Poland

Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. Poland is divided into sixteen voivodeships and is the fifth-most populous member state of the European Union (EU), with over 38 million people, and the seventh-largest EU country, covering a combined area of 312,696 km2 (120,733 sq mi). It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordering seven countries. The territory is characterised by a varied landscape, diverse ecosystems, and temperate transitional climate. The capital and largest city is Warsaw; other major cities include Kraków, Wrocław, Łódź, Poznań, and Gdańsk.

Some of the key events about Poland

966
Poland adopts Christianity as its official state religion
1364
The Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest universities in Europe, is founded in Kraków
1569
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is established, creating one of the largest and most powerful states in Europe
1772
First partition of Poland by Russia, Prussia, and Austria
1791
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth adopts Europe's first written national constitution
1793
Second partition of Poland by Russia and Prussia
1795
Third partition of Poland, resulting in the complete dissolution of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
1918
Poland regains independence after 123 years of partitions
1939
Nazi Germany invades Poland, marking the beginning of World War II
1939
Soviet Union invades Poland from the east, dividing the country with Nazi Germany
1940
Mass execution of Polish officers and intelligentsia in the Katyn massacre
1941
Auschwitz concentration camp begins operations in occupied Poland
1944
The Warsaw Uprising begins, marking the largest resistance operation in Nazi-occupied Europe
1944
Warsaw Uprising is brutally suppressed by Nazi forces
1945
Soviet Union imposes communist rule on Poland
1978
A Polish Cardinal is elected as Pope, becoming the first non-Italian pope in 455 years
1980
The Solidarity trade union is formed, leading to the eventual fall of communism in Poland
1981
Martial law is declared in Poland to suppress the Solidarity movement
1989
Poland holds its first partially free elections since World War II, marking the end of communist rule
2004
Poland joins the European Union, integrating with Western European economies and institutions

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