Polish people: Difference between revisions

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	{{About\|Poles as an ethnic or legal group\|the population of Poland\|Demographics of Poland\|Polish nationality law or citizenship\|Polish nationality law\|Poles living abroad (Polonia)\|Polish diaspora\|other uses}}
	{{pp-move-indef}}
	{{Infobox ethnic group
	\| image= {{image array\|perrow=6
	\| image1 = Chrobry1.jpg\| caption1 = ]
	\| image2 = Kraków, Tumba króla Kazimierza III Wielkiego - fotopolska.eu (164075).jpg\| caption2 = ]
	\| image3 = Nikolaus Kopernikus.jpg\| caption3 = ]
	\| image4 = Ignacy Krasicki 111.PNG\| caption4 = ]
	\| image5 = Schweikart Tadeusz Kościuszko.jpg\| caption5 = ]
	\| image6 = Stanisław Staszic.PNG\| caption6 = ]
	\| image7 = Adam_Mickiewicz_według_dagerotypu_paryskiego_z_1842_roku.jpg\| caption7 = ]
	\| image8 = Eugène Delacroix - Frédéric Chopin - WGA06194.jpg\| caption8 = ]
	\| image9 = Ignacy Lukasiewicz.jpg\| caption9 = ]
	\| image10 = Wieniawski Henryk 3.png\| caption10 = ]
	\| image11 = Henryk Sienkiewicz.PNG\| caption11 = ]
	\| image12 = Prus 002.jpg\| caption12 = ]
	\| image13 = Malczewski Self-portrait with a palette.jpg\| caption13 = ]
	\| image14 = Joseph Conrad.PNG\| caption14 = ]
	\| image15 = 1908-kl-t-zamenhof.jpg\| caption15 = ]
	\| image16 = Ignacy Jan Paderewski.PNG\| caption16 = ]
	\| image17 = Wladyslaw_Reymont_1924.jpg\| caption17 = ]
	\| image18 = Marie_Curie_c1920.jpg\| caption18 = ]
	\| image19 = Jozef Pilsudski1.jpg\| caption19 = ]
	\| image20 = Casimir_Funk_01.jpg\| caption20 = ]
	\| image21 = Bronislawmalinowski.jpg\| caption21 = ]
	\| image22 = عالم_الرياضيات_البولندى_ستيفان_بناخ.jpg\| caption22 = ]
	\| image23 = MR 1932 small.jpg\| caption23 = ]
	\| image24 = Irena Sendlerowa 1942.jpg\| caption24 = ]
	\| image25 = 2007.09.16._Hilary_Koprowski_by_Kubik_01.JPG\| caption25 = ]
	\| image26 = JohannesPaul2-portrait.jpg\| caption26 = ]
	\| image27 = St_Lem_resize.jpg\| caption27 = ]
	\| image28 = 2008.04.22. Andrzej Wajda by Kubik 02.JPG\| caption28 = ]
	\| image29 = Lech Walesa - 2009.jpg\| caption29 = ]
	\| image30 = Aleksander_Wolszczan_(2007).jpg\| caption30 = ]
	}}
	\| poptime = '''60 million'''
	\|popplace = '''{{flagcountry\|Poland}}'''{{nbsp\|3}}37,394,000<ref name=stat>{{cite web\|title=The national-ethnic affiliation in the population – The results of the census of population and housing in 2011\|url=http://www.stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/Przynaleznosc_narodowo-etniczna_w_2011_NSP.pdf\|accessdate=6 March 2013\|author=]\|page=1\|language=pl\| date=January 2013 }}</ref>
	\|region1 = {{space\|2}}{{USA}}
	\|pop1 = 10,600,000
	\|ref1 = <ref> p. 5</ref>
	\|region2 = {{space\|2}}{{BRA}}
	\|pop2 = 3,000,000
	\|ref2 = <ref> Stowarzyszenie Wspólnota Polska</ref>
	\|region3 = {{space\|2}}{{DEU}}
	\|pop3 = 1,500,000 – 2,000,000
	\|ref3 = <ref>{{de icon}} Statistisches Bundesamt Deutschland (German text about migrants in Germany)</ref><ref>{{pl icon}} Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych 2009. p. 177, ISBN 978-83-89607-81-2</ref>
	\|ref4 = <ref name="ynet"> </ref>
	\|region4 = {{space\|2}}{{ISR}}
	\|pop4 = 1,250,000
	\|region5 = {{space\|2}}{{CAN}}
	\|pop5 = 1,010,705
	\|ref5 = <ref name="Statistics Canada">{{cite web\|title=Ethnic Origin (264), Single and Multiple Ethnic Origin Responses (3), Generation Status (4), Age Groups (10) and Sex (3) for the Population in Private Households of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2011 National Household Survey\|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/dt-td/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=0&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=0&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=0&PID=105396&PRID=0&PTYPE=105277&S=0&SHOWALL=0&SUB=0&Temporal=2013&THEME=95&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=}}</ref>
	\|region6 = {{space\|2}}{{FRA}}
	\|pop6 = 1,000,000
	\|ref6 = <ref>]</ref>
	\|region7 = {{space\|2}}{{BLR}}
	\|pop7 = 900,000
	\|ref7 = <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://wspolnota-polska.org.pl/polonia_w_liczbach.html\|title=Stowarzyszenie Wspólnota Polska\|author=Wspólnota Polska\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref>
	\|region8 = {{space\|2}}{{UK}}
	\|pop8 = 630,000
	\|ref8 = <ref name=polonia>{{cite web\|title=Polish diaspora in numbers\|url=http://wspolnota-polska.org.pl/polonia_w_liczbach.html\|publisher=]\|accessdate=21 November 2013\|language=pl}}</ref><ref>British Office for National Statistics, <br />'''^''' Please note: The British Office for National Statistics recorded the number of Poles who have travelled to the UK in 2006 at over 2,000,000; they are not to be mistaken for permanent residents.</ref>
	\|region9 = {{space\|2}}{{ARG}}
	\|pop9 = 500,000
	\|ref9 = <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://edant.clarin.com/diario/2004/04/27/t-749506.htm\|title=Clarín.com - La ampliación de la Unión Europea habilita a 600 mil argentinos para ser comunitarios\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref>
	\|region10 = {{space\|2}}{{RUS}}
	\|pop10 = 273,000
	\|ref10 = <ref name="wspolnota-polska.org.pl">{{cite web\|url=http://wspolnota-polska.org.pl/polonia_w_liczbach.html\|title=Stowarzyszenie Wspólnota Polska\|author=Wspólnota Polska\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref>
	\|region11 = {{space\|2}}{{LIT}}
	\|pop11 = 212,800
	\|ref11 = <ref></ref>
	\|region12 = {{space\|2}}{{AUS}}
	\|pop12 = 216,056
	\|ref12 = <ref></ref>
	\|region13 = {{space\|2}}{{UKR}}
	\|pop13 = 144,130
	\|ref13 = <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://2001.ukrcensus.gov.ua/eng/results/nationality_population/nationality_1/s5/?botton=cens_db&box=5.1W&k_t=00&p=80&rz=1_1&rz_b=2_1%20%20%20&n_page=5\|title=Ukrainian Census 2001\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref>
	\|region14 = {{space\|2}}{{IRL}}
	\|pop14 = 122,585
	\|ref14 = <ref></ref>
	\|region15 = {{space\|2}}{{NOR}}
	\|pop15 = 120,000
	\|ref15 = <ref></ref>
	\|region16 = {{space\|2}}{{ITA}}
	\|pop16 = 109,018
	\|ref16 = <ref></ref>
	\|region17 = {{space\|2}}{{SWE}}
	\|pop17 = 75,323
	\|ref17 = <ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.scb.se/Statistik/BE/BE0101/2012A01x/be0101_Fodelseland_och_ursprungsland.xls \|title=Befolkning efter födelseland och ursprungsland 31 december 2012 \|publisher=] \|date=31 December 2013 \|accessdate=22 December 2013\|language=sv}}</ref>
	\|region18 = {{space\|2}}{{BEL}}
	\|pop18 = 70,600
	\|ref18 = <ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web\|url=http://wspolnota-polska.org.pl/polonia_w_liczbach.html\|title=Stowarzyszenie Wspólnota Polska\|author=Wspólnota Polska\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref>
	\|region19 = {{space\|2}}{{ESP}}
	\|pop19 = 70,606
	\|ref19 = <ref></ref>
	\|region20 = {{space\|2}}{{AUT}}
	\|pop20 = 60,000
	\|ref20 = <ref>{{PDFlink\|}}</ref>
	\|region21 = {{space\|2}}{{NLD}}
	\|pop21 = 60,000
	\|ref21 = <ref name="ReferenceA"/>
	\|region22 = {{space\|2}}{{CZE}}
	\|pop22 = 51,968
	\|ref22 = <ref></ref>
	\|region23 = {{space\|2}}{{LVA}}
	\|pop23 = 44,783
	\|ref23 = <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.csb.gov.lv/en/notikumi/key-provisional-results-population-and-housing-census-2011-33306.html\|title=On key provisional results of Population and Housing Census 2011\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref>
	\|region24 = {{space\|2}}{{DEN}}
	\|pop24 = 37,876
	\|ref24 = <ref>{{cite web\|title=Statistics Denmark:FOLK1: Population at the first day of the quarter by sex, age, ancestry, country of origin and citizenship\|url=http://www.statbank.dk/statbank5a/selectvarval/saveselections.asp\|publisher=Statistics Denmark\|accessdate=26 September 2014}}</ref>
	\|region25 = {{space\|2}}{{KAZ}}
	\|pop25 = 34,057
	\|ref25 = <ref></ref>
	\|region26 = {{space\|2}}{{RSA}}
	\|pop26 = 30,000
	\|ref26 = <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wspolnota-polska.org.pl/index.php?id=dubd2\|title=Stowarzyszenie Wspólnota Polska\|author=Wspólnota Polska\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref>
	\|region27 = {{space\|2}}{{UAE}}
	\|pop27 = 14,500
	\|ref27 = <ref name="ReferenceA"/>
	\|region28 = {{space\|2}}{{ISL}}
	\|pop28 = 10,540
	\|ref28 = <ref></ref>
	\|region29 = {{space\|2}}{{VEN}}
	\|pop29 = 9,000
	\|ref29 = <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.joshuaproject.net/countries.php?rog3=VE\|title=Country - Venezuela :: Joshua Project
	Joshua Project\|author=Joshua Project\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref>
	\|region30 = {{space\|2}}{{PER}}
	\|pop30 = 7,000
	\|ref30 = <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.espejodelperu.com.pe/Poblacion-del-Peru/Migraciones-europeas-minoritarias.htm\|title=Migraciones europeas minoritarias\|author=Erwin Dopf\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref>
	\|region31 = {{space\|2}}{{HUN}}
	\|pop31 = 5,730
	\|ref31 = <ref>http://www.ksh.hu/docs/hun/xftp/idoszaki/nepsz2011/nepsz_orsz_2011.pdf 2011 Census of Hungary</ref>
	\|region32 = {{space\|2}}{{MDA}}
	\|pop32 = 4,174
	\|ref32 = <ref>2004 Moldovan census, including Transnistria</ref>
	\|region33 = {{space\|2}}{{ROU}}
	\|pop33 = 3,671
	\|ref33 = <ref>2002 Romanian census.</ref>
	\|region34 = {{space\|2}}{{SVK}}
	\|pop34 = 3,084
	\|ref34 = <ref>http://portal.statistics.sk/files/tab.11.pdf</ref>
	\|region35 = {{space\|2}}{{FIN}}
	\|pop35 = 3,000
	\|ref35 = <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.helsinki.polemb.net/index.php?document=46\|title=Placówki Dyplomatyczne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref>
	\|region36 = {{space\|2}}{{EST}}
	\|pop36 = 2,200
	\|ref36 = <ref>]</ref>
	\|region37 = {{space\|2}}{{UAE}}
	\|pop37 = 2,000
	\|ref37 = <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/polish-expats-praise-freedom-given-by-uae-1.143306\|title=Polish expats praise freedom given by UAE\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref>
	\|region38 = {{space\|2}}{{COL}}
	\|pop38 = 1,500
	\|ref38 = <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://m.eluniversal.com.co/colombia/comenzo-la-cuenta-regresiva-para-eliminar-la-visa-schengen-151003\|title=Colombia\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref>
	\|region39 = {{space\|2}}{{TUR}}
	\|pop39 = 1,000
	\|ref39 = <ref name="Polonezkoy.com"></ref>
	\|region40 = {{space\|2}}{{ARM}}
	\|pop40 = 300
	\|ref40 = <ref name="Polonezkoy.com"/>
	\|region41 = Rest of world
	\|pop41 = Up to 20,000 (est.)
	\|ref41 = <ref></ref>
	\|languages = ]{{•}}]{{•}}]
	\|rels = Predominantly ]<br/>Significant minorities of ], ] (especially ]), ] and Non-Religious minorities
	\|related = Other ] (particularly ]), ]
	}}

	The '''Poles''' ({{lang-pl\|Polacy}}, {{IPA-pl\|pɔˈlat͡sɨ\|pron}}; singular masculine: ''Polak'', singular feminine: ''Polka) ''are a ] of predominantly ] ethnic origin who are native to ], inhabiting mainly ]. The present population of Poles living in Poland is estimated at 36,522,000 out of the overall Poland population of 38,512,000 (based on the ] of 2011).<ref name="stat"/> The ] to the ] defines the Polish nation as comprising all the ] of Poland.

	Poland's inhabitants live in the following historic regions of the country: ], ], ] ({{lang-pl\|Mazowsze}}), ] ({{lang-pl\|Śląsk}}), ] ({{lang-pl\|Pomorze}}), ], ], ], and ].

	A wide-ranging ] exists throughout Europe (], ], ], ], ], ] and ]), the Americas (the ], ], ] and ]) and ]. In 1960, ], in the United States, had the world's largest urban Polish population after ].<ref>"Sections of North Milwaukee Avenue are Main Street for Chicago's huge Polish population (the second-largest urban concentration after Warsaw's)" Chicago for Dummies by Laura Tibert 2007. p. 125; "DID YOU KNOW? Chicago, with nearly a million residents of Polish extraction, is often cited as the world's second-largest Polish city after Warsaw." Poland by Neil Wilson, Tom Parkinson, Richard Watkins, 2005, p. 33; "In 1960, Chicago claimed 700 000 residents of Polish descent, making it the American city with the largest Polish community and, after Warsaw, the second largest aggregation of urban Poles in the world." Human development by James O. Lugo, Gerald L. Hershey, 1979</ref> Today the largest urban concentration of Poles is the Katowice urban agglomeration known as the ], of 2.7 million inhabitants. There is a festival in ], called ], and a festival in Chicago, Illinois, called "Polish Fest Chicago", that celebrate the Polish people.

	Over a thousand years ago, the ] of ], ] and ]—an influential tribe in ]—succeeded in uniting ] tribes under what became the ],<ref>]. Fragmenty dziejów Słowiańszczyzny zachodniej, t.1-2 p.72 2002; ]. Początki Polski: z dziejów Słowian w I tysiącleciu n.e, t. 5 p.472; ], 1923. p. 270</ref> thus giving rise to the Polish state.

	Emigrant Poles included a wide range of important ] generals such as ] and ], statesmen such as the ] member of the ], ] and ] ]. Outside of the US, prominent politicians include the 21st ], founder of ] and highest-rated ] president ] as well as several ] heads of state, including ], founder of Israel, former ] ] and ] ] and ].

	==Origins==
	The ] have been in the territory of modern Poland for over 1500 years. They organized into ], of which the larger ones were later known as the ]; the names of many tribes are found on the list compiled by the anonymous ] in the 9th century.<ref name="playground I xxvii">{{Harvnb\|Davies\|2005a\|p=xxvii}}.</ref> In the 9th and 10th centuries the tribes gave rise to developed regions along the upper ] (the ] within the ]n Empire sphere),<ref name="playground I xxvii"/> the ] coast and in ]. The last tribal undertaking resulted in the 10th century in a lasting ] and ], ], one of the ] nations.<ref name="UzP 122-143">{{Harvnb\|Derwich\|Żurek\|2002\|pp=122–143}}.</ref>

	The concept which has become known as the ], the chief propopent of which was ], is based on the statement that the ] homeland was inhabited by so-called "native" aboriginal Slavs and Slavonic Poles since time immemorial and only later was "infiltrated" by "alien" ], ] and others. After 1945 the so-called "autochthonous" or "aboriginal" school of Polish prehistory received official backing in Poland and a considerable degree of popular support. According to this view, the ] which archaeologists have identified between the ] and the ] in the early ], is said to be Slavonic; all non-Slavonic tribes and peoples recorded in the area at various points in ancient times are dismissed as "migrants" and "visitors". In contrast, the critics of this theory, such as ], regard it as an unproved hypotheses and for them the date and origin of the westward migration of the Slavs is largely uncharted; the Slavonic connections of the Lusatian Culture are entirely imaginary; and the presence of an ethnically mixed and constantly changing collection of peoples on the ] is taken for granted.<ref>] </ref>

	== Statistics ==
	Polish people are the sixth largest national group in the ].<ref>NationMaster.com 2003-2008. . Retrieved 2008-01-25.</ref> Estimates vary depending on source, though available data suggest a total number of around 60 million people worldwide (with roughly 21 million living outside of Poland, many of whom are not of Polish ethnicity, but Polish nationals).<ref name=polonia /> There are almost 38 million Poles in Poland alone. There are also Polish minorities in the surrounding countries including ], and ] minorities in the ], ], ], and ]. There are some smaller indigenous minorities in nearby countries such as ] and ]. There is also a Polish minority in ] which includes indigenous Poles as well as those forcibly deported during and after ]; the total number of Poles in what was the former ] is estimated at up to 3 million.<ref>Gil Loescher, , published by the ] Press US, 1993, 1996. ISBN 0-19-510294-0. Retrieved 12-12-2007.</ref>

	[[File:Poles by country.png\|thumb\|377px\|The map depicts countries by number of citizens who reported Polish ancestry (based on sources in this article)
	{{legend\|black\|Poland}}
	{{legend\|#B7410E\|More than 1 million}}
	{{legend\|#FF4500\|More than 500 thousand}}
	{{legend\|#F4A460\|More than 100 thousand}}]]

	The term "]" is usually used in Poland to refer to people of Polish origin who live outside Polish borders, officially estimated at around 10 to 20 million. There is a notable Polish ] in the ], ], and ]. ] has a historic relationship with Poland and has a relatively large Polish-descendant population. Poles have lived in France since the 18th century. In the early 20th century, over a million Polish people settled in France, mostly during world wars, among them Polish émigrés fleeing either Nazi occupation or later Soviet rule.

	In the United States, a significant number of Polish immigrants settled in ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. The highest concentration of ] in a single New England municipality is in ]. The majority of Polish Canadians have arrived in Canada since World War II. The number of Polish immigrants increased between 1945 and 1970, and again after the ]. In Brazil the majority of Polish immigrants settled in ] State. Smaller, but significant numbers settled in the states of ], ] and ]. The city of ] has the second largest Polish diaspora in the world (after Chicago) and ], ] and ] are quite common in the region.

	] of Poles took place following Poland's accession to the ] and opening of the EU's labor market; with an approximate number of 2 million primarily young Poles taking up jobs abroad.<ref name=onet>http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/swiat/sueddeutsche-zeitung-polska-przezywa-najwieksza-fale-emigracji-od-100-lat/yrtt0"Sueddeutsche Zeitung": Polska przeżywa największą falę emigracji od 100 lat</ref> It is estimated that over half a million Polish people have come to work in the ] from Poland. Since 2011, Poles have been able to ] throughout the ] and not just in the United Kingdom, ], ] and ] where they have had limited rights since Poland's ]. The Polish community in ] has increased substantially and has grown to a total number of 120,000, making Poles the largest immigrant group in Norway.In ] Poles are 3% of the entire population.{{fact\|date=November 2014}}

	== Culture ==
	] at a Ball at Queen Bona's Court, by ], 1862]]
	{{main\|Culture of Poland}}
	The ] has a ].<ref>Adam Zamoyski, . Published 1993, Hippocrene Books, Poland, ISBN 0-7818-0200-8</ref> Poland, located in ], developed a character that was influenced by its geography at the confluence of fellow ] (], ], ] and ]), ] (] and ]), ] (]n and ]), ] (], ] and ]) and ] (] and ]). Influences were conveyed by immigrants (Jewish, German and Dutch), political alliances (with ], ], ], France and ]), conquests of the Polish state (Ukraine, Belarus and Latvia) and conquerors of the Polish lands (Russia; Kingdom of Prussia; and the Habsburg monarchy, later the Austrian Empire and Austro-Hungary).

	Over time, Polish culture has been greatly influenced by its ties with the ], ] and other ethnic groups and minorities living in ].<ref name="MFA">], 2002–2007, Access date 12-13-2007.</ref> The people of Poland have traditionally been seen as hospitable to artists from abroad (especially Italy) and open to cultural and artistic trends popular in other European countries. Owing to this central location, the Poles came very early into contact with both civilizations – eastern and western, and as a result developed economically, culturally, and politically. A German general ], in his ''Poland. A historical sketch'' (1885), stated that Poland prior to her ] was "the most civilized country in Europe".

	In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Polish focus on cultural advancement often took precedence over political and economic activity, experiencing severe crisis, especially during World War II and in the following years. These factors have contributed to the versatile nature of Polish art, with all its complex nuances.<ref name="MFA" />

	=== Language ===
	]: the oldest known sentence written in ] (highlighted in red)]]
	{{main\|Polish language}}
	The ] ({{lang-pl\|język polski}}) is a ] and the official language of Poland. Its written form uses the ], which is the ] with the addition of a few ].

	Poland is the most linguistically homogeneous European country; nearly 97% of Poland's citizens declare ] as their mother tongue. Elsewhere, ethnic Poles constitute large minorities in Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine. Polish is the most widely used minority language in Lithuania's ] County (26% of the population, according to the 2001 census results) and is found elsewhere in southeastern Lithuania. In Ukraine it is most common in the western ] and Volyn oblast (provinces), while in Western Belarus it is used by the significant Polish minority, especially in the ] and ] regions and in areas along the Lithuanian border.

	The geographical distribution of the ] was greatly affected by the border changes and population transfers that followed ]. Poles settled in the "]" in the west and north, which had previously been mostly German-speaking. Some Poles remained in the previously Polish-ruled territories in the east that were annexed by the ], resulting in the present-day Polish-speaking minorities in ], ], and ], although many Poles were expelled or emigrated from those areas to areas within Poland's new borders. Meanwhile the flight and expulsion of Germans, as well as the expulsion of Ukrainians and resettlement of Ukrainians within Poland, contributed to the country's linguistic homogeneity.

	Polish-speakers use the language in a uniform manner throughout most of Poland, though numerous languages and dialects coexist alongside the standard Polish language. The most common dialects in Poland are ], spoken in Upper Silesia, and ], widely spoken in the north.

	=== Science and technology ===
	]]]
	]]]
	]]]
	]]]
	Education has been of prime interest to Poland since the early 12th century. The catalog of the library of the Cathedral Chapter in ] dating from 1110 shows that Polish scholars already then had access to literature from all over Europe.

	In 1364 King ] founded the ], which would become Jagiellonian University, one of the great universities of Europe.

	The list of early famous scientists in Poland begins with the 13th-century ] and includes the ] ].

	In 1773 King ] established the ], the world's first ministry of education.

	After the 1795 ], no Polish state existed. The 19th and 20th centuries saw many Polish scientists working abroad. The greatest was ], a physicist and chemist living in France. Another notable expatriate scientist was ], a geologist and mineralogist who worked in Chile.

	In the first half of the 20th century, Poland was a world center of mathematics. Outstanding Polish mathematicians formed the ] (including ], ], ]) and ] (including ], ], ]). ] pushed many of them into exile; ]'s family left Poland when he was still a child. An alumnus of the Warsaw School of Mathematics was ], a shaper of 20th-century ].

	Today Poland has over 100 institutions of post-secondary education — technical, medical, economic, as well as ] — located in major cities such as ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. They employ over 61,000 scientists and scholars. Another 300 research-and-development institutes are home to some 10,000 researchers. There are also a number of smaller laboratories. Altogether, these institutions support some 91,000 scientists and scholars.

	=== Music ===
	]]]
	{{main\|Music of Poland}}
	The origin of Polish music can be traced as far back as the 13th century, from which manuscripts have been found in ], containing ] compositions related to the Parisian ]. Other early compositions, such as the melody of '']'', may also date back to this period. The first known notable composer, however, ], lived in the 15th century.

	During the 16th century, mostly two musical groups—both based in ] and belonging to the King and Archbishop of Wawel—led the rapid innovation of Polish music. Composers writing during this period include ], ], and ]. ], a native-born Italian who lived in Kraków from about the age of five, became one of the most famous lutenists at the court of Sigismund III, and not only imported some of the musical styles from southern Europe, but blended them with native folk music.<ref>{{cite web \|author=\|url=http://www.semper.pl/muzyczne_dwory_summary.pdf \|title=The Music Courts of the Polish Vasas \|work=www.semper.pl \|publisher= \|pages= \|page=244 \|accessdate=2009-05-13}}</ref>

	==== 17th and 18th centuries ====
	In the last years of the 16th century and the first part of the 17th century, a number of Italian musicians were guests at the royal courts of ] and ]. These included ], ], and ]. Polish composers from this period focused on ] religious music, ]s for voices, instruments, and ], a tradition that continued into the 18th century. The best-remembered composer of this period is ], known for his instrumental works such as ''Chromatica'', ''Tamburetta'', ''Sentinella'', ''Bentrovata'', and ''Nova Casa''. Other composers include ], ], ], ] and ].

	In addition, a tradition of operatic production began in Warsaw in 1628, with a performance of ''Galatea'' (composer uncertain), the first Italian opera produced outside Italy. Shortly after this performance, the court produced ]'s opera '']'', which she had written for Prince ] three years earlier when he was in Italy. Another first, this is the earliest surviving opera written by a woman. When Władysław was king (as Władysław IV) he oversaw the production of at least ten operas during the late 1630s and 1640s, making Warsaw a center of the art. The composers of these operas are not known: they may have been Poles working under Marco Scacchi<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.cpdl.org/index.php/Marco_Scacchi\|title=Marco Scacchi\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref> in the royal chapel, or they may have been among the Italians imported by Władysław.

	The late 17th and 18th century saw a decline of Poland, which also hindered the development of music. Some composers attempted to create a Polish opera (such as Jan Stefani and Maciej Kamieński), others imitated foreign composers such as ] and ].

	The most important development in this time, however, was the ], perhaps the first distinctively Polish ]. Polonaises for piano were and remain popular, such as those by ], ], ], ], ], ], and, most famously, ]. Chopin remains very well known, and is regarded for composing a wide variety of works, including ]s, ]s, ]es and ]s, and using traditional Polish elements in his pieces. The same period saw ], the leading individual in the successful development of ], still renowned for operas like '']'' and '']''.

	==== Traditional music ====
	]]]
	]]]
	] ] was collected in the 19th century by ], as part of a wave of Polish ].<ref>Broughton 2000, p. 219.</ref> With the coming of the world wars and then the ], folk traditions were oppressed or subsumed into state-approved folk ensembles.<ref name="Ibidem, p. 219">''Ibidem'', p. 219.</ref> The most famous of the state ensembles are ] and ], both of which still perform. Though these bands had a regional touch to their output, the overall sound was a homogenized mixture of Polish styles. There were more authentic state-supported groups, such as ], but the Communist sanitized image of folk music made the whole field seem unhip to young audiences, and many traditions dwindled rapidly.

	Polish dance music, especially the ] and ], were popularized by Frédéric Chopin, and they soon spread across Europe and elsewhere.<ref name="Ibidem, p. 219"/> These are triple time dances, while five-beat forms are more common in the northeast and duple-time dances like the ] come from the south. The polonaise comes from the French word for ''Polish'' to identify its origin among the Polish aristocracy, who had adapted the dance from a slower walking dance called ].<ref name="Ibidem, p. 219"/> The polonaise then re-entered the lower-class musical life, and became an integral part of Polish music.

	=== Literature ===
	{{main\|Polish literature}}
	Polish literature is the literary tradition of Poland. Most Polish literature has been written in the Polish language, though other languages, used in Poland over the centuries, have also contributed to Polish literary traditions, including ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].

	==== Middle Ages ====
	]]]
	Almost nothing remains of Polish literature prior to the ] in 966. Poland's ] inhabitants certainly possessed an oral literature extending to Slavic songs, legends and beliefs, but early Christian writers did not deem it worthy of mention in the obligatory Latin, and so it has perished.<ref name="Miłosz-1">], Google Books preview. '']'', ], 1983. ISBN 0-520-04477-0. {{nowrap\|Retrieved October 18, 2011.}}</ref>

	The first recorded sentence in the ] reads: "''Day ut ia pobrusa, a ti poziwai''" ("Let me grind, and you take a rest") — a ] of the Latin "''Sine, ut ego etiam molam.''" The work, in which this phrase appeared, reflects the culture of early Poland. The sentence was written within the Latin language chronicle '']'' from between 1269 and 1273, a history of the ] monastery in ], ]. It was recorded by an abbot known simply as Piotr (Peter), referring to an event almost a hundred years earlier. The sentence was supposedly uttered by a Bohemian settler, Bogwal ("Bogwalus Boemus"), a subject of ], expressing compassion for his own wife who "very often stood grinding by the ]."<ref name="Mikos">{{cite web \| url=http://staropolska.gimnazjum.com.pl/ang/middleages/Mikos_middle/Literary_m.html \| title=MIDDLE AGES LITERARY BACKGROUND \| last=Mikoś \| first=Michael J. \| year=1999 \| publisher=Staropolska on-line \| accessdate=2008-09-25}}</ref> Most notable early ] Polish works in Latin and the ] include the oldest extant manuscript of fine prose in the ] entitled the '']'', as well as the earliest Polish-language ''Bible of Queen Zofia'' and the ''Chronicle of ]'' from the 14th century, not to mention the ''Puławy Psalter''.<ref name="Miłosz-1" />

	In the early 1470s, one of the first printing houses in Poland was set up by ] in ] (see: ]). In 1475 Kasper Elyan of ] set up a printing shop in ], ]. Twenty years later, the first ] printing house was founded at Kraków by ] for ] hierarchs. The most notable texts produced in that period include ''Saint Florian's Breviary,'' printed partially in Polish in the late 14th century; ''Statua synodalia Wratislaviensia'' (1475): a printed collection of Polish and Latin prayers; as well as ]'s ''Chronicle'' from the 15th century and his ''Catalogus archiepiscoporum Gnesnensium''.<ref name="Miłosz-1" />

	==== Renaissance ====
	]]]
	With the advent of the ], the Polish language was finally accepted on an equal footing with Latin. Polish culture and art flourished under ] rule, and many foreign poets and writers settled in Poland, bringing with them new literary trends. Such writers included ] (]) and ]. Many Polish writers studied abroad, and at the ], which became a melting pot for new ideas and currents. In 1488 the world's first writers' club, called '']'' was founded in Kraków. Notable members included ], ], ] and ].<ref name="Miłosz-1" />

	==== Baroque ====
	]]]
	The literature in the period of ]<ref name="bookinstitute.pl">], ''Instytut Książki'', Poland. Retrieved September 17, 2011.</ref> (between 1620 and 1764) was significantly influenced by the great popularization of ] high schools, which offered education based on ] ] as part of a preparation for a political career. The studies of poetry required the practical knowledge of writing both Latin and Polish poems, which radically increased the number of poets and versifiers countrywide. On the soil of humanistic education some exceptional writers grew as well: Piotr Kochanowski (1566–1620) gave his translation of ]'s '']''; ], a ], became known among European nations as ''Horatius christianus '' (Christian ]) for his Latin writings; ] (1621–1693), an epicurean courtier and diplomat, extolled in his sophisticated poems the valors of earthly delights; and ] (1621–1696), the most productive writer of the Polish Baroque, unified the typical opinions of Polish ] with some deeper reflections and existential experiences. Notable Polish writers and poets active in this period include:
	{\| width=100%
	\| width=50% valign=top \|
	* ] (1550–1581), ''Rymy''
	* Kasper Miaskowski (1550?–1622)
	* ] (1573–1640)
	* ] (1581–1623)
	* ] (1588–1656)
	* ] (1595–1640)
	* ] (1597–1677)
	* ] (1600?–1661)
	* Szymon Zimorowic (1608?–1629), ''Roksolanki''
	* ] (1611–1655)
	\|
	\| valign=top \|
	* ] (1612–1666)
	* ] (1621–1693), leading ] poet
	* ] (1621–1696), ''Wojna Chocimska''
	* ] (Morstyn, 1628?-1689)
	* ] (1633–1645)
	* ] (1636–1701), ''Pamietniki'' (memoirs)
	* ], "Lekcyje Kupidynowe" (church-banned erotica)
	* Sebastian Grabowiecki (1543–1607)
	* Piotr Kochanowski (1566–1620)
	* Jan z Kijan (Dzwonowski?, early 1600s)<ref name="KB">Karol Badecki, Wydawnictwa Akademii Umiejętności w Krakowie. Biblioteka Pisarzów Polskich. ]. Nakładem Akademii Umiejętności. 1910. 119s. {{pl icon}}</ref>
	\|}

	==== Enlightenment ====
	]]]
	The period of ] began in the 1730s–40s and peaked in the second half of the 18th century during the reign of ], ].<ref name="bookinstitute.pl-2">Jacek Adamczyk, book review: ''Instytut Książki'', Poland. Retrieved September 17, 2011.</ref> It went into sharp decline with the ] of Poland (1795), followed by political, cultural and economic destruction of the country, and leading to the ] of Polish elites. The Enlightenment ended around 1822, and was replaced by ] at home and abroad.<ref name="Miłosz-1" />

	One of the leading Polish Enlightenment poets was ] (1735–1801), known locally as "the Prince of Poets" and ], author of the first Polish novel called '']'' (Mikołaja Doświadczyńskiego przypadki); he was also a ], ], ] and ] from ] and ]. Another prominent writer of the period was ] (1761–1815), a Polish nobleman, ], ], and adventurer, whose travel ]s made him legendary in his homeland. Outside Poland he is known chiefly for his novel, ''],'' which has drawn comparisons to such celebrated works as the ''Decameron'' and ''the Arabian Nights''.

	==== Romanticism ====
	]]]
	]]]
	Due to ] carried out by the neighboring empires – which ended the existence of the ] in 1795 – ], unlike ] elsewhere in Europe, was largely a movement for independence against the foreign occupation, and expressed the ideals and the traditional way of life of the Polish people. The period of Romanticism in Poland ended with the Tsarist suppression of the ], marked by public executions by the Russians and deportations to Siberia.<ref> and </ref>

	The literature of Polish ] falls into two distinct periods, both defined by ]: the first around 1820–1830, ending with the ] of 1830; and the second between 1830–1864, giving birth to ]. In the first period, Polish Romantics were heavily influenced by other European Romantics - Their art featured ]alism and imagination, ], country life, as well as the propagation of the ideals of ]. The most famous writers of the period were: ], ], ] and ]. In the second period (after the ]), many Polish Romantics worked abroad, often banished from the Polish soil by the occupying power. Their work became dominated by the ideals of freedom and the struggle for regaining their country's lost ]. Elements of mysticism became more prominent. Also in that period, the idea of the '']'' (nation's bard) developed. The ''wieszcz'' functioned as spiritual leader to the suppressed people. The most notable poet among the ], so recognized in both periods, was ]. Other two national poets were: ] and ]. Polish writers and poets of the Romantic period include:
	{\| width=100%
	\| width=50% valign=top \|
	* ] (1770–1861)
	* ] (1787–1861)
	* ] (1791–1876), '']''
	* ] (1791–1835)
	* ] (1793–1826)
	* ] (1796–1846)
	* ] (1798–1855), '']'', '']''
	* ] (1798–1845)
	* ] (1801–1871)
	* ] (1801–1876)
	* ] (1804–1886)
	* ] (1812–1859), ''Nie-boska Komedia''
	* ] (1812–1887), '']''
	* ] (1818–1895)
	* ] (1824–1915)
	\|
	\| valign=top \|
	* ] (1768–1854)
	* ] (1791–1866)
	* ] (1796–1855)
	* ] (1802–1886)
	* ] (1803–1834)
	* ] (1807–1882)
	* ] (1807–1877)
	* ] (1809–1849), '']'', '']''
	* ] (1819–1876)
	* ] (1821–1883), ''Vade-mecum''
	* ] (1822–1893)
	* ] (1823–1862)
	* ] (1823–1897)
	* ] (1834–1908)
	* ] (1834–1863)
	\|}

	==== Positivism ====
	]]]
	In the aftermath of the failed ] against the ] occupation, the new period of ] began to advocate skepticism and the exercise of reason. Questions addressed by the "Positivist" writers revolved around the so-called "organic work," which included the establishment of ] for all members of society; the ] of Poland's ]; and the defense of the Polish population in the German-ruled part of Poland against '']'' and their ]. The writers were poised to educate the public about constructive ], which would enable Polish society to function as a fully integrated ''social organism,'' regardless of external circumstances.<ref>], ''The History of Polish Literature'', p. 284.</ref> The period lasted until the turn of the 20th century and the advent of the ] movement.

	==== Young Poland (1890-1918) ====
	]]]
	The ] period known as the ] movement in visual arts, literature and ], came into being around 1890, and concluded with the ] (1918). The period was based on two concepts. Its early stage was characterized by a strong ] opposition to the ideals of ] (promoting ''organic work'' in the face of foreign occupation). Artists following this early philosophy of Young Poland believed in ], ], conflict between human values and civilization, and the existence of ]. Prominent authors who followed this trend included ], ] and ].

	==== Interbellum and the return to independence (1918-1939) ====
	]]]
	Literature of the ] (1918-1939) encompasses a short, though exceptionally dynamic period in Polish literary consciousness. The socio-political reality has changed radically with Poland's return to independence. In large part, derivative of these changes was the collective and unobstructed development of programs for artists and writers. New ] trends had emerged. The period, spanning just twenty years, was full of notable individualities who saw themselves as exponents of changing European civilization, including ], ], ], ], ] and ] (]).

	==== 1945 to 1956 ====
	Much of Polish literature written during the ] appeared in print only after the conclussion of World War II, including books by ], ], ] and others.<ref name="JB-WE" /> The Soviet takeover of the country did not discourage ]s and exiles from returning, especially before the advent of ]. Indeed, many writers attempted to recreate the Polish literary scene, often with a touch of nostalgia for the prewar reality, including ], author of '']'', describing the political and moral dilemmas associated with the ]. His novel was adapted into film a decade later by ]. The new emerging prose writers such as ] and ] approached the catastrophe of war from their own perspective. ] coined a term "borderline novel" for documentary fiction.<ref name="JB-WE">Jean Albert Bédé, William Benbow Edgerton, Page 632. '']'', 1980. {{nowrap\|ISBN 0-231-03717-1}}</ref>

	=== Religion ===
	] by ]]]
	{{main\|Religion in Poland}}
	Most ] adhere to the ], the majority belonging to the ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pl.html\|title=The World Factbook\|publisher=\|accessdate=14 November 2014}}</ref> The remaining religious part of the population consists mainly of ], ], various ] and ].<ref>{{pl icon}} ''''. Retrieved on June 17, 2008.</ref> Roman Catholics live all over the country, while Orthodox Christians can be found mostly in north-east, in the area of ], and Protestants (mainly Lutherans) in ] and ]. A growing Jewish population exists in major cities, especially in ] and ].{{citation needed\|date=February 2014}} Over two million Jews of Polish ancestry reside in the United States, Brazil, and Israel.{{citation needed\|date=February 2014}}

	According to ] freedom of religion is ensured to everyone. It also allows for national and ethnic minorities to have the right to establish educational and cultural institutions, institutions designed to protect religious identity, as well as to participate in the resolution of matters connected with their cultural identity.

	Religious organizations in the Republic of Poland can register their institution with the ] creating a record of churches and other religious organizations who operate under separate Polish laws. This registration is not necessary; however, it is beneficial when it comes to serving the freedom of religious practice laws.

	The Slavic ] groups, registered with the Polish authorities in 1995, are the ] (Rodzimy Kościół Polski) which represents a pagan tradition that goes back to Władysław Kołodziej’s 1921 Holy Circle of Worshipper of ] (Święte Koło Czcicieli Światowida), and the Polish Slavic Church (Polski Kościół Słowiański),<ref>Simpson, Scott (2000). Native Faith: Polish Neo-Paganism At the Brink of the 21st Century</ref> There's also the Native Faith Association (Zrzeszenie Rodzimej Wiary, ZRW), and the Association for Tradition and Culture '']'' (founded in 1998). {{see also\|Roman Catholicism in Poland\|Polish National Catholic Church\|Polish Orthodox Church\|Polish Lutheran Church\|Pentecostal Church in Poland\|Baptist Union of Poland\|Polish Reformed Church}}

	== Exonyms ==
	{{see also\|Lechites}}

	Among the ]s not native to the Polish people or language are: лях (''lyakh'') used in ]. Today, the word ''Lachy'' is used in Belorussian, Ukrainian (now considered offensive{{citation needed\|date=November 2013}} and is replaced by the neutral поляк (polyak)) and Russian as synonyms for "Poles". The foreign exonyms include also: ] ''Lenkai'', ] ''Lengyelek'', ] ''Leh'', {{lang-hy\|Լեհաստան}} ''Lehastan''; {{lang-fa\|لهستان}} ''Lahestān''.

	{{clear}}

	== See also ==
	{{Div col\|\|20em}}
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ] (] of the ])
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]s
	* ]s
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	* ]
	{{Div col end}}

	== References ==
	{{reflist\|30em}}

	== External links ==
	{{commons category\|People of Poland}}
	<!--; Other-->
	*

	{{Slavic ethnic groups}}
	{{Polish diaspora}}

	]
	]
	]
	]
	]

Revision as of 19:37, 16 February 2015