The myriad influences that have shaped the Polish environment over millions of years have resulted in a tremendously diversified landscape. Volcanoes, glaciers, water, and wind have produced stunning landscape across Poland, from the mountains in the south to the middle plains and the Lake District (Masuria and the Baltic Sea) in the north. Poland is known as the land of lakes and rivers. There are many reasons for this reputation: first of all, because 90% of the country is made up of lakes and rivers. Also, due to the high altitude of the source waters of most rivers, they tend to flow faster towards the sea than in other countries with a similar climate. The end result is that many rivers do not flow all year round, but rather during certain periods when it is wet enough. Finally, many areas contain lots of small ponds used for catching fish or storing water for farming. Poland's geography is extremely diverse - from the mountainous terrain of the central region down to the fertile lowlands by the Baltic Sea. This is why there are such a variety of animals and plants living in the country. One of the factors that make the Polish landscape so special is its age. Most parts of Poland are between 5 and 1 million years old. This means that you can see the results of past ice ages, volcanic eruptions, and other natural events that have changed the face of the planet over time.