What is the capital of Poland?

Warsaw (Warszawa) is the capital and largest city of Poland, located on the Vistula River in the east-central part of the country. With a metropolitan population of over 3 million, Warsaw is Poland's political, economic, and cultural hub. The city was almost entirely destroyed in World War II and was painstakingly rebuilt afterward — its Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What currency does Poland use?

Poland uses the Polish zloty (PLN, symbol zł) as its official currency. Despite being an EU member since 2004, Poland has not adopted the euro and retains the zloty. The National Bank of Poland (Narodowy Bank Polski), founded in 1945, manages monetary policy. One zloty is divided into 100 groszy.

What time zone is Poland in?

Poland observes Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) during daylight saving, which runs from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October — the same schedule as most EU countries.

Is Poland a member of the EU and NATO?

Yes to both. Poland joined NATO on March 12, 1999, and became a member of the European Union on May 1, 2004 (part of the EU's largest single enlargement). Poland is one of the most significant NATO members on the alliance's eastern flank, bordering both Belarus and the Russian Kaliningrad exclave.

What is Poland's international calling code?

Poland's country calling code is +48. When dialing from abroad, dial your country's exit code, then 48, followed by the 9-digit local number. Mobile numbers in Poland start with 5, 6, 7, or 8; landline numbers begin with 1–4 depending on the region.

What language is spoken in Poland?

Polish (język polski) is the sole official language. It is a West Slavic language written in the Latin alphabet with several diacritics (ą, ć, ę, ł, ń, ó, ś, ź, ż). Polish is the native language of around 97% of the population. Kashubian is recognized as a regional language in Pomerania.

Poland Country Facts

Browse key facts about Poland — geography, demographics, economy, and government — all in a searchable reference card.

Official Name

Republic of Poland

Rzeczpospolita Polska in Polish

Capital City

Warsaw (Warszawa)

Largest city; located on the Vistula River in east-central Poland

Total Area

312,696 km²

120,733 sq mi — rank 69th globally; 9th largest country in Europe

Continent / Region

Central Europe

North European Plain; between Germany (west) and Belarus/Ukraine (east)

Bordering Countries

7 neighbors

Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Russia (Kaliningrad exclave)

Time Zone

UTC+1 / UTC+2

CET in winter; CEST (daylight saving) in summer

Longest River

Vistula — 1,047 km

651 mi; flows through Warsaw and Krakow before emptying into the Baltic Sea

Highest Point

Rysy — 2,499 m

8,199 ft; located in the Tatra Mountains on the Slovak border

Population (2024)

~38 million

~122 people/km²; 5th most populous EU country

Official Language

Polish

West Slavic language; Latin alphabet with diacritics (ą, ć, ę, ł, ń, ó, ś, ź, ż)

Calling Code

+48

9-digit local numbers; dial +48 then the 9-digit number when calling from abroad

Religion

Roman Catholic

~85% nominal Catholic membership; one of the most Catholic countries in Europe

Largest Cities

Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz

Also: Wroclaw, Poznan, Gdansk, Szczecin, Bydgoszcz, Lublin

Government Type

Parliamentary republic

Unitary constitutional republic; bicameral parliament (Sejm + Senate)

President

Andrzej Duda

In office since August 6, 2015; ceremonial head of state with some executive powers

Prime Minister

Donald Tusk

In office since December 13, 2023; Civic Coalition leader; former EU Council President

Independence Day

November 11, 1918

Re-establishment after 123 years of partition between Russia, Prussia, and Austria

Administrative Divisions

16 voivodeships

województwa; further divided into 380 counties (powiaty) and 2,477 communes (gminy)

EU & NATO Member

Yes — both EU and NATO

EU since May 1, 2004; NATO since March 12, 1999; key eastern flank ally

Currency

Polish zloty (PLN, zł)

Not a euro member despite EU membership; 1 zloty = 100 groszy

Nominal GDP (2023)

~USD 811 billion

Rank ~21st globally (IMF); largest economy in Central and Eastern Europe

GDP per Capita (2023)

~USD 21,200

PPP: ~USD 47,000 (IMF); significant growth since EU accession in 2004

Top Exports

Machinery, vehicles, electronics

Also: furniture, food products, chemicals; Germany is the largest trading partner

Major Industries

Manufacturing, mining, IT

Coal mining, steel, food processing, chemicals; growing tech and BPO sector

Internet TLD

.pl

Administered by NASK (Research and Academic Computer Network of Poland)

ISO Codes

PL / POL

ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 and alpha-3

UNESCO Heritage Sites

17 sites

Includes Krakow Old Town, Warsaw Historic Centre, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Wieliczka Salt Mine

Drives On

Right side of the road

Standard across continental Europe

Famous Poles

Chopin, Curie, Copernicus

Also: Pope John Paul II, Lech Walesa, Wisława Szymborska (Nobel laureate)

National Days

November 11 & May 3

Independence Day (Nov 11, 1918) and Constitution Day (May 3, 1791 — Europe's first modern constitution)

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Summary

Poland is a Central European country covering 312,696 km² with a population of approximately 38 million, making it the fifth most populous country in the European Union. Located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern Europe, Poland borders Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia (Kaliningrad exclave). This reference tool presents Poland's essential facts — geography, demographics, government, economy, and culture — in a clear, searchable layout.

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All facts are organized into thematic sections: Geography, People, Government, Economy, and Culture.
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Quick lookup for students doing geography or social studies homework.
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Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu

Poland Country Facts

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