ernet hosts:

12 (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

NA

Internet users:

NA

Transportation
Pitcairn Islands

Ports and terminals:

Adamstown (on Bounty Bay)

Military
Pitcairn Islands

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues
Pitcairn Islands

Disputes - international:

none

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008

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@Poland

Introduction
Poland

Background:

Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the middle of
the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century.
During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and
internal disorders weakened the nation. In a series of agreements
between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned
Poland amongst themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918
only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II.
It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but its
government was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil
in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union
"Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had
swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy"
program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its
economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Poland
still faces the lingering challenges of high unemployment,
underdeveloped and dilapidated infrastructure, and a poor rural
underclass. Solidarity suffered a major defeat in the 2001
parliamentary elections when it failed to elect a single deputy to
the lower house of Parliament, and the new leaders of the Solidarity
Trade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade Union's
political role. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in
2004. With its transformation to a democratic, market-oriented
country largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active member
of Euro-Atlantic organizations.

Geography
Poland

Location:

Central Europe, east of Germany

Geographic coordinates:

52 00 N, 20 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 312,679 sq km
land: 304,459 sq km
water: 8,220 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than New Mexico

Land boundaries:

total: 3,047 km
border countries: Belarus 605 km