A geographically and economically accessible country
Poland has been a member of the European Union since 2004, and is part of the Schengen area, making it easily accessible for European nationals. Just 2.5 hours by plane from Paris, it's easy to get to Poland: all you need is an identity card. Many low-cost airlines now offer tickets at very affordable prices. Another option for getting to Poland is by train. However, the journey can be very long (17 hours on average), with connections (particularly in Germany), and tickets are still very expensive... The bus or car option is still quite feasible for overland travel to Poland. Once again, travel time is long (15 to 16 hours for the car, 23 hours on average for the bus) and the cost unattractive. Despite its environmental impact, air travel remains the preferred mode of transport from an economic and practical point of view. Beyond its geographical accessibility, Poland is a very attractive destination financially. The cost of living in the country is lower than in most euro zone countries. Moreover, Poland is not part of this zone and has its own currency, the złoty.
The symphony of Polish landscapes: the mountains
One thing's for sure: Poland's diverse panoramas will appeal to the widest possible range of travelers. Mountains, plains, lakes, seaside resorts, small villages or large metropolises, there's something for everyone. In terms of relief, the country is relatively flat, but does have some mountainous regions. In the south-west, the Sudeten mountain range stretches for 300 km, bordering Poland and the Czech Republic. On the Polish side, it includes the popular winter sports resort of Zakopane. The Carpathians and Tatras are the country's other main mountain ranges. They are also home to Poland's highest peak, Mount Rysy, at 2,503 m above sea level. In the Lower Silesia region, in the south-west of the country, the Giant Mountains massif reveals Mount Śnieżka, which rises to 1,602 m above sea level. In fact, it is the largest mountain in the Giant Mountains, with the border between Poland and the Czech Republic running through its summit. This region is full of discoveries, including medieval castles such as Książ (the largest in Lower Silesia) and Bolków.
The symphony of Polish landscapes: rivers, lakes and sea
Poland is criss-crossed by numerous rivers, the most important of which are the Vistula and the Oder. They are the longest rivers in Poland, and flow through many of the country's major cities. The Vistula, 1,047 km long, rises in the Beskid Mountains and flows through the country via the cities of Krakow, Warsaw, Toruń and Bydgoszcz. The river ends its course at Gdańsk, where it flows into the Baltic Sea. The Vistula is of vital importance to the country, both for agricultural and economic activities. In the west of the country, the Oder marks part of the border with Germany. This river is a major freight corridor, playing a key role in trade with other Central European countries. It, too, flows into the Baltic Sea and crosses various regions such as Lower Silesia and Western Pomerania. Beyond the main rivers, numerous tributaries, rivers and streams criss-cross Poland, contributing to the country's water wealth and biodiversity. Poland's abundant lakes (especially in the north-east) are also fantastic places to visit. The Masurian region, known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes", is home to magnificent stretches of crystal-clear water, dotted with verdant islands. It's a paradise for lovers of fishing, water sports, swimming and strolling along the water's edge. Finally, the Baltic Sea and the beaches, dunes and cliffs that line the coastline offer a picturesque coastal landscape. The coastline stretches some 528 km and is dotted with seaside towns, of which Sopot is the most famous. The Hel peninsula, at the northern end of the coast, is a popular spot for water sports and summer relaxation. Over the centuries, Poland's watery panoramas have inspired numerous artists, poets and writers.
The symphony of Polish landscapes: forests
Poland is home to some real natural treasures, including sumptuous forests teeming with biodiversity. These precious environments are for the most part protected thanks to the existence of numerous nature reserves, protected geographical areas and national parks across the country. The Białowieża National Park, located on the border between Poland and Belarus, is the most notable. Indeed, it is home to an exceptional primary forest, preserved from human exploitation until now. It is famous for the bison that populate its woods, as well as for its abundant flora and fauna. Poland's national parks are diverse, protecting a multitude of natural environments. In addition to forest reserves, you can also discover unspoilt coastal, marshy and mountainous environments.
Administrative division of the country
In Poland, there are three levels of administration below the state, each contributing in its own way to the smooth running of the country. At the top of the administrative hierarchy are the voivodeships. There are sixteen of them, each headed by a voivode (prefect, local representative of the Council of Ministers) and a president (known as the "marshal"). He is the highest representative of the voivodship and is elected by an absolute majority of the regional council. The voivodships' sphere of action extends to the local level, notably through the implementation of regional economic, health and education policies. They are also responsible for managing regional funds. Below them are the powiats, territorial divisions below the voivodships. There are 379 of them in the country, governed by a council elected by direct universal suffrage and responsible for specific local affairs. The powiats are empowered to take administrative and legislative decisions on issues such as town planning, transport, social services and culture. Executive power is exercised by the staroste, elected by the powiat council itself. Finally, at the level even below the powiats are the gminas, which are, in reality, the smallest administrative units in Poland. There are 2,478 of them in the country, and they can vary in size. A gmina can be described as "urban" when it includes a town, "semi-urban" when it includes a town, villages and surrounding rural areas, or "rural" when it does not include a town. Their responsibilities include local administration, through the provision of basic services such as water, sanitation, schools, road maintenance and some cultural services. Each gmina has a council and a mayor elected by direct universal suffrage. This administrative structure decentralizes power and enables decisions to be taken at different levels. It also encourages citizen participation by involving local residents in local politics.
