Poland is a central European country with over 38 million people. Its capital and largest city is Warsaw, located along the Vistula River. Warsaw was largely destroyed during World War II but has since been rebuilt. Other important cities include Gdańsk, the birthplace of the Solidarity movement; Kraków, the former royal capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and Wrocław, known for its bridges connecting the city's islands. In 2012, Poland hosted the European Football Championship with matches held in Warsaw, Gdańsk, Poznan, and Wrocław.

2. Poland Around its cities and history

5. There are many important cities in Poland Gdańsk Warsaw Kracow

9. Wadowice is a town in southern Poland, 50 km from Kraków with about 19,000 inhabitants, situated on the Skawa river. Wadowice was the birthplace of Pope John Paul II. In Wadowice it’s possible to visit home where Karol Wojtyła was born on 18 May 1920. The small apartment is preserved as a museum since 1984.

10. Katyn massacre, also known as the Katyn Forest massacre was a mass execution of Polish nationals made by the Soviet secret police, in April and May 1940. The number of victims is estimated at about 22,000, Andrzej Wajda made a film depicting the event, Katyn. The film was produced by Akson Studio, and released in Poland on September 2007 Cracow Memorial Wrocław memorial Katyn victims commemorated in Warsaw 2007

13. Next year, 2012, Poland will be hosting the European Football Championship. Polish host cities are Warsaw, Gdańsk , Poznan and Wroclaw. Amber stadium, Gdańsk Poznan Stadium Logo

14. Championship Logos show host cities’ most important monuments : Neptune’s fountain in Gdańsk , one of the 120 bridges that joined Wroclaw’s twelve islands on Oder river, the mermaid Sawa that according to a legend together to Wars give the name to Poland’s capital .