Poland Country Handbook 1. This handbook provides basic reference information on Poland, including its geography, history, government, military forces, and communications and transportation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military personnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their assignment to Poland. 2. This product is published under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Defense Intelligence Production Program (DoDIPP). This handbook has been published as a joint effort within the Department of Defense (DoD). This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Production Community position on Poland. 3. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and government personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, NATO member countries, and other countries as required and designated for support of coalition operations. 4. The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research, comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for training. Further dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this document, to include excerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code. CONTENTS KEY FACTS . 1 U.S. MISSION . 2 U.S. Embassy . 2 U.S. Consulate . 3 U.S. Consular Agency . 3 Entry Requirements . 3 Passport and Visa Requirements . 3 Customs Restrictions . 5 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE . 5 Geography . 5 Land Statistics . 5 Boundaries . 5 Topography . 7 Coastline . 8 Forests. 9 Mountains . 9 Lakes . 9 Land Use . 9 Climate . 10 Drainage . 13 Environment . 14 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION . 15 Transportation . 15 Roads . 15 iii Contents (Continued) Rail . 15 Air . 17 Maritime . 18 Merchant Marine . 20 Ferries . 20 Communication . 21 Radio and Television . 21 Telecommunications . 22 Newspapers and Magazines . 22 Postal Services . 23 Internet . 23 CULTURE . 23 Statistics . 23 Society . 24 Education and Literacy Rates . 24 Language . 24 Religion . 25 Jews. 26 Tatar Muslims . 27 Customs and Courtesies . 27 Greetings . 27 Courtesies . 27 Dress . 28 Visiting . 28 Working . 28 Dining . 29 Sports . 29 Major Cities . 29 Warsaw . 29 Lodz . 30 Krakow . 30 iv Contents (Continued) Wroclaw . 31 Poznan . 32 Gdansk . 32 MEDICAL ASSESSMENT . 33 Infectious Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel. 33 Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases . 33 Vectorborne Diseases . 33 Sexually Transmitted Diseases . 33 Respiratory Diseases. 34 Water Contact Diseases . 34 Animal Contact Diseases . 34 Medical Capabilities . 34 Key Medical Facilities . 36 HISTORY . 37 Chronology of Key Events . 41 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS . 41 Government . 41 Key Government Officials . 42 Executive Branch . 42 Legislative Branch . 42 Judicial Branch . 43 Suffrage . 43 Local Government . 43 Politics . 43 Political Parties . 44 Foreign Relations . 46 Border Disputes . 49 ECONOMY . 49 Statistics . 49 Natural Resources . 50 v Contents (Continued) Industry . 51 Raw Materials . 51 Reform . 53 Energy . ..