Compiled by Robert Strybel

-- With a population of more than 38 million, Poland has more people than Sweden, Austria, Israel, Finland, Norway and Denmark combined.

-- You should never write to relatives in Poland that you are arriving 8.4.2006 (meaning August 4, 2006), because they will think you already arrived on April 8^th. Since the days and months are transposed in European numerical dates, it is best spell out the month in full: August 4 (or 4 sierpnia).

-- The flood waters of the Rivers Biebrza Narew in northeastern Poland and the Warta in the west constitute Europe’s biggest wetlands which are nesting grounds for numerous species of waterfowl. They may be visited by kayak, canoe, rowing-boat or pontoon, but motorboats are not allowed.

-- In terms of terrain, Poland has most everything a tourist could want: mountains rimming the country’s southern flank, a seacoast in the north, and forests, lake districts, flat farmland and rolling hills in between. For sightseers there are plenty of architectural relics and quaint rural backwaters to choose from.