The colors of the Polish flag originated in its coat of arms, a white eagle on a red shield, dating from 1295. The precise symbolism of the colors is not known, however. Poland's simple flag of white-red horizontal stripes was adopted on Aug. 1, 1919. The flag was left unaltered under the Soviet-allied communist regime (1944 to 1990).

Poland Official name: Rzeczpospolita Polska (Republic of Poland). Form of government: unitary multiparty republic with two legislative houses (Senate [100]; Diet [460]). Chief of state: President. Head of government: Prime Minister. Population (1998): 38,665,000. Population projection: (2000) 38,684,000; (2010) 39,969,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1997): 0.0 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$124,682,000,000 (U.S.$3,230 per capita). Land use (1994): forest 28.8%; meadow 13.3%; agricultural and under permanent cultivation 47.0%; other 10.9%.

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