About POLAND

Poland is a country located in Central Europe on the Baltic Sea coast, famous for its middle-aged architecture and developed infrastructure. It is the fifth most populous state in Europe and one of the most popular countries for tourists and travelers. Most tourist attractions in Poland are linked to the natural environment, historical sites and cultural events.

Poland has a mixed economic system that includes a variety of private freedoms, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. At the turn of the 21st century, Poland was a market democracy, abundant in goods of all kinds, and a member of both NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the European Union (EU), more strongly allied with Western Europe than with the East. Europe but, as always, squarely between them.

History

Poland’s history spans over a thousand years, from medieval tribes to Christianization and monarchy; through Poland’s golden age, expansionism and becoming one of the greatest European powers; to its collapse and partitions, to the two world wars, to communism and the restoration of democracy.

Poland has a long and rich history. Over the past thousand years, the country has repeatedly defended its freedom and sovereignty against foreign aggression. Due to the country’s geopolitical location between East and West, Poland’s history is marked by wars and uprisings. There was a time when Poland was the largest country in Europe, but there was also a time when it was completely erased from the world map for over a hundred years. Thanks to the resilience and pride of a people who value freedom above all else, Poland not only managed to overcome the unrest, but also made its own contribution to European history and culture.

Food

Polish cuisine is rich in meat, especially pork, chicken and ham, as well as a wide range of vegetables, spices, mushrooms and herbs. In general, their national food is hearty and rich in butter, cream, eggs and abundant seasonings. Traditional dishes are very famous among Poles and tourists, that’s why everyone who comes to the country always wants to taste them.

You will be pleasantly surprised by the number of restaurants and cafes where you can taste the cuisine of different countries and enjoy their ambiance. Polish culture has incorporated elements from its neighbors and there are also many recipes of Jewish origin. Nowadays, Polish cuisine is constantly evolving, influenced by various exotic tastes. In addition to traditional restaurants specializing in Polish cuisine, restaurants serving Italian, French and Asian dishes are springing up in Polish cities and vegetarian bars.

Climate and geography

Poland is the ninth largest country in Europe and covers an area of ??312,722 square kilometers. The country borders Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and Lithuania to the northeast. To the north, it borders the Baltic Sea with its beautiful sandy beaches and clear waters, but the southeastern regions are hilly and mountainous.

Poland has a temperate climate influenced by both maritime and continental elements. Moist air masses from the Atlantic collide with dry continental masses on its territory, which makes the weather in Poland capricious and changeable, and therefore difficult to predict. Generally, in the north and west of the country the climate is predominantly maritime, with mild, wet winters and cool, rainy summers, while the east and south of Poland have a distinctly continental climate with winters harsh and hotter, drier summers.

Currency

Unlike most European countries, the euro is not used in Poland. This may come as a surprise to unprepared travelers or visitors visiting this country, but the local currency in Poland is the Polish Zloty (PLN). However, a single zloty is not the smallest denomination of Polish currency.

1z? is divided into 100 groszy, just like there are 100 centimes in 1 euro.

US$1 = PLN4.73 (approx)

Polish currency is very easy to obtain in any EU or UK country. You will find it in almost all exchange offices. Further afield, such as in the United States or Australia, it is less common to see the zloty at the exchange counter, but you can easily order Polish zloty online.

Living expenses.

Compared to other European countries, Poland is the cheapest and most comfortable country to live in due to its economic development and low taxes. Of course, prices depend on the city you choose, your lifestyle and accommodation preferences, and of course your spending decisions, but now we’ll talk about average prices.

Housing costs are different, but you need to understand that apartments closer to the city center will be more expensive, no matter what small or big city you live in. Floor space is also very important: if you want to rent a large living space in very good condition, you must be prepared to pay more money to acquire it. Therefore, the average cost of an apartment for two or three people reaches 2,835 PLN ($600) per month.

Groceries and food are much cheaper than in other European countries, prices are lower and reasonable. If you want to save your money, you can go to a low-cost grocery store. That’s why for food and groceries you will pay around 700-900 PLN ($190) per month. A dinner in a low-cost restaurant costs only 15-30 PLN ($4-6), and a meal in a mid-range restaurant costs 30-50 PLN ($8-12).

If you decide to visit one of the shopping centers in Poland, you will realize that the prices are equal to those in other European countries. That means buying quality jeans for $50 or less and running sneakers from brands like Nike for upwards of $70.

As for public transport, Warsaw has an extensive bus and tram network running through the city, as well as a good north-south and east-west metro network. A standard single ticket for public transport costs 4.40z? ($0.98). If you are traveling to the borders of Warsaw, do you need a ticket that costs 7z? ($1.48).

Accommodation

Average apartment rental prices in Poland vary from city to city. The absolute champions of housing value are Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Krakow. In February 2022, the average price of property rents in Poland was as follows:

Warsaw – an apartment up to 35 square meters will cost you 1,900 PLN ($405) per month, 35-50 square meters — 2,400 PLN ($510), 50-70 square meters — 3,300 PLN ($700), above 70 square meters – around 4,100 PLN ($870).
Gdansk – an apartment up to 35 square meters will cost you 1,500 PLN ($320) per month, 35-50 square meters — 1,900 PLN ($405), 50-70 square meters — 2,400 PLN ($510), more than 70 square meters – around 2,900 PLN ($615).
Krakow – an apartment up to 35 square meters will cost you 1,350 PLN ($290) per month, 35-50 square meters — 1,600 PLN ($340), 50-70 square meters — 2,400 PLN ($510), above 70 square meters – around 2,800 PLN ($600).
Wroclaw — an apartment up to 35 square meters will cost you 1,700 PLN ($360) per month, 35-50 square meters — 2,200 PLN ($470), 50-70 square meters — 2,700 PLN ($580), more than 70 square meters – around 3600 PLN ($770).
Hobbies

There is a wide variety of leisure activities available to tourists and residents in Poland. Poland is the ideal country to spend a vacation, as you can try different ways to spend your time, ranging from various sports activities to leisure and leisure activities. If you prefer an active vacation, you can try one of the well-equipped sports facilities or explore the Polish landscapes by bike, on foot, on horseback, by sailing, by canoe, by hot air balloon or in any other way that suits you. you will get a huge dose of adrenaline and unforgettable emotions.

If you just want to relax after hard work or studies, you can try walking, meditating, reading, playing games and dancing. Participating in hobbies and leisure activities can help you better manage stress and reduce depression. So it is so important to make time for something recreational in your life. Those who enjoy sightseeing should visit churches, castles, museums and many other attractions. If you are culturally oriented, you can choose between numerous theaters and galleries as well as philharmonies, concerts and music clubs. There are also a number of interesting festivals held throughout the year in every Polish city.

In summary, Poland is a beautiful and interesting country with its own charm and atmosphere. If you want to spend your study years in such a place, we are sure it is worth it.