Poland

Poland is a densely-populated country in blank. The official language is Polish, from the West Slavic language family but the regional Kashubian from a small segment of the North is also recognized. The terrain includes coastal lagoons, moraines, mountains, and plains. Many areas are quite flat. Overall the climate is temperate. Native animal species include the European bison, also known as the Wisent, the grey wolf, the plentiful white stork, and the mountain-dwelling Tatra vole. Mainstays of the economy include banking, industry such as electronics, and agriculture. The Warsaw Ghetto is of great historical interest, and you can climb a 15th-century town hall tower in Kraków’s large medieval town square, Rynek G┼éówny. You can see great wildlife and large stretches of lowland forest up near the border with Belarus at Bia┼éowie┼╝a National Park.

Noodles, dumplings, potatoes, and buckwheat are typical starchy foods. Common vegetables include celeriac, beets, carrots, and cabbage. Meats like pork, chicken, and beef are very popular. Kotlet z indyka is turkey cutlet coated with breadcrumbs, and gulasz is the Polish version of the paprika-flavored potato and beef stew, usually served on buckwheat kasza. Try deliciously tart soups like ┼╝urek (sour rye soup), or white or red barszcz. Organic options in Poland include Polish, Moroccan, Italian, and Indian cuisines, juice bars, raw or macrobiotic food, and a good selection of health food stores. Affordable and eco-friendly lodging options include hostels with vegetarian meals. That’s some of the spirit of modern Central and Eastern Europe for you.