LocationCentral Europe.
Area312,685 sq km (120,728 sq miles).
Population38.1 million (official estimate 2006).
Population Density122.3 per sq km.
CapitalWarsaw.
Population: 1.7 million (official estimate 2006).
GovernmentRepublic since 1918.
LanguagePolish is the official language. There are a few small German-speaking communities primarily in the southwest. English and Russian are also spoken.
ReligionMore than 95% Roman Catholic; other religions include
Polish Autocephalous Orthodox, Russian and Greek Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim.
TimeGMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity220 volts AC, 50Hz; continental sockets.
Head of GovernmentJaroslaw Kaczynski since 2006.
Head of StatePresident Lech Kaczynski since 2005.
TelephoneCountry code: 48. Telephone cards can be purchased from post offices, newsagents and hotel receptions for local calls.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies; most of the country is covered.
InternetThere are many Internet cafes in cities as well as Wi-Fi areas in hotels and certain public spaces.
MediaState-owned TV (
TVP) still has the largest share of the audience for its two national channels. It also operates regional programs and the international satellite channels.
TVN operates the leading commercial TV channels.
Polsat also operates a digital pay-TV platform and is present in the Baltic states. Up to a quarter of Poles also watch foreign television channels through cable or satellite. State-owned
Polish Radio reaches just over half of the population and there are more than 200 stations on the air. There are more than 300 newspapers, most of them local or regional. Although fewer people in Poland may be connected to broadband connections than those in other EU countries (due to a delay in infrastructure in rural areas), freedom of the press and communications availability is held as an important priority.
PostPost office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800; some offices are open on Saturday until 1400. The main post offices in major cities are open daily, 24 hours.
PressThe principal dailies are
Gazeta Wyborcza,
Rzeczpospolita and
Super Express. The biggest selling daily,
Fakt, is a relative newcomer tabloid. Weeklies include
Gazeta Polska,
Polityka and
Wprost. English-language publications include
The Warsaw Voice (weekly) and The New Warsaw Express (weekly).
RadioPublic broadcaster
Polish Radio operates five national networks and many regional stations;
Radio Polonia is a public, external service;
RMF FM and
Radio Zet are commercial stations.
Below are listed the Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.
2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
9 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
3 May National Day.
7 Jun Corpus Christi.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
11 Nov Independence Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.
2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
3 May National Day.
22 May Corpus Christi.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
11 Nov Independence Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.
Contact Information:Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the UK47 Portland Place, London W1B 1JH, UK
Tel: 0870 774 2700.
Website:
www.polishembassy.org.uk Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630.
Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in the UK73 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6LS, UK
Tel: (020) 7291 3900
or 0870 774 2800.
Website:
www.polishconsulate.co.ukOpening hours: Mon, Tues and Fri 0930-1230, Wed 0900-1100, Thurs 1300-1600.
Polish National Tourist Office in the UKLevel 3, Westgate House, West Gate, London, W5 1YY, UK
Tel: 0870 067 5010 (brochure line).
Website:
www.visitpoland.org Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the USA2640 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 234 3800.
Website:
www.polandembassy.org Consular Division of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the USA2224 Wyoming Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 234 3800.
Polish National Tourist Office in the USA5 Marine View Plaza, Suite 208, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
Tel: (201) 420 9910.
Website:
www.polandtour.org
Next Page »
