The Country history
Poles are known for their history, which abounds with the days of glory and fame, the days of downfall and the days of war. Because of difficult geographical position in Europe, between two aggressive powers, Russia and Germany, Poland had often to fight against these states in defence of their country.
Between 1772 and 1795 the entire territory of the Kingdom of Poland was divided between Prussia, Austria and Russia. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. Both totalitarian countries divided Poland and persecuted its people. Poland was the country most devastated by World War II in Eastern Europe, losing about a quarter of its population and almost its entire Jewish community.
Poland changed the course of history in 1989 by becoming the first Eastern Europe state to break free of communism. Since than, economic, social and psychological changes have been enormous. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Poland still faces the lingering challenges of high unemployment, underdeveloped and dilapidated infrastructure, and a poor rural underclass. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. |
