Geography of Poland
Location
Central Europe, east of Germany
Geographic Coordinates
52 00 N, 20 00 E
Geographical Area
Land
304,465 Sq Km.
Water
8,220 Sq Km.
Land Boundary
3,056 Km.
Border Countries
Belarus
418 Km.
Czech Republic
790 Km.
Germany
467 Km.
Lithuania
103 Km.
Russia
210 Km.
Slovakia
541 Km.
Ukraine
529 Km.
Length of Coastline
491 Km.
Terrain
Mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border
Elevation Extremes
Lowest Point
Near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m
Highest Point
Rysy 2,499 m
Natural Resources
Coal, sulphur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber, arable land
Land Use
Arable Land
40%
Permanent Crops
1%
Other
59%
Irrigated Land
1,000 Sq Km.
Natural Hazards
Flooding
Environmental Issues
The situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by post-Communist governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulphur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastes; pollution levels should continue to decrease as industrial establishments bring their facilities up to EU code, but at substantial cost to business and the government.
