Poland, country located in Central Europe, with a long and resilient history marked by both prosperity and hardship. It emerged as a unified kingdom in the 10th century and became a major European power during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. The name “Poland” is derived from the Polans, a West Slavic tribe that inhabited the region. Despite being partitioned and erased from the map in the late 18th century by neighboring empires, Poland regained its independence in 1918. Throughout its history, Poland has been a crossroads of diverse cultures and a symbol of perseverance. Today, it is a democratic republic and a member of the European Union. The capital is Warsaw.