as a result of the migrations and the soviet unions radically altered borders under the rule of joseph stalin, the population of poland became one of the most ethnically homogeneous in the world. virtually all people in poland claim polish nationality, with polish as their native tongue. ukrainians resp. rusyns, the largest minority group, are scattered in various northern districts. lesser numbers of belarusians and lithuanians live in areas adjoining belarus and lithuania. the jewish community, almost entirely polonized, has been greatly reduced. in silesia a significant segment of the population, of mixed polish and german ancestry, tends to declare itself as polish or german according to political circumstances. minorities of germans remain in pomerania, silesia, east prussia, and lubus.