Interesting locations in Poland

Poland's tourism greatly contributes to the country’s economy. Some of the popular sites include:

• Auschwitz-Birkenau - settled in German-occupied southern Poland and largest of Nazi Germany's immersion camps;
• Kraków - one of the largest and oldest cities in Poland. Notable landmarks include the Zygmunt Bell at the Wawel Cathedral, the Sukiennice Cloth Hall, Main Market Square with St. Mary's Basilica and the St Florian's Gate, and the Wawel Castle;
• Lublin - largest city in eastern Poland and the capital of Lublin Voivodeship. It has also numerous philharmonic orchestras, theatres and museums;
• Toruń - birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus. In 1997, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site;
• Warsaw - largest city and capital of Poland. Famous for its association with the Treaty of Warsaw, Warsaw Convention, Warsaw Pact and Warsaw Uprising; and Wrocław - main city of the historical area of Lower Silesia in south-western Poland.

The national parks in Poland are Babia Gora (features more than 105 species of birds and common mammals like while lynx, bears, deer and wolves); Bialowieza; Bieszczady; Bory Tucholskie (this park was built to protect unique models of ecosystems typical for the region of Pomerania); Gorce (home of numerous mountain plants); Kampinos (has around 650 kinds of vascular plants).

Some famous resorts for hiking and skiing are Zakopane in the Tatra mountains, Krościenko in Pieniny mountains, Karkonosze mountains and Szczyrk, Krynica in Beskides or Szczawnica. Other tourist attractions include Białowieża Forest and northeast Poland's Mazury lake zone.