Brief Introduction Capital: Warsaw Area: total: 65300 sqkm National Flower: Corn Poppy The important Festival: National day: 3, May Population: 381,570,000 Language: Polish Currency: zloty

Poland

Geography

Poland is located in Central Europe. It is bound by the Baltic Sea to the north, Germany to the west, Lithuania to the northeast, Belarus and the Ukraine to the east as well as the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south.

Administrative divisions

16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Dolnoslaskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lodzkie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Malopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Slaskie, Swietokrzyskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie, Wielkopolskie, Zachodniopomorskie.

Economy – overview

Poland today stands out as one of the most successful and open transition economies. The privatization of small and medium state-owned companies and a liberal law on establishing new firms marked the rapid development of a private sector now responsible for 70% of economic activity. The government's determination to enter the EU as soon as possible affects all aspects of its economic policies. Improving Poland's worsening current account deficit also is a priority. To date, the government has resisted pressure for protectionist solutions and continues to support regional free trade initiatives. The government export strategy emphasizes a more aggressive export assistance program. Warsaw continues to hold the budget deficit to less than 2% of GDP. Further progress on public finance depends mainly on comprehensive reform of the social welfare system and privatization of Poland's remaining state sector. Restructuring and privatization of "sensitive sectors" (e.g., coal, steel, and telecommunications) has begun. Long-awaited privatizations in aviation and energy are scheduled for 1999.

Culture and media

Newspaper:

Dziennik Giełdowy ，Gazeta Gieldy Parkiet ，Gazeta Polska ，Gazeta Wyborcza ，Puls Biznesu，Super Express .

TV Stations:

TVP ，TVP Poznan .

Broadcast: Polskie Radio