Geography

Climate

Geography

Poland is one of the larger countries in Europe (land area of 312, 638 sq. km makes it the 9th largest country in Europe and the 66th in the world). The country is situated in the very heart of Europe. The country was reorganized administratively in 1999 and is now divided into 16 provinces (voivodships), each administered by a govenor. The territory of Poland is compact, resembling a circle and lying in the basin of the Vistula (the longest Polish river - 1047 km) and Oder rivers. This is the European Lowlands between the Baltic Sea and the arc of the Carpathian Mountains. Farther to the south lies Oplonek Peak. To the north is the Rozewie Cape. The major historical cities of Warsaw, Krakow, Sandomierz, Kazimierz, Plock, Torun and Gdansk were built along the Vistula river. Modern architecture coexists with 800 year old historical quarters: like the Old towns of Warsaw and Gdansk, Krakow's center, and the market places of Kazimierz and Sandomierz.

With recent changes in this part of the continent, Poland's neighbors are: to the east and north - Russia, Lithuania, Belorussia and Ukraine; to the south - the Czech Republic and Slovakia; and Germany to the west.

Climate

The geographical location and surface features are the two most important factors determining the climate of Poland. Winters are sometimes mild and sometimes cold. The summers are cool and rainy or hot and dry. As a result of its geographical location in Europe, seasons generally enter Poland not from the south or north, but rather from the west (spring) and from the east (winter). Only summer enters the country from the south.

Source: Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network
Map provided by: The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe

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