Polish Geography
A description of the populations, climates, landscapes, and wildlife Poland.
Poland is a Central European nation along the Baltic Sea. Running clockwise from the north, it borders Russia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Germany. Overall, the country covers 117,473 square miles or 304,255 square kilometers. Its major cities include its capital, Warsaw (approx. population 1.768 million) and Krakow (767,000). The total population of Poland is estimated at 38,476,269 people.
Poland’s landscape is largely made up of flat, low grasslands interspersed with hilly forest. Its northern coast along the Baltic Sea is heavily forested and dotted with many lakes. To the south, the terrain grows flatter and drier, leading into the vast Polish Plain. The Carpathian Mountains run along the southern border. The climate of Poland is mostly temperate. Its coast along the Baltic Sea is more maritime, with mild summers and winters. The continental interior sees more seasonal variation, including snowier winters and hotter summers. In these regions, Polish people often recognize two extra seasons before spring and autumn. Its forests mainly contain trees like oak, Scots pine, spruce, and birch. The country is home to some of Europe’s most diverse wildlife. Common species include the European bison, lynx, elk, wolf, red deer, brown bear, and beaver.
References
Biskupski, Mieczysław B. The History of Poland. Greenwood Press. 2000.
Dyczewski, Leon, ed. Values in the Polish Cultural Tradition. The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy. 2002.
Hertz, Aleksander. The Jews in Polish Culture. Northwestern University Press. 1988.
“The World Factbook: Poland.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 20 June 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pl.html.
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