Poland is a country full of history, culture and traditions. Poles are a nation proud of its identity, but also open to the world and new experiences. What’s more, the Polish passport is in the top ten most coveted passports worldwide! Therefore, if you would like to find out more about the possibility of obtaining Polish citizenship, we encourage you to visit https://fivetoeurope.com/polish-citizenship-by-descent/. We will present you with 10 interesting facts about Poland and Poles that may surprise or inspire you to visit this beautiful country!
1. Poland has the highest number of Nobel Prize winners in Central and Eastern Europe
Poland can boast up to 18 Nobel Prize winners who were Polish or born in Poland. 7 in literature, 4 in physics, 4 in chemistry, 2 in medicine, and 1 in peace. They include such well-known figures as Maria Skłodowska-Curie, Henryk Sienkiewicz, Wisława Szymborska and Lech Wałęsa. Poland is also the only country in the world where two Nobel Prize winners in chemistry were married – Marie and Peter Curie.
2. Poland is one of the oldest countries in Europe
Poland is one of the oldest countries in Europe that has maintained its uninterrupted sovereignty and territorial continuity. Poland’s first historical lord, Mieszko I, was baptized in 966, which is considered the beginning of Polish statehood. Since then, Poland has endured many border changes, unifications, partitions, and occupations without losing its national and cultural identity.
3. Poland has the largest amount of forests in Europe
Poland is one of the most forested countries in Europe, with more than 30% of its area covered by forests. These include unique ecosystems such as the Białowieża Forest – the last lowland primeval forest in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Poland also offers the beauty of mountain forests, such as the Bieszczady and the Tatra Mountains.
4. Poland is the cradle of many inventions and discoveries
Poland is a country of many inventors and discoverers who have contributed to the development of science and technology in the world. Some of the Polish inventions include the paraffin lamp (Ignacy Łukasiewicz), the radio microscope (Jan Czochralski), the bullet-proof waistcoat (Jan Szczepanik and Kazimierz Żegleń), the walkie-talkie (Hendryk Manguski) or car wipers (Józef Hofmann).
5. Poland is also a country of great music
Poland is a country of great music, which has won the hearts of listeners all over the world. The most famous Polish composer is undoubtedly Frederic Chopin, considered one of the greatest geniuses of piano music. His works are played on the most important stages and music festivals, and his heart rests in the Church of the Holy Cross in Warsaw. Other famous Polish composers are Stanisław Moniuszko, Karol Szymanowski, Witold Lutosławski, and Krzysztof Penderecki. Poland is also a country of many outstanding musicians and bands, such as Janusz Olejniczak, Artur Rubinstein, Krystian Zimerman, Adam Makowicz, Czesław Niemen, Marek Grechuta, Dżem, Lady Pank, Maanam, Perfect or Kult.
6. Poland is a country rich in monuments and art
Poland is a country rich in monuments and art, which testify to its rich history and culture. Poland is home to as many as 17 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, such as the Old Town of Kraków, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, the Wawel Royal Castle, Malbork Castle, Muskauer Park, the Copernicus Science Centre or the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. In Poland, you can also admire the works of great artists, such as Jan Matejko, Stanisław Wyspiański, Jacek Malczewski, Tamara Łempicka, Władysław Strzemiński or Magdalena Abakanowicz.
7. In Poland we eat very tasty
Poland is a country of delicious food that pleases the palates of Poles and tourists alike. Polish cuisine is varied and rich in traditional dishes such as pierogi, bigos, żurek, golabki, kotlet schabowy or barszcz. In the country on the Vistula, you can also try many regional specialties, such as oscypek from Podhale, black pudding from Upper Silesia, dumplings from Poznań or sękacz from Warmia and Masuria. Finally, Poland is also a country famous for producing high-quality spirits, such as vodka, beer or wine.
8. Poland is a country of beautiful nature
Poland is a country of beautiful nature, which delights with its charm and diversity. In Poland, you can find all types of landscapes: from sea to mountains, from lakes to forests, from plains to hills. We can also find many species of animals and plants in our country, some of which are endemic or threatened with extinction. Examples include the European bison – the largest land animal in Europe, living in the Białowieża Forest; the Polish horse – a wild horse of ancient origin; the white stork – a symbol of happiness and fertility; and the lesser spotted eagle – the rarest bird of prey in Europe.
9. Poland has many castles and palaces
Poland is the country with the largest number of castles and palaces in the whole of Europe! According to various estimates, there are between 2,000 and even 4,000 of them, and most of them date from the Middle Ages and modern times. The most famous castles are the Royal Castle in Warsaw, the Wawel Castle in Krakow, the Castle on the Water in Pszczyna and the Książ Castle in Wałbrzych.
10. Poland is the largest importer of apples in Europe!
Poland is one of the largest producers and exporters of apples in the world and the largest in Europe. In 2019, it produced more than 4 million tonnes of apples, which accounted for around 25% of global production. The largest buyers of Polish apples are in turn Germany, Russia, and Belarus, although, with the war in Ukraine, such a classification will change.
