Poland is situated in central Europe between the Baltic Sea and the Carpathian Mountains. There are about 38 million inhabitants. The country has got a moderate climate and a varied landscape. The capital city of Poland is Warsaw. It lies on the bank of the Vistula River. There are about 2 million people there. This city is unique in Europe as it was completely ruined during the second World War and after that rebuilt by the determined inhabitants. Other big citites worth visiting in Poland are: Wroclaw, Cracow, Gdansk and Lodz. Other places worth visiting in Poland are: the coast of the Baltic Sea, the picturesque Tatra mountains region and a unique region of Mazurian Lake District. Poland has 16 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The establishment of the first Polish state dates back to the year 966 when Poland was converted to Christianity. The time of the greatest prosperity for The Kingdom of Poland was the 16 th and 17 th century. Later, Poland lost its independence and stopped to exist on the map of Europe for 123 years. It was divided between three other countries: Germany, Russia and Austria. Poland regained its independence after the 1 st World War. In September 1939 Germany invaded Poland and it was the beginning of the 2 nd World War. After the war Poland belonged to a set of countries which were under the influence of the Soviet Union. The communism in Poland finished in the late 1980's together with the establishment of the famous Solidarity Movement. In 2004 Poland joined European Union.