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Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic States, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania have a lot in common. Along with the rest of eastern Europe they gained independence from communism in the 1990s.
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
The Northern plain covers much of Poland with its flat fertile soil.
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
Poland fought for it’s freedom for hundreds of years and in the 1950’s communists took over the economy and limited the rights of citizens until 1989 when Poland had their first free election.
Poland’s Capital is Warsaw
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
Today most people living in Poland are Poles.
Their ancestry belonged to the Slavic tribes that settled in Poland long ago. The mythical brothers Lech,
Czech and Rus, the mythical founders of Polish, Czech, and Russian nations
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
Polish, a Slavic language is spoken throughout the country and most Poles are Roman Catholic.
Roman Catholic Cathedral in Poland
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
In 1978, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was the first Polish pope, Pope John Paul II.
Pope John Paul II
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic statesPoland has a rich
cultural past with an emphasis on education with outstanding scientists such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Marie Curie.
Nicolaus Copernicus
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
After Communism left Poland it became a Republic and in 1997 it adopted a new constitution. Voters elect the nations president and legislature and the prime minister runs the government.
The Poland republic symbol
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
Poland now has a market economy and joined the European Union in 2004. The countries major industries include the production of coal, iron, steel and machinery.
Iron and Steel plant in Poland
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
In 1922 the Ukraine was controlled by the Soviet Union. In 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed and the Ukraine was given its independence.
The Ukraine flag
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
About ¾ of the Ukraine population is ethnic Ukrainian and Russians are the largest ethnic minority as 1/5 of their population.
The dominant religion in the Ukraine is Eastern orthodox , which is Christian.
Eastern Orthodox Church in Kiev, Ukraine
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
Ukrainian is the official language of the Ukraine and about 2/3 of Ukrainians live in Kiev the capital and other cities.
The Capital of the Ukraine Kiev.
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
The Ukraine today is a democracy with a president, prime minister, and legislature. The President of the Ukraine is
Viktor Yanukovych
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
Ukraine's rich soil has made it the bread basket or major grain producing region in Europe. The Ukraine fertile soil because of the
Northern European plain
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
The Baltic States- Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania share a coastline on the Baltic sea.
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
The Baltic States all claimed independence from the Soviet Union and were recognized as a republic in 1991.
The Capital of the Baltic state Latvia is Riga
The Capital of Lithuania Is Vilnius
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
In Lithuania most people speak Lithuanian and are Roman Catholic, while the people of Latvia speak Latvian and Estonia speaks Estonian. The majority of citizens in Latvia and Estonia are Lutheran Protestants. Roman Catholic church in
Lithuania
Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states
All of the Baltic states are republics with an elected president and legislature.
All the Baltic states joined the European Union and 2004. Germany has become a major trading partner since that time and has helped the Baltic States economy.
The Capital of Estonia is Tallinn