Size: 312,683 square kilometers, including inland waters.

Topography: Chiefly plains, most notably in vast central lowlands significant highlands in southwest (Sudeten Mountains) and southeast (Tatra Mountains, northernmost part of Carpathian range). Only 3 percent above 500 meters, about 90 percent below 300 meters. Wide lake region above central lowland dotted with lakes occupying about 10 percent of surface area.

Climate: Dominant continental climate year round, but considerable winter snow and fog from maritime air currents. Summers less humid with occasional showers rainy season in November. Longest growing season in southwest, shortest in northeast. Average annual precipitation 600 millimeters, higher in mountains. Summer precipitation averages twice that in winter.

Data as of October 1992