Country's full name: The Republic of Poland
National flag: Color: top - white, bottom - red
National banner: flag with national emblem - national symbol used by ships, civil air ports, diplomatic missions and consular posts
National emblem: White eagle in a crown against a red background
National anthem: "Mazurek Dabrowskiego"/"Dombrowski's Mazurka"; click here to download a mp3 file [660 kB]
Language: Polish
Population: 38, 6 mln in the year 2000 (based on GUS data www.stat.gov.pl)
Time: GMT/UTC plus one hour
Capital city: Warsaw - 1,7 mln. citizens
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::: Territory
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Although Poland's topography is characterised mainly by lowland plains, its variable landscape includes important mountain chains, such as the Sudety and Tatra Mountains. Hundreds of freshwater lakes are hidden away in the northern part of the country: the Pomeranian and Mazurian Lake Districts are set amidst picturesque hills and primeval forests. Touching the Baltic Sea in the north, Poland offers 528 km of coastline with sandy beaches.
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total area of the country - 312,685 km2 (120,727sqm)
- territorial sea - 8,7 thousands km2
Poland is the 9th biggest country in Europe, and 63rd in the world.
Map of Poland
Neighbouring countries (border length):
- Russia (Kaliningrad District) (210 km)
- Lithuania (103 km)
- Byelorussia (416 km)
- Ukraine (529 km)
- Slovakia (539 km)
- Czech Republic (790 km)
- Germany (467 km)
- Length of sea border (528 km)
Total length of national border 3582 km
Click to download a zipped version of a full scale map of Poland (NOTE: FILE SIZE 923 KB).
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::: Climate
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Continental; moderate, changeable weather.
Average temperatures:
- January:
on the coast and the West from 0 to -1°
North-East from - 4,5° to - 5,5°
In the mountains (South) - 7°
- July:
on the coast 16,5°
In the South 19°
Average annual rainfall: 600 mm
Check the weather forecast for Poland
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::: Monetary unit / Currency
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Foreign currencies can be brought into Poland without any restrictions. You can change your money at a bank or at a small cash-changing place, called "kantor". Kantors actually give better exchange rates than banks, but they only handle cash. They generally charge no fees. They can be found at railway stations, in shopping areas, in hotels, almost everywhere.
In smaller cities kantors usually handle only the most popular currencies (USD and DM). In big cities you can exchange almost every Western European currency. Banks change travellers checks at a small commission (1% - 3%). Banks which have branches in almost all Polish towns are PEKAO S.A. and PKO BP.
It is possible for foreigners to open an account in Polish banks, but you can also take Polish money in cash from automated-teller machines (the so-called BANKOMAT which are placed in the streets) using a card from a foreign bank. It is strongly advised for incoming students to visit their own bank before going to Poland, and make sure that the card they have can be used in automated-teller machines abroad.
Credit Cards
American Express, Master Card, Visa and other credit cards can be used to pay in hotels, in restaurants, travel agencies, gas stations and in larger stores.
Money
1 złoty (translation: "gold") = 100 groszy
There are 5 notes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 zloty. There are 9 coins: 1, 2 & 5 zloty, and also 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 & 50 groszy.
Banknotes and Coins
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::: Cost of living
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| | Price in zlotys
(1 EURO = 4 zlotys) |
| dinner in the university canteen | 5 - 10 |
| dinner in the city centre (grill bar, small restaurant) | 10 - 30 |
| coffee in the city centre | 4 - 10 |
| single tram/bus/subway ticket | 4 - 10 |
| tram/bus/subway ticket (per month) | 63 |
| theatre/cinema ticket | 15 - 30 |
| a loaf of bread | 1.5 - 2 |
| 1 litre of milk | 1.5 - 2.5 |
| 1 litre of orange juice | 3 - 4 |
| 1 kilo of apples | 1.5 - 3 |
| 1 kilo of oranges | 3.5 - 4 |
| 1 kilo of cheese | 10 - 20 |
| 1 kilo of ham | 15 - 25 |
| a bar of chocolate | 2 - 4 |
| a postcard
| 1 - 5 |
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::: The general consular information
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::: Getting around
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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ON ARRIVAL
Legally and duty-free, you can bring in all sorts of goods. If you are over 18, you can bring in alcohol (0.5 L of the hard stuff, 2 L of wine, or 5 L of beer) and smokes (250 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 g of tobacco). Otherwise, you can bring in prescription medicines, gifts, and personal items. The last includes the normal electronic equipment one might have if travelling for pleasure or business (mobile phones, still and video cameras, laptops, accompanying peripherals, etc.). It also includes jewelry, walkmans or binoculars, provided that you take all such items with you when you depart.
You can also bring any amount of foreign currency, which you need to declare upon entry.
As for living creatures, you can bring your healthy (vet-certified, in Polish) pet with you as long as it is not a parrot. If you bring a dog, it must be vaccinated against rabies 30 days prior to your trip.
HOW TO GET ROUND WITHIN POLAND
Poland is covered by a dense network of rail and coach services which provide easy access to almost any place you can find on the map. To find out more about train schedules, look at the
Polish State Railway interactive timetable.
Using public transport in major cities is another convenient method of getting around. In most cases you can use a one day travel card which gives you access to the city integrated transport network. Please remember to punch your ticket on your first trip during the day.
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::: Important telephone numbers
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| Police | 997 |
| Fire Alarm | 998 |
| Ambulance 999 | 999 |
| Road Assistance | 981 |
| Lost/stolen credit cards | (022) 611 30 00 |
| Telegram | 905 |
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::: Calling home
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PRICES:
| Calling from Poland to | The actual price per minute |
| USA, Canada, Australia | 2,00 zł= ca. 0,506 euro |
| 15 countries of UE | 1,20 zł=0,304 euro |
| The rest of european countries | 1,20 zł=0,304 euro |
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Polish site