Poland is a country situated at the intersection of geographic, political and economic influences from the east, west, north and south. Located in the heart of Europe, Poland was for ages a country of different cultures and religions. It was a home where different nations lived together in tolerance and openness. Poland flourished during the Enlightenment Period and had hard time during the Partitions when Poles had to live under foreign rule.
Poland is a native country of such renowned figures as Tadeusz Kościuszko, Kazimierz Puławski, Maria Składowska-Curie, Ignacy Paderewski, Adam Mickiewicz, Juliusz Słowacki, Henryk Sienkiewicz, Fryderyk Chopin, Artur Rubinstein, Karol Wojtyła, Krzysztof Penderecki, Wisława Szymborska, Czesław Miłosz, who all glorified Poland's name with their bravery or everlasting achievements in the filed of science, religion, music and literature. Poland's educational system has always been based on solid foundations.
In 1773 the Polish Parliament established the first ministry of education in Europe the National Education Committee.
Poland's democracy is also rooted in long tradition. In 1791 a modern and democratic constitution was adopted in Poland.
Poland is a country of diversified landscape from the beautiful beaches of the Baltic Sea to the splendid mountainous regions in the south of Poland.
Since May 2004 Poland has joined the European Union and became a proud member of the European Community.
