Poland is a fairly large country located in Central Europe. Since 1989, Poland underwent many political, social, and economic changes, averaging 4.6 percent per annum from 1996-2007, accession to the European Union (EU) in May 2004, and during the recent crisis Poland was the only EU country to maintain positive growth in 2009. Six years after joining EU,the EU and its institutions where Polands main external parteners. The World Bank was committed to play a supporting role. Poland had access to considerable financing, including large volumes of EU Structural and Cohesion Funds on a great basis. Poland still needs to push ahead with strucural reform aimed at consolidating public finances in a substainable way. This will increase employment, reducing poverty, improving business climate, upgrading infrastracture and energy effeciancy, and promoting a more effective government. All of this information came from www.cia.govand www.europa.com
Poland has a Republican government. Polands Constitution was approved by a national referendum on May 25, 1997. The constitution codifies Poland's democratic norms and establishes checks and balances among the president, prime minister, and parliament. It also enhances several key elements of democracy, including judicial review and the legislative process, while continuing to guarantee the wide range of civil rights, such as the right to free speech, press, and assembly, which Poles have enjoyed since 1989. Polands branches are: Executive which has the President, and the Prime Minister. Legislative includes the bicameral National Essembly. Judicial has the Supreme Court and local courts. All of this info came from these two sources: www.state.gov and www.infoplease.com
Poland is full of resources including: coal, copper, sulfur, natural gas, silver, lead, and salt. Poland produces: grains, hogs, dairy, potatoes, horticulture, sugar beets, and oilseed. Poland has many types of industry including: machine building, iron and steel, mining, shipbuilding, automobiles, furniture, textiles and apparel, chemicals, food processing, glass, and beverages. Poland exports: $133.6 billion in furniture, cars, ships, coal, and apparel. Poland imports: $145.8 billion in crude oil, passenger cars, pharmaceuticals, car parts, and computers. This info came from www.countystudies.us
| Polands Economy | |
| Type 2009 | Money and Percents |
| GDP | $430 Billion |
| Real GDP Growth | 1.8% |
| Per Capita GDP | $11,288 |
| Rate of Inflation | 3.5% |
