Poland is the tenth largest country in Europe in terms of size, with a land mass of 312,685 km². (It is also 9th in terms of population, with 38,636,000 inhabitants.)
With that much land area, there are definitely a lot of places to see and a lot of interesting people to meet.
Poland is bordered by its neighboring countries of Belarus, Germany, Lithuania, Russia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Slovakia, and a long Baltic Sea coastline. It is divided into 16 provinces, locally known as województwa or simply woj.
Tourists have to familiarize themselves with the seven woj, since tours are usually based on visiting one or two of them. The seven woj are Greater Poland, which is a birdwatcher’s paradise best visited for its inland dunes and varied landscapes; Lesser Poland, home to spectacular mountain ranges, antique salt mines, caves, historical monuments, and the medieval city of Krakow; Masovia, where the cities of Warsaw and Lodz are found; Podlachia, which is best for nature lovers since a lot of primeval forests and picturesque landscapes can be seen here; Pomerania, which is great for beach lovers and sun worshippers; and the rest of Poland, which is divided into the last two woj, Silesia and Warmia-Masuria.
Poland is a part of the Schengen states, so before you buy a ticket to the country, check if you will need a Schengen visa to get in.
The national language of Poland is Polish. On your visit to Poland, try to go with a guide, bring a dictionary, or bring someone who knows how to read Polish, because although most of the modern Poles know how to speak English, most of the street and store signs are in Polish, and you will only find English signs in the popular tourist destinations.
Most of the country folk don’t speak English, but they can speak German, Russian, or French.
If you’re bringing US electrical gadgets with you, it is recommended that you bring a voltage converter or a universal adaptor. The voltage requirement is 230V, and types C and E plugs are used.
Hello fellow travelers! My name is Mary and I am the main author of Traveling East. Just like any other travel enthusiasts, traveling has also been our passion! For inquiries, suggestions or anything travel related, please feel free to send us an E-mail at support@travelingeast.com.
