Joanne Mattern - Poland

Published in 2020 by Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC

243 5th Avenue, Suite 136, New York, NY 10016

Copyright 2020 by Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC

First Edition

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior permission of the copyright owner. Request for permission should be addressed to Permissions, Cavendish Square Publishing, 243 5th Avenue, Suite 136, New York, NY 10016. Tel (877) 980-4450; fax (877) 980-4454.

Website: cavendishsq.com

This publication represents the opinions and views of the author based on his or her personal experience, knowledge, and research. The information in this book serves as a general guide only. The author and publisher have used their best efforts in preparing this book and disclaim liability rising directly or indirectly from the use and application of this book.

All websites were available and accurate when this book was sent to press.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Mattern, Joanne, 1963- author.

Title: Poland / Joanne Mattern.

Description: First edition. | New York: Cavendish Square, [2020] | Series: Exploring world cultures | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Audience: Grades 2-5.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019016375 (print) | LCCN 2019016916 (ebook) | ISBN 9781502651594 (ebook) | ISBN 9781502651587 (library bound) | ISBN 9781502651563 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781502651570 (6 pack)

Subjects: LCSH: Poland--Juvenile literature.

Classification: LCC DK4147 (ebook) | LCC DK4147 .M38 2020 (print) | DDC 943.8--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019016375

Editor: Lauren Miller

Copy Editor: Nathan Heidelberger

Associate Art Director: Alan Sliwinski

Designer: Christina Shults

Production Coordinator: Karol Szymczuk

Photo Research: J8 Media

The photographs in this book are used by permission and through the courtesy of: Cover David Grossman/Alamy Stock Photo; p .

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Introduction

Poland is a country in Eastern Europe. This nation has a beautiful countryside. There are many lakes, and the land is mostly flat. Poland is home to many different plants and animals. There are also busy, crowded cities with beautiful old buildings and modern ones.

Most of Poland is surrounded by other countries. In the north, it borders the Baltic Sea. More than thirty-eight million people live in Poland. These people are called Poles. Poland is the eighth-largest country in Europe.

Poland has faced many difficult times in its long history. It has been ruled by kings and wars and hard times. Like people everywhere, though, the Polish people still know how to enjoy life. They work, but they also play sports and appreciate the arts. They share delicious meals too. Lets explore the interesting country of Poland!

Old buildings line a cobblestone street in the Old Town part of Warsaw, which is the capital of Poland.

Geography

Poland is a large European country. It covers 120,726 square miles (312,679 square kilometers). It has seven neighbors. Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and a small part of Russia lie to the east. Germany lies to the west. The Czech Republic and Slovakia are south of Poland.

Poland has many cities.

FACT

The highest mountain in Poland is Mount Rysy. It is 8,199 feet (2,499 meters) tall. It is located on the border of Poland and Slovakia.

Mild Weather

Poland has a temperate climate. This means that it is not too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. However, it is very chilly in the mountains.

Snow covers this Polish mountain.

Along with the Baltic Sea to the north, Poland has many other waterways. The country has more than nine thousand lakes. The largest lakes are niardwy, ebsko, Drawsko, and Mamry.

Most of Poland is flat. The Carpathian Mountains lie on the countrys southeastern border. Another mountain range, called the Sudeten, crosses southern Poland.

History

People have lived in Poland for a long time. During the 600s CE, tribes called the Slavs came to Poland from other parts of Europe and Asia. One famous ruler was Mieszko I. He helped Poland become a large and powerful nation.

This picture of Mieszko I is on Polish money.

In 1569, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was created. There were many arguments over how to run this government. It lasted until 1795. Later, Poland became a .

FACT

Poland is named after a Slavic tribe called the Polan.

in Poland.

After the war, Russia took control of Poland. The nation became a communist country. In 1989, the communist government fell. Now, Poland is a free society.

Auschwitz

During World War II, more than one million people died at a Polish concentration camp called Auschwitz. Today, Auschwitz is a museum.

This is Auschwitzs main gate.

Government

Today, Poland is a democratic republic. The government is split into three parts: executive, legislative, and judicial. The president and the prime minister make up the executive part. The president does not have much power. The prime minister is the leader of the country. He or she chooses people to lead different departments.

Polands prime minister talks to officials in 2019.

FACT

In 1596, Warsaw became Polands capital city. About 1.8 million people live there today.

A Polish Hero

In the 1980s, Lech Wasa led a Polish political group called Solidarity. They fought against communist rule. When communism fell in 1989, Wasa became Polands president.

This photo shows Lech Wasa in 1990.

The parliament makes up the legislative part. It is split into two groups, the Senate and the Sejm. They make Polands laws. Both groups have to approve laws for them to become official.