Everything you need to know about Belarus: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more

Belarus: The White Russia

The early inhabitants of Belarus were Slavic tribes who were then taken over by Mongols and simultaneously it came under the rule of Lithuanian Dukes. After due time, it merged with the Soviet Union Republic and in the year 1991 it became independent of Soviet rule as it got disintegrated following a war with the Nazis. Until then the Belarussians were subjected to the tyrannical rule of their President Alexander Lukashenko.

Belarus fast-Facts:

National Name: Republic of Belarus

• Capital: Minsk
• Total area : 207,595 sq km (80,153 sq miles)
• Population: 9.7 million (UN, 2007)

• Currency : Belarussian rouble
• Languages: Russian, Belarussian (both official)
• Ethnicity/ Races: Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish 3.9%, Ukrainian 2.4%, other 1.1% (1999 census)
• Religion: Christianity
• GDP (Per Capita): $10,600 (2007 est.)
• Life Expectancy: 63 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN)
• Literacy Rate: 99.6% (1999 census)

Geography, Climate and Economy of Belarus:

elarus Terrain is relatively marshy and usually flat and one third of the country's area remains less populated owing to the inhospitable forest tracts. Besides this there are a number of rugged mountain ranges that provide elevated levels and highlands in some parts. The lowest point of Belarus is situated at a depth of 90m in Nyoman River and the highest point is at a height of 346m at Dzyarzhynskaya Hara. The Climate of this country is usually temperate and humid. There are a number of rivers in Belarus, which merge at Baltic and Black sea. This decreases the temperature thereby in summers and Belarus remains moderately cool and moist. The winters may be extremely cold as in the month of January the temperature level falls to ?6 degree Celsius. However, in general the climate ranges from continental to maritime.

Belarussian Economy is not very prosperous as it heavily depends on Russia for its major exports of electricity and oil. Moreover, the government has restrictive Economic policies that have hindered foreign investments. The natural resource of Belarus includes timber, limestone, sand, clay and meager quantities of oil and Natural gas.

elarus has a number of cultural influences such as Russian, Polish and the Byzantine Christian. The Russian cultural influence in particular is depicted through their literature, artworks, cuisine, music and dress. Some of the eminent Belarussian's include Jakub Kolas, Natalla Arseneva and Symeon of Polatsk. The music tradition includes Christian hymns and sermons dating back to 12 th century. Also Modern folk music is very famous among the locals.

A typical Belarus cuisine mainly consists of meat along with potatoes. Moreover, the natives prefer to eat salted pork and beef and they have a particular affinity for salads. The traditional dish of Belarus is called Pyachysta, which is another meat product. Some of the local Belarussian dishes also have Lithuanian influences and Polish too. Zacirka, is one of the most popular dish which is made of flour.

Tourist Attractions in Belarus:

The capital city of Belarus is Minsk, which comprises the archetypal historic sites and some very majestically built medieval palaces upholding a unique history. Besides this there are a number of National museums and gardens along with exotic wildlife, which attracts a number of tourists. Hrodna is yet another unique city situated on the banks of Neman River and also lies in close proximity to Poland and Lithuania.

Some other Places to Visit in Belarus are :