A country known for its war past and for having established itself as a democratic republic only in 1989. This is Poland , which is still a destination little explored by tourists, but which has a lot to offer in terms of history and culture.
Officially, the name of the country is Republic of Poland and the local language is Polish, also called the Polish language, spoken by about 60 million people and close to the Slovak and Czech language.
The country’s capital is Warsaw and its time zone is +4 hours compared to Brasília time and +5 hours during daylight saving time, which in 2018 takes place from March 25 to October 28.
The state is in a zone of moderate climate, which means that the cold days, which extend from October to April, are full of frost, snow and temperatures that reach -20ºC. On the other hand, hot days can reach 30ºC, especially in July.
Currency and flag
Despite joining the European Union since 2004, the currency adopted by the country is the Polish Zloty , whose unit is equivalent to approximately R $ 1.05. The nation is democratic and the president has been Andrzej Duda since 2015. The mandate of the head of state lasts five years.
The flag has been in use since 1919 and consists of two horizontal stripes, one white and one red, which are the colors of the Polish-Lithuanian Community’s coat of arms. The country has been part of the Schengen Area since 2007.
| Polish flag description The national flag of Poland is divided horizontally into white and red, the state flag used on formal occasions also shows the Polish national emblem in the center of the white band. The red color was introduced after the 1919 flag is not defined initially. In 1921, by the Ministry of Military Affairs the brochure “emblem and flag of the Republic of Poland” was published, it was defined in purple. However, 1928 was the Polish president that Vermilion is the correct tone. This color was maintained until 1980, before the Polish Parliament on the colors of the flag of the 31 January 1980 stipulated by the standards of the International Lighting Commission for red. History of the Polish flag Since the beginning of the 13th century, the white eagle is the symbol of Poland. In conjunction with the red shield that laid the foundation for many flags and flags of the country and its rulers. As of 1815, the ex-Duchy of Warsaw was such a Polish Congress in personal union with the Russian Empire. This was also on the flag. The white Polish eagle was in the making on a red background on a white flag with the blue cross Saint Andrew, the symbol of Tsarist Russia. This flag remained until 1918 exists. During the November Uprising 1830-1831 used Poland is now known as the white and red flag. During the January Uprising in 1863, we added another layer of weapons to the white belt. The current flag was approved on 1 August 1919 officially introduced. When introduced it was indistinguishable from the old Czechoslovak flag only by aspect ratio, but the latter was changed 1920. During the German occupation during World War II it used the Polish Home Army, the white and red flag with the addition of the so-called Kotwica. After the war, the old flag was restored on March 20, 1956 |
History of Poland
The Piast dynasty was responsible for the foundation of Poland in the 10th century. In the year 966 Christianity was adopted and the monarchy was established.
Later, in the 12th century, the country fragmented into several smaller states, which were devastated by the Mongol armies of the Golden Horde. In 1320 Poland was reunified and during the Jaquelônica dynasty, which began in the 14th century and continued until the 18th, it allied with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, starting the Polish-Lithuanian Community in 1569.
It was during this period that Poland began to expand its borders and grow culturally. It was like a continuation of Jagiellon prosperity, in which democracy developed and became more sophisticated.
Decline and sharing
Poland’s decline began in the 17th century, when the Swedish “flood” and the Chmielnicki Cossack revolt devastated the country and deteriorated the system of government, leading to near-anarchy controlled by neighbors.
All attempts at reform were thwarted by Poland’s three divisions in the years 1772, 1793 and 1795, which led to the territorial division between Russia, Prussia and Austria.
The growing Polish rebellions led Napoleon to reestablish a state called the Duchy of Warsaw in 1807. It did not work, since the Napoleonic wars led to the partition of the country again in 1815.
Second Polish Republic
There was no independent Polish state from 1795 to 1918. It was during the First World War that the Allies decided to reestablish Poland, which regained independence in 1918 and led to the formation of the Second Polish Republic.
In 1926 the coup handed the republic over to the Sanacja movement, which sought a clean policy in the country, until the outbreak of World War II in 1939.
Nazi and Soviet troops invaded the country that year and Poland was again shared, this time in two zones – one occupied by Germany and the other by the Soviet Union.
More than six million Poles died during the war, half of them Jews. The country’s borders were moved towards the end of the war in the western direction, and the new state emerged 20% smaller in territory.
Post-war and Warsaw Pact
The Yalta Conference sanctioned, in 1945, the formation of a new Polish government, which was provisional, pro-communist and analogous to most governments in the rest of the Eastern Bloc.
On May 14, 1955, the Warsaw Pact was created, a military alliance formed by the socialist countries of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.
The treaty was signed in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, in contrast to NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Its main actions were to suppress internal revolts within member countries.
People’s Republic of Poland
The People’s Republic of Poland was proclaimed in 1952 and in 1956 the government became more liberal, a situation that was repeated in the 1970s. Apart from these periods, the persecution against anti-communist groups was strong and continuous.
In 1989 Lech Walesa, candidate for the independent Solidarity union, won the parliamentary elections. With that, Poland again saw financial growth and improvements in human rights.
Polish Economy
The tertiary sector represents 63.6% of GDP and 59.8% of jobs for the active population. Highlights include financial services, logistics, hotels, public utilities and information technology.
The manufacturing industry contributes almost 34% of GDP and employs 29.6%, the main areas being the manufacture of machinery, telecommunications, the environment, transport, civil construction, industrial food processing and information technology.
Finally, agriculture represents less than 3% of GDP and employs 11% of the population. Poland produces rye, potatoes, beets, wheat and dairy products, in addition to pig and sheep farming. It is also rich in natural resources, such as coal, sulfur, copper, lead and zinc.
In 2017 the economy grew 4.6%, according to OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). It is the sixth largest economy in the European Union, and the World Bank expects growth in 2018 to be 4%, followed by 2.5% in 2019.
Sights of Poland
The capital Warsaw suffered from the Second World War and was completely destroyed, but its historic center has been reconstructed to the smallest detail and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Levante Museum and the Royal Castle are also worth a visit. In Krakow, one of the main cities, the highlights are the Old Town, Basilica of Santa Maria, Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, Wawel Castle and the Wieliczka Salt Mines.
Gdansk is famous for Mariacka Street, a millenary street that will take you straight to the past and which houses a museum about Cornélio Procópio, historic buildings, art galleries and the Church of Santa Maria.
Trivia about Poland
Poland is a must for history lovers. Know some curiosities about this country.
1. Poland is the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla, better known as Pope John Paul II, one of the most beloved popes in history. He was born in Wadowice in 1920 and entered the Krakow seminary in 1942.
2. The damage caused by the war caused many Poles to come to Brazil, mainly to Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná. It is estimated that 3.5 million Brazilians are of Polish descent.
3. Sausages, pork neck, beetroot soup, sauerkraut with sausage, steak and pierogi (a typical baked pastry) are part of the traditional menu, accompanied by honey wine, beer and vodka.
4. Poles love beer and it is estimated that each citizen of the country consumes 92 liters of the drink per year . However, it is prohibited by law to consume alcoholic beverages in public areas.
5. The law also requires companies to offer employees Monday off when a holiday falls over the weekend.