1. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic States, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania have a lot in common. Along with the rest of eastern Europe they gained independence from communism in the 1990s.

2. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states The Northern plain covers much of Poland with its flat fertile soil.

3. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states Poland fought for it’s freedom for hundreds of years and in the 1950’s communists took over the economy and limited the rights of citizens until 1989 when Poland had their first free election. Poland’s Capital is Warsaw

4. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states Today most people living in Poland are Poles. Their ancestry belonged to the Slavic tribes that settled in Poland long ago. The mythical brothers Lech, Czech and Rus, the mythical founders of Polish, Czech, and Russian nations

5. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states Polish, a Slavic language is spoken throughout the country and most Poles are Roman Catholic. Roman Catholic Cathedral in Poland

6. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states In 1978, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was the first Polish pope, Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II

7. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states Poland has a rich cultural past with an emphasis on education with outstanding scientists such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Marie Curie. Nicolaus Copernicus

8. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states After Communism left Poland it became a Republic and in 1997 it adopted a new constitution. Voters elect the nations president and legislature and the prime minister runs the government. The Poland republic symbol

9. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states Poland now has a market economy and joined the European Union in 2004. The countries major industries include the production of coal, iron, steel and machinery. Iron and Steel plant in Poland

10. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states In 1922 the Ukraine was controlled by the Soviet Union. In 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed and the Ukraine was given its independence. The Ukraine flag

11. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states About ¾ of the Ukraine population is ethnic Ukrainian and Russians are the largest ethnic minority as 1/5 of their population. The dominant religion in the Ukraine is Eastern orthodox, which is Christian. Eastern Orthodox Church in Kiev, Ukraine

12. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states Ukrainian is the official language of the Ukraine and about 2/3 of Ukrainians live in Kiev the capital and other cities. The Capital of the Ukraine Kiev.

13. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states The Ukraine today is a democracy with a president, prime minister, and legislature. The President of the Ukraine is Viktor Yanukovych

14. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states Ukraine's rich soil has made it the bread basket or major grain producing region in Europe. The Ukraine fertile soil because of the Northern European plain

15. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states The Baltic States- Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania share a coastline on the Baltic sea.

16. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states The Baltic States all claimed independence from the Soviet Union and were recognized as a republic in 1991. The Capital of the Baltic state Latvia is Riga The Capital of Lithuania Is Vilnius

17. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states In Lithuania most people speak Lithuanian and are Roman Catholic, while the people of Latvia speak Latvian and Estonia speaks Estonian. The majority of citizens in Latvia and Estonia are Lutheran Protestants. Roman Catholic church in Lithuania

18. Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states All of the Baltic states are republics with an elected president and legislature. All the Baltic states joined the European Union and 2004. Germany has become a major trading partner since that time and has helped the Baltic States economy. The Capital of Estonia is Tallinn