Exploring Our World: Latin America and Canada, Europe, and Australia © 2012 Georgia Edition

"Poland"

Introduction
Poland lies in the heart of Europe, bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. In the north, the Baltic Sea forms the border. People have inhabited this land for thousands of years and have developed a rich culture. In this activity, you will explore many elements of Polish culture and traditions.

Destination Title: Polska: Polish National Tourist site

Note: Clicking on the link above will launch a new browser window.
Need help using your browser for this activity? Click here for tips.

• Click on the link “Practical Information” tab at the top of the page.
• Then click on the sections “Polish cuisine” and “Polish holidays and customs.” Read to learn more about the lifestyles of Polish people.

After you explore the site, answer the following questions.

1			What is the Polish word for sausage?
2			Describe the dish barszcz.
3			What two main national holidays are celebrated in Poland?
4			In your textbook you learned that many Poles are Roman Catholic. Thus, one of the most celebrated religious holidays is Christmas. Describe the unique traditions that Poles have to celebrate Christmas.
5			Now click on the "Tourism" tab at the top of the page. Select "UNESCO List in Poland" from the column on the left. Read about the cities and other historic sites in Poland that the United Nations has included on their list of World Heritage Sites. If you were to travel to Poland, which two sites would you be most interested in visiting? Why?