Poland and the Baltic Republics Chapter 7 Section 1

Poland (1) About the size of New Mexico North Poland has lakes, forests, and bogs. South Poland has the Carpathian Mountains, which stretch along Poland’s border with Slovakia. East and West Poland do not have any mountains, which make it a target for invading armies.

Poland (2) Western Poland experiences mild weather year around. Eastern Poland much cooler weather.

Economy (1) In the past, Poland was a communist state. In 1989 Poland started moving toward a market economy. The change has been difficult. There are thousand of small farms, which employee about 25% of Polish workers. They grow more potatoes and rye than any other farmers in Europe.

Communist State Government has strong control over the economy and society.

Economy (2) Poland also has industry. Coal and shipbuilding are its major industries.

Government (1) Founded in the A.D. 900s. Poland was a powerful kingdom in the Middle Ages. By the 1800s it had fallen to stronger neighbors- Germany, Russia, and Austria. Poland greatly suffered in 1939, when it was overran by German troops.

Government (2) After the war the Soviet Union swallowed up lands in eastern Poland. In exchange, Poland gained western areas belonging to defeated Germany. In 1947 Poland had a communist government. Today it is a democratic republic.

Culture Almost the entire population are ethnic Poles who belong to a larger ethnic group called Slavs. Most are Roman Catholic Religion has a strong influence on their daily life. In 1978 Karol Wojtyla (voy∙TEE∙wah) was named pope. He took the name John Paul II, he was the first Pole to become pope.

Pope Head of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Baltic Republics Estonia Latvia Lithuania

The Baltic Republics All lie on the Baltic Sea (p. 203) Became independent with the fall of the Soviet Union, in Most people in Estonia and Latvia are Protestant, while Lithuania has a large Catholic population. Economies are based on farming.