Poland

Poland, a country in Central Europe, extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, and borders Lithuania and Russia to the northeast; Belarus and Ukraine to the east; Slovakia and the Czech Republic to the south; and Germany to the west. The territory has a varied landscape, diverse ecosystems, and a temperate climate. Poland is the fifth most populous member state of the European Union (EU), with over 38 million people, and the fifth largest EU country by land area, covering 312,696 km2 (120,733 sq mi). The largest cities include: Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Łódź, Poznań, and Gdańsk.

Warsaw – the capital of Poland

Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland, a major political, economic and cultural hub, and the country’s seat of government. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland. The city’s primary educational and cultural institutions comprise the University of Warsaw, the Warsaw University of Technology, the SGH Warsaw School of Economics, the Chopin University of Music, the Polish Academy of Sciences, the National Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Museum, and the Warsaw Grand Theatre, which is among the largest in Europe.

The reconstructed Old Town, which represents a variety of European architectural styles, was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Other landmarks include the Royal Castle, Sigismund’s Column, the Wilanów Palace, the Palace on the Isle, St. John’s Archcathedral, Main Market Square, and numerous churches and mansions along the Royal Route. Warsaw is a green capital, with around a quarter of the city’s area occupied by parks.

Post-conference tours – examples

Transport in Poland

Transport in Poland is provided by means of rail, road, marine shipping and air travel. The country is part of EU’s Schengen Area and is an important transport hub due to its strategic geographical position in Central Europe.

Poland by train

Poland has over 19000 kilometres (12,000 mi) of railway track, the third longest in the European Union after Germany and France. The Polish State Railways (PKP) is the dominant railway operator, with certain major voivodeships or urban areas possessing their own commuter and regional rail.

Flights to Poland

Warsaw is served by three international airports, the busiest being Warsaw Chopin, as well as Warsaw Modlin and Warsaw Radom Airport. Major public transport services operating in the city include the Warsaw Metro, buses, commuter rail service and an extensive tram network.