SMOKING Smoking is completely banned on public transportation, including taxis, trains, company cars, public transport stops, children's playgrounds, schools, universities, workplaces, sports arenas, and other places where the public gathers. Anyone caught smoking in these places by police or local city guard is subject to a 500 zl~oty fine. Right now that's about $173.00 US. It is possible to smoke in some bars, restaurants as long as the premises meets certain size criteria and there is a separate room set aside for smokers. If you're a smoker, look for No smoking signs and/or ask an employee before lighting up. ******************************************************************* DRIVING Poland is one of Europe's leading nations in road fatalities. Poor road surfaces, roads unsuited to the explosion of auto use, and inconsiderate drivers are common. Speed limit is 50 km/hr in cities (60 km/hr between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 .m.), 90 km/hr outside urban areas (between villages), 110 km/hr on divided highways and 130 km/hr on motorways (few and far between in Poland). While pedestrians and bicycles are still a common site on Polish roads they are not allowed on motorways. A motorway is similar to a U.S. highway/tollway/freeway. All passengers must wear seat belts and it is illegal for drivers to use hand-held mobile phones. If you follow the letter of the law the car should be equipped with a first aid kit and warning triangle, fire extinguisher, read wheel mud flaps and left and right hand outside mirrors. This is usually not an issue in rental cars. The legal limit for drunk driving is .2% blood alcohol level = don't drink at all and drive. EU citizens may use their valid home driving licenses. Citizens from countries in which the Vienna Convention was not ratified (including the U.S. & Australia) must carry their valid country's (state's) drivers license as well as passport and International Driver's License (issued only through AAA Insurance/Travel). Headlights must be on any time the car is moving. Jaywalking is illegal. ******************************************************************* POPULATION As of 2009 the population in Poland was 38,135,876 Warsaw: 1,709,781 people Krakow: 754,624 L~o~dz~: 747,152 Wrocl~aw: 632,162 Poznan~: 557,624 Gdan~sk: 455,581 Katowice: 309,621 Sopot: 38,821 ******************************************************************* TIME Poland is in the Central European time zone. When it's 11:00 a.m. in Warsaw, it's 10:00 a.m. in London. When it is 11:00 a.m. in Warsaw, it is 5:00 a.m. in New York and 4:00 a.m. in Chicago. ******************************************************************* MARKET VALUES as of November 2010 McDonald's Big Mac 8.60 zl. $2.97 US Snickers Candy Bar 1.49 zl. .51 1/2 liter Vodka 21.00 zl $7.25 1/2 liter beer in store 2.89 zl $1.00 1/2 liter beer in bar 8.00 zl $2.76 Loaf white bread 2.70zl .93 Marlboro cigarettes 11.20zl $3.87 2 pints unleaded gas 4.99 zl $1.72 or $6.88 gallon ******************************************************************* MISCELLANEOUS Poland covers an area of 312,685 square kilometers or 120,728 sq. miles. Poland will fit inside the U.S. state of Texas but it is bigger than the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Longest river in Poland is the Wisl~a and flows _north_ into the Bay of Gdan~sk. Highest point/peak in Poland is Rysy (2,499 meters) found in the Tatra mountains in southern Poland. Many U.S. cities have "twins" in Poland. Check with your local city government. Electricity in Poland is 230V. Plugs have two round-pins. Credit cards are accepted in hotels, gas stations and large restaurants. Traveler's Cheques can be difficult to use. Debbie (above information found in "In Your Pocket")