Geography of Poland

In With the Baltic Sea to the north, Poland shares its other borders with Germany (specifically, the former East Germany), the Czech Republic, Russia, the Ukraine, Slovakia, Belorussia, and Lithuania.

Aside from mountainous southern and southeastern border regions, Poland is generally flat.

Given its consistently level topography, Poles can rightfully boast of their country’s great tracts of arable land. Historically, though, the forbears of modern day Poles rarely passed quiet, pastoral lives. Invading armies made easy inroads into Polish territory because of the flatness of the North European plain. Poland’s centrality on the European continent – combined with its gentle topography – has put it at the crossroads of many conflicts over the centuries; consequently, its population has been periodically ravaged and its borders changed, according to the desires of the victorious invaders.

Though the great North European plain may not attract travelers in search of rugged altitudes, Poland has more natural lakes than any other country except Finland. Several rivers also meander through Poland’s countryside.