Facts and Trivia

Total Area: 312,685 sq km (117,400 sq ml); Geographic coordinates: 52 00 N, 20 00 E. Poland is situated in Central Europe, East from Germany, West from Russia, South from Carpathian Mountains and North from Baltic sea; Compare - Germany: 357,021 sq km, Czech Republic: 78,866 sq km

Border countries:: (clockwise from Baltic see): Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Lithuania 91 km, Belarus 407 km, Ukraine 526 km, Slovakia 444 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456 km, coastline (Baltic sea) 491 km

Read more: Poland: Basic Information

Everything you need to know about Poles in the nutshell - is in this book written by Ewa Lipniacka: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Poles. For all that want to date somebody Polish, to understand his/her Polish family or in-laws better and for there who are going to travel to Poland - this book is a right one. It is not only full of practical information but also very interestingly written and full of sense of humor.

Read more: The Xenophobe's Guide to the Poles

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions and related answers about this subject. If you have any questions about this subject that aren't answered below, feel free to join us at the Polish Culture Forum.

Q: Where is Poland located?

Geographically, Poland is not in the Eastern Europe. It is in the very center of Europe. Historically Poland was always a bridge between Western and Eastern tradition, culture, religions and cuisine. Read more about it in General Information about Poland - Truth and Stereotypes.

Read more: FAQ about Poland

One eye on the rearview mirror, but full steam ahead. Although the author was describing other Europeans, these words from Gunter Grass' novel, My Century, make me think of Poland.

Yes, they obviously make me think of a country that cherishes its history and culture while moving steadily toward a better future. In fact, if you read enough books on Poland, the words "romantic, proud, spirited, and devout" are some of the common nice words used to describe Poles (sometimes by themselves, to distinguish themselves from their spineless, heathen neighbors). Is this description true? I can only give you my own broad impressions of a country I find both frustrating and uniquely wonderful.

Read more: Polish Character and Manners through Eyes of American Observer