Poland's history as a state begins
near the middle of the 10th century. By the mid-16th century, the
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth ruled a vast tract of land in central and
eastern Europe. During the 18th century, internal disorders weakened the
nation, and in a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia,
and Austria partitioned Poland among themselves. Poland regained its
independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in
World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but its
government 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 with over ten million members. Free
elections in 1989 and 1990 won Solidarity control of the parliament and the
presidency, bringing the Communist era to a close. A "shock therapy"
program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy
into one of the most robust in Central Europe. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and
the European Union in 2004. With its transformation to a democratic,
market-oriented country largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active
member of Euro-Atlantic organizations.
(Source: The World Factbook 2009.
Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2009)
For more information about Poland:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
