Poland
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Location:
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Central Europe, east of Germany |
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Background:
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Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived
around the middle of the 10th century. Its golden
age occurred in the 16th century. During the
following century, the strengthening of the gentry
and internal disorders weakened the nation, until an
agreement in 1772 between Russia, Prussia, and
Austria partitioned Poland. Poland regained its
independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany
and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a
Soviet satellite state following the war, but its
government was comparatively tolerant and
progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the
formation of the independent trade union
"Solidarity" that over time became a political force
and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and
the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the
early 1990s enabled the country to transform its
economy into one of the most robust in Central
Europe, but Poland currently suffers low GDP growth
and high unemployment. Solidarity suffered a major
defeat in the 2001 parliamentary elections when it
failed to elect a single deputy to the lower house
of Parliament, and the new leaders of the Solidarity
Trade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade
Union's political role. Poland joined NATO in 1999
and is scheduled to accede to the European Union
along with nine other states on 1 May 2004. |
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Natural hazards:
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flooding |
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Environment - current issues:
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situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in
heavy industry and increased environmental concern
by post-Communist governments; air pollution
nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur
dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and
the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage;
water pollution from industrial and municipal
sources is also a problem, as is disposal of
hazardous wastes; pollution levels should continue
to decrease as industrial establishments bring their
facilities up to European Union code, but at
substantial cost to business and the government
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Exchange rates:
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zlotych per US dollar - 3.99 (2002), 4.09 (2001),
4.35 (2000), 3.97 (1999), 3.48 (1998) |
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