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Poland

Piast kingdom, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, partitions, WWII devastation and post-communist democracy.

Overview

Christianized in 966, Poland was joined with Lithuania in 1385 into one of early-modern Europe's largest states. Partitioned in the 18th century and devastated in WWII, it re-emerged from communism in 1989.

Basic Information

CapitalWarsaw

Population37 million

Area312,696 km²

CurrencyPolish złoty (PLN)

LanguagesPolish

RegionEastern Europe & Eurasian Steppe

History Timeline

966Baptism of Mieszko I
1385Union with Lithuania
1569Union of Lublin creates the Commonwealth
1772 – 1795Three Partitions
1918Independence restored
1939 – 1945Nazi and Soviet occupation
1989End of communist rule

Ancient Peoples

West Slavs
Polans

Ancient Kingdoms

Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Empires

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

Religions

Roman Catholicism
Judaism (historical)

Culture

Copernicus, Chopin, Mickiewicz and Solidarity.

Language

Polish is a West Slavic language.

Important Battles

Battle of Grunwald1410
Polish-Lithuanian defeat of Teutonic Knights
Siege of Vienna1683
Sobieski relieves the city
Warsaw Uprising1944
Anti-Nazi resistance

Historical Figures

Casimir the Great

1333 – 1370

Reformer king

John III Sobieski

1674 – 1696

Savior of Vienna

Lech Wałęsa

b. 1943

Solidarity leader

Archaeological Sites

Biskupin
Krzemionki flint mines

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Historic Kraków
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Auschwitz-Birkenau
Malbork Castle

Dynasties

Piast
Jagiellon

Colonial Period

Never a colonizer.

Modern History

EU and NATO member since 1999/2004.