Final answer:
Catherine the Great was born in Stettin, Pomerania, in the Kingdom of Prussia, which is today part of Poland. She was a German princess who became Empress of Russia and was known for modernizing Russia and expanding its territory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Catherine the Great was born in Stettin, Pomerania, which at the time of her birth was part of the Kingdom of Prussia. It's understandable why there could be some confusion, as Pomerania is in the area that today is part of Poland. Although she was born as a German princess named Sophia of Anhalt-Zerbst, she later moved to Russia and adopted the name Catherine upon her conversion to the Russian Orthodox faith.
She then ascended to the Russian throne as Empress after the coup that overthrew her husband, Peter III. Catherine the Great's reign was notable for her efforts to modernize Russia and extend its borders. Despite her German origins, she became one of Russia's most renowned and longest-ruling monarchs.