A little picture of Poland

Natural Beauty



Poland is situated in the plains of central Europe, it has various land scapes. Alpine scenery is more important in the Tatra Mountains along the coun try's southern border, while the north is dominated by lakelands, which distinguish with the landscape of the Baltic coast.

For those who like pure natural scenery, there are areas of ancient forests in Bialowieza and widespread marshlands along the banks of the River Biebrza which are a shelter for many rare bird and plant species. About 30 per cent of the area of Poland is forest, including a number of vast forests covering more than 1,000 sq km. Most of these consist of coniferous trees and mixed forest, but there are also many forests of deciduous trees, especially oaks.

Many areas of great natural beauty are protected as national parks or reserves. Mountain lovers can make use of the well developed infrastructure of hostels and other shelters, such as those found in the Beskid Sqdecki or the Tatra Mountains; the more adventurous can explore the unfrequented and almost inaccessible Beskid Niski or Bieszczady. All areas have clearly marked hiking trails and well equipped shelters (schroniska). The countless lakes of Warmia and Mazuria, areas known as the Land of a Thousand Lakes (Kraina Tysiqca jezior) are a safe place for waterspouts enthusiasts, as are the waters of Pomerania and Wielkopolska. The lakes are popular with canoeists and in summer are dotted with rowing and sailing boats.




Architecture
Over the centuries, Poland has lost a great deal of its architectural heritage; however the government is trying to protect the left over. Many building has been restored and in some cases rebuilt. Traditional wooden buildings are another interesting feature of Polish Architecture. Romanesque style can be seen in Polish Cathedrals. In 16th century Renaissance architecture was introduced by the Italian architect Bartolomeo Berrecci who designed Wawel Royal Castle and the Zygmunt Chapel in Krakow. Many churches in Mazovia were influenced by Italians even Poznan town hall.

Later Polish architecture in 17th century quite a common sights many distinctive 19th century residences and architectural ensembles are notable.




Literature
Polish literature is linked to the historical development of the country, as the political situation especially over the last two centuries, has not always privileged freedom of speech. Many writers were enforced to migrate and leave their country, remained accepted their defeat and started writing what they were obliged to. Poland won four Nobel Awards in literature: Henryk Sienkiewicz, Władysław Stanisław Reymont, Czeslaw Milosz and Wislawa Szymborska.








The first Polish feature film was made in 1902 but it was not well-known internationally until the end of World War II.

Polish romantic poetry played a very important role in keeping nationalists sentiments alive. The out standing poet Adam Mickiewicz, Juliusz Slowacki and Zygmunt Krasinnski wrote a marvelous patriotic work that will remain a part of Polish literature history. Aleksander Fredro’s work incorporated Revenge (Zemsta) and another poet Cyprian Kamil Norwid and of course so many others been so famous to keep the national blood worm. Poetry always plays a very important role in history because when all the bullets are finished then poetic swords work and the history is the witness.


Music
Poland has played an important role in the international music outlook through the works of great composers internationally, equally jazz music, and colourful folk music. The most famous Polish composer of the Romantic era was positively Frederic Chopin, who composed almost exclusively for the piano. During his short life he composed a large number of introductory pieces of music, mazurkas, polonaises, waltzes, and other pieces. Many of Chopin's works contain elements of folk music. Stanislaw Moniuszko, Karol Szymanowski and Wojciech Kilar have often been inspired by folk music, as have modern jazz and rock musicians. Poland has also given the world such exceptional musical performers as the tenor Jan Kiepura and the pianists Artur Rubinstein and Witold Makuzynski.

The best way to enjoy Polish folk music is attending some of the traditional concerts during the summer months, such as the Kazimierz or Zakopane festivals.

Polish vocal and dance groups have brought worldwide popularity to Polish folk music. The Mazowsze group, for example, gives stage performances that are inspired by the folk traditions of various regions. Jazz clubs opened throughout the country, and the Warsaw jazz jamboree, first held in 1958, became the world's biggest jazz festival. Another renowned festival is jazz on the Oder, held in Wroclaw. Poland has been very innovative regarding Food, beverages, entainment in the reagon. Poland was very famous for Italian food recipese for ages. History tells how Poland was rich is food choice for the refference please have a look at Wikipedia pages about Poland.


Religion

Although the majority of Polish population is Roman Catholics but with the passage of the time the popularity graph of religion had been changing. There have been Orthodox Christians, Uniates and Jews (most of them lost their lives in World War II), and since 16th century, Lutheran and Calvinists Protestants. When polish boarders were, redrawn after the World War II, the largest part of Orthodox population found itself in Belarus and Ukraine. The western boarder moved to westward and many Protestants Churches became the part of Germany.