Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
Jah-Jah.pl / Index countries / Canada (2001) - Poland (2001) / Compare countries
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Canada (2001) - Poland (2001)

Compare Canada (2001) z Poland (2001)

 Canada (2001)Poland (2001)
 CanadaPoland
Administrative divisions 10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory* 16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Dolnoslaskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lodzkie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Malopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Slaskie, Swietokrzyskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie, Wielkopolskie, Zachodniopomorskie
Age structure 0-14 years:
18.95% (male 3,067,102; female 2,918,839)

15-64 years:
68.28% (male 10,846,151; female 10,725,800)

65 years and over:
12.77% (male 1,715,071; female 2,319,842) (2001 est.)
0-14 years:
18.39% (male 3,640,451; female 3,463,604)

15-64 years:
69.17% (male 13,288,471; female 13,434,753)

65 years and over:
12.44% (male 1,836,816; female 2,969,817) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork
Airports 1,417 (2000 est.) 122 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
517

over 3,047 m:
18

2,438 to 3,047 m:
15

1,524 to 2,437 m:
151

914 to 1,523 m:
244

under 914 m:
89 (2000 est.)
total:
83

over 3,047 m:
3

2,438 to 3,047 m:
29

1,524 to 2,437 m:
42

914 to 1,523 m:
6

under 914 m:
3 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
900

1,524 to 2,437 m:
74

914 to 1,523 m:
362

under 914 m:
464 (2000 est.)
total:
39

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
4

914 to 1,523 m:
13

under 914 m:
21 (2000 est.)
Area total:
9,976,140 sq km

land:
9,220,970 sq km

water:
755,170 sq km
total:
312,685 sq km

land:
304,465 sq km

water:
8,220 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than the US slightly smaller than New Mexico
Background A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Its paramount political problem continues to be the relationship of the province of Quebec, with its French-speaking residents and unique culture, to the remainder of the country. Poland gained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite country following the war, but one that was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, boosting hopes for acceptance to the EU. Poland joined the NATO alliance in 1999.
Birth rate 11.21 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 10.2 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$126.1 billion

expenditures:
$125.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $14.8 billion (2000)
revenues:
$49.6 billion

expenditures:
$52.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)
Capital Ottawa Warsaw
Climate varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers
Coastline 243,791 km 491 km
Constitution 17 April 1982 (Constitution Act); originally, the machinery of the government was set up in the British North America Act of 1867; charter of rights and unwritten customs 16 October 1997; adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997; passed by national referendum 23 May 1997
Country name conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Canada
conventional long form:
Republic of Poland

conventional short form:
Poland

local long form:
Rzeczpospolita Polska

local short form:
Polska
Currency Canadian dollar (CAD) zloty (PLN)
Death rate 7.47 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 9.98 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $1.9 billion (2000) $57 billion (2000)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Gordon D. GIFFIN

embassy:
490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8

mailing address:
P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430

telephone:
[1] (613) 238-5335, 4470

FAX:
[1] (613) 238-5720

consulate(s) general:
Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver
chief of mission:
Ambassador Christopher R. HILL

embassy:
Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-054, Warsaw P1

mailing address:
American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch)

telephone:
[48] (22) 628-30-41

FAX:
[48] (22) 628-82-98

consulate(s) general:
Krakow
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Michael KERGIN

chancery:
501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001

telephone:
[1] (202) 682-1740

FAX:
[1] (202) 682-7726

consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle

consulate(s):
Miami, Princeton, San Francisco, and San Jose
chief of mission:
Ambassador Przemyslaw GRUDZINSKI

chancery:
2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone:
[1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802

FAX:
[1] (202) 328-6271

consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
Disputes - international maritime boundary disputes with the US (Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Machias Seal Island) none
Economic aid - donor ODA, $1.3 billion (1999) -
Economic aid - recipient - $NA
Economy - overview As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Real rates of growth have averaged nearly 3.0% since 1993. Unemployment is falling and government budget surpluses are being partially devoted to reducing the large public sector debt. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which included Mexico) have touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic integration with the US. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant Canada enjoys solid economic prospects. Two shadows loom, the first being the continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas, which has been raising the possibility of a split in the federation. Another long-term concern is the flow south to the US of professional persons lured by higher pay, lower taxes, and the immense high-tech infrastructure. Poland has steadfastly pursued a policy of liberalizing the economy and today stands out as one of the most successful and open transition economies. GDP growth has been strong and steady since 1992 - the best performance in the region. The privatization of small and medium state-owned companies and a liberal law on establishing new firms has allowed for the rapid development of a vibrant private sector. In contrast, Poland's large agricultural sector remains handicapped by structural problems, surplus labor, inefficient small farms, and lack of investment. Restructuring and privatization of "sensitive sectors" (e.g., coal, steel, railroads, and energy) has begun. Structural reforms in health care, education, the pension system, and state administration have resulted in larger than expected fiscal pressures. Further progress in public finance depends mainly on privatization of Poland's remaining state sector. The government's determination to enter the EU as soon as possible affects most aspects of its economic policies. Improving Poland's outsized current account deficit and reining in inflation are priorities. Warsaw leads the region in foreign investment and needs a continued large inflow.
Electricity - consumption 497.532 billion kWh (1999) 120.007 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 42.911 billion kWh (1999) 8.43 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 12.953 billion kWh (1999) 3.491 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 567.193 billion kWh (1999) 134.351 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
26.38%

hydro:
60%

nuclear:
12.31%

other:
1.31% (1999)
fossil fuel:
96.43%

hydro:
3.16%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0.41% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Mount Logan 5,959 m
lowest point:
Raczki Elblaskie -2 m

highest point:
Rysy 2,499 m
Environment - current issues air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by postcommunist governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur 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
Environment - international agreements party to:
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
party to:
Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26% Polish 97.6%, German 1.3%, Ukrainian 0.6%, Byelorussian 0.5% (1990 est.)
Exchange rates Canadian dollars per US dollar - 1.5032 (January 2001), 1.4851 (2000), 1.4857 (1999), 1.4835 (1998), 1.3846 (1997), 1.3635 (1996) zlotych per US dollar - 4.3126 (December 2000), 4.3461 (2000), 3.9671 (1999), 3.4754 (1998), 3.2793 (1997), 2.6961 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Adrienne CLARKSON (since 7 October 1999)

head of government:
Prime Minister Jean CHRETIEN (since 4 November 1993)

cabinet:
Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister from among the members of his own party sitting in Parliament

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons is automatically designated by the governor general to become prime minister
chief of state:
President Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23 December 1995)

head of government:
Prime Minister Jerzy BUZEK - Solidarity Electoral Union - (since 31 October 1997), Deputy Prime Ministers Janusz STEINHOFF (since 12 June 2000), Longin KOMOLOWSKI (since 19 October 1999)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and the Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election held 8 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm

election results:
Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI reelected president; percent of popular vote - Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI 53.9%, Andrzj OLECHOWSKI 17.3%, Marian KRZAKLEWSKI 15.6%, Lech WALESA 1%
Exports $272.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $28.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities motor vehicles and parts, newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, aluminum, telecommunications equipment, electricity machinery and transport equipment 30.2%, intermediate manufactured goods 25.5%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 20.9%, food and live animals 8.5% (1999)
Exports - partners US 86%, Japan 3%, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China (1999) Germany 36.1%, Italy 6.5%, Netherlands 5.3%, France 4.8%, UK 4.0%, Czech Republic 3.8% (1999)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white
GDP purchasing power parity - $774.7 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $327.5 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
3%

industry:
31%

services:
66% (2000 est.)
agriculture:
3.8%

industry:
36.6%

services:
59.6% (1999)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $24,800 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $8,500 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.3% (2000 est.) 4.8% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 60 00 N, 95 00 W 52 00 N, 20 00 E
Geography - note second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 85% of the population is concentrated within 300 km of the US/Canada border historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain
Heliports 18 (2000 est.) 3 (2000 est.)
Highways total:
901,902 km

paved:
318,371 km (including 16,571 km of expressways)

unpaved:
583,531 km (1999)
total:
381,046 km

paved:
249,966 km (including 268 km of expressways)

unpaved:
131,080 km (1998)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
2.8%

highest 10%:
23.8% (1994)
lowest 10%:
3%

highest 10%:
26.3% (1996)
Illicit drugs illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; transit point for heroin and cocaine entering the US market major illicit producer of amphetamine for the international market; minor transshipment point for Asian and Latin American illicit drugs to Western Europe
Imports $238.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $42.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer goods, electricity machinery and transport equipment 38.2%, intermediate manufactured goods 20.8%, chemicals 14.3%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 9.5% (1999)
Imports - partners US 76%, Japan 3%, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea (1999) Germany 25.2%, Italy 9.4%, France 6.8%, Russia 5.8%, UK 4.6%, Netherlands 3.7% (1999)
Independence 1 July 1867 (from UK) 11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed)
Industrial production growth rate 4.5% (2000 est.) 4.3% (1999)
Industries processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles
Infant mortality rate 5.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 9.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.6% (2000) 10.2% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB (non-regional), CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G- 7, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURCA, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 760 (2000 est.) 19 (2000)
Irrigated land 7,100 sq km (1993 est.) 1,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named variously Court of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Justice) Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an indefinite period); Constitutional Tribunal (judges are chosen by the Sejm for nine-year terms)
Labor force 16.1 million (2000) 17.2 million (1999 est.)
Labor force - by occupation services 74%, manufacturing 15%, construction 5%, agriculture 3%, other 3% (2000) industry 22.1%, agriculture 27.5%, services 50.4% (1999)
Land boundaries total:
8,893 km

border countries:
US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)
total:
2,888 km

border countries:
Belarus 605 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Slovakia 444 km, Ukraine 428 km
Land use arable land:
5%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
3%

forests and woodland:
54%

other:
38% (1993 est.)
arable land:
47%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
13%

forests and woodland:
29%

other:
10% (1993 est.)
Languages English 59.3% (official), French 23.2% (official), other 17.5% Polish
Legal system based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of legislative acts although under the new constitution, the Constitutional Tribunal ruling will become final as of October 1999; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court of Justice in Strasbourg
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (a body whose members are appointed to serve until reaching 75 years of age by the governor general and selected on the advice of the prime minister; its normal limit is 104 senators) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (301 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
House of Commons - last held 27 November 2000 (next to be held 2005)

election results:
percent of vote by party as of January 2001 - Liberal Party 42%, Canadian Alliance 22%, Bloc Quebecois 13%, New Democratic Party 4%, Progressive Conservative Party 4%; seats by party as of January 2001 - Liberal Party 172, Canadian Alliance 66, Bloc Quebecois 38, New Democratic Party 13, Progressive Conservative Party 12
bicameral National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe consists of the Sejm (460 seats; members are elected under a complex system of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) and the Senate or Senat (100 seats; members are elected by a majority vote on a provincial basis to serve four-year terms)

elections:
Sejm elections last held 21 September 1997 (next to be held by NA September 2001); Senate - last held 21 September 1997 (next to be held by NA September 2001)

election results:
Sejm - percent of vote by party - AWS 33.8%, SLD 27.1%, UW 13.4%, PSL 7.3%, ROP 5.6%, MNSO 0.4%, other 12.4%; seats by party - AWS 201, SLD 164, UW 60, PSL 27, ROP 6, MNSO 2; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - AWS 51, SLD 28, UW 8, ROP 5, PSL 3, independents 5; note - seats by party in the Sejm as of February 2001: AWS 175, SLD 161, UW 49, PSL 26, PP 6, KdP 7, ROP-PC 4, independents 31, one seat vacant

note:
two seats are assigned to ethnic minority parties
Life expectancy at birth total population:
79.56 years

male:
76.16 years

female:
83.13 years (2001 est.)
total population:
73.42 years

male:
69.26 years

female:
77.82 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
97% (1986 est.)

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
99%

male:
99%

female:
98% (1978 est.)
Location Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific Ocean, north of the conterminous US Central Europe, east of Germany
Map references North America Europe
Maritime claims contiguous zone:
24 NM

continental shelf:
200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
exclusive economic zone:
defined by international treaties

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total:
121 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,767,259 GRT/2,633,290 DWT

ships by type:
barge carrier 1, bulk 67, cargo 13, chemical tanker 5, combination bulk 1, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 17, railcar carrier 2, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)
total:
46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 943,540 GRT/1,532,694 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 41, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)
Military branches Canadian Forces (includes Land Forces Command or LC, Maritime Command or MC, Air Command or AC, Communications Command or CC, Training Command or TC), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $7.5 billion (FY00/01) $3.17 billion (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.3% (FY00/01) 1.95% (FY00)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
8,325,084 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
10,447,931 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
7,114,851 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
8,139,245 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 17 years of age 19 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
215,627 (2001 est.)
males:
344,781 (2001 est.)
National holiday Independence Day/Canada Day, 1 July (1867) Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)
Nationality noun:
Canadian(s)

adjective:
Canadian
noun:
Pole(s)

adjective:
Polish
Natural hazards continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow NA
Natural resources iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, arable land
Net migration rate 6.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km crude oil and petroleum products 2,280 km; natural gas 17,000 km (1996)
Political parties and leaders Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Canadian Alliance [Stockwell DAY]; Liberal Party [Jean CHRETIEN]; New Democratic Party [Alexa MCDONOUGH]; Progressive Conservative Party [Joe CLARK] Coalition for Poland or KdP [first name unknown GRABOWSKI]; Confederation for an Independent Poland-Patriotic Camp or KPN-OP (KPN-Fatherland or KPN-O is a small group within the KPN-OP) [Michal JANISZEWSKI]; Democratic Left Alliance or SLD (Social Democracy of Poland) [Leszek MILLER]; Freedom Union or UW [Bronislaw GEREMEK]; German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO [Henryk KROLL]; Movement for the Reconstruction of Poland or ROP-PC [Jan OLSZEWSKI]; Polish Accord or PP [Jan LOPUSZANSKI]; Polish Peasant Party or PSL [Jaroslaw KALINOWSKI]; Polish Socialist Party or PPS [Piotr IKONOWICZ]; Solidarity Electoral Action or AWS (includes RS-AWS and Solidarity) [Marian KRZAKLEWSKI]; Social Movement-Solidarity Electoral Action or RS-AWS [Jerzy BUZEK]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union); Roman Catholic Church; Solidarity (trade union)
Population 31,592,805 (July 2001 est.) 38,633,912 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 18.4% (2000 est.)
Population growth rate 0.99% (2001 est.) -0.03% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Becancour (Quebec), Churchill, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, New Westminster, Prince Rupert, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick), St. John's (Newfoundland), Sept Isles, Sydney, Trois-Rivieres, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor Gdansk, Gdynia, Gliwice, Kolobrzeg, Szczecin, Swinoujscie, Ustka, Warsaw, Wroclaw
Radio broadcast stations AM 535, FM 53, shortwave 6 (1998) AM 14, FM 777, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 32.3 million (1997) 20.2 million (1997)
Railways total:
36,114 km; note - there are two major transcontinental freight railway systems: Canadian National (privatized November 1995) and Canadian Pacific Railway; passenger service provided by government-operated firm VIA, which has no trackage of its own

standard gauge:
36,114 km 1.435-m gauge (156 km electrified) (1998)
total:
23,420 km

broad gauge:
646 km 1.524-m gauge

standard gauge:
21,639 km 1.435-m gauge (11,626 km electrified; 8,978 km double track)

narrow gauge:
1,135 km various gauges including 1.000-m, 0.785-m, 0.750-m, and 0.600-m (1998)
Religions Roman Catholic 42%, Protestant 40%, other 18% Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and other 5%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.74 male(s)/female

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth:
1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.62 male(s)/female

total population:
0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
excellent service provided by modern technology

domestic:
domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations

international:
5 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
general assessment:
underdeveloped and outmoded system; government aimed to have 10 million telephones in service by 2000; the process of partial privatization of the state-owned telephone monopoly has begun; in 1998 there were over 2 million applicants on the waiting list for telephone service

domestic:
cable, open wire, and microwave radio relay; 3 cellular networks; local exchanges 56.6% digital

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat, NA Eutelsat, 2 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions), and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
Telephones - main lines in use 18.5 million (1999) 8.07 million (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular 4.207 million (1997) 1.78 million (1998)
Television broadcast stations 80 (plus many repeaters) (1997) 179 (plus 256 repeaters) (September 1995)
Terrain mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border
Total fertility rate 1.6 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.37 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 6.8% (2000 est.) 12% (1999)
Waterways 3,000 km (including Saint Lawrence Seaway) 3,812 km (navigable rivers and canals) (1996)
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.