quarter of Poles also watch foreign television channels through cable or satellite. State-owned Polish Radio reaches just over half of the population and there are more than 200 stations on the air. There are more than 300 newspapers, most of them local or regional. Although fewer people in Poland may be connected to broadband connections than those in other EU countries (due to a delay in infrastructure in rural areas), freedom of the press and communications availability is held as an important priority.

Post

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800; some offices are open on Saturday until 1400. The main post offices in major cities are open daily, 24 hours.

Press

• The principal dailies are Gazeta Wyborcza, Rzeczpospolita and Super Express.
• The biggest selling daily, Fakt, is a relative newcomer tabloid.
• Weeklies include Gazeta Polska, Polityka and Wprost.
• English-language publications include The Warsaw Voice (weekly) and The New Warsaw Express (weekly).

Radio

• Public broadcaster Polish Radio operates five national networks and many regional stations.
• Radio Polonia is a public, external service.
• RMF FM and Radio Zet are commercial stations.

Climate

Temperate with warm summers, crisp, sunny autumns and cold winters. Snow covers the mountainous area in the south of Poland (mid December to April). Rain falls throughout the year.

Required Clothing

Light- to mediumweights are worn during warmer months. Medium- to heavyweights are needed during winter. Rainwear is advisable all year.

Map

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