Belarus: Exploring Its Square Miles And Geography

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the north and east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus covers an area of 207,600 square kilometres (approximately 80,000 square miles) and has a population of around 9 million people. The country is predominantly flat, with an elevation ranging from 345 metres at its highest point, Dzyarzhynskaya Hara, to 90 metres above sea level at its lowest point on the Neman River. Belarus is known for its diverse geography, including lowlands, marshes, peat bogs, and over 10,000 small lakes.

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus spans an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi) with a population of 9.1 million. Minsk, the capital and largest city, is administered separately as a city with special status.

Belarus is a medium-sized European state. It is the 13th largest country among 44 continental European states and the 84th largest country in the world. It is bigger than Greece, Portugal, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. Belarus is nearly as big as Romania and the UK. The country stretches 560km from north to south and 650km from west to east.

Belarus is a compact country with a slightly longer horizontal axis. The country's terrain is predominantly flat, intersected by hills, flatlands, and lowlands with marshes and lakes. Lowlands with absolute heights of up to 200m account for about 70% of the country's territory, while hills account for about 30%. The lowest area is in the Neman River valley in Grodno Oblast (80-90m above sea level), and the highest point is Dzerzhinsky Hill in Dzerzhinsk District, Minsk Oblast (345m).

Belarus is located in the water basins of the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea. It has over 20,000 rivers with a total length of 90,600km. The biggest rivers are the Dnieper, the Western Dvina, and the Neman. The Dnieper is the country's longest river, stretching 689km through Belarusian territory. Belarus also has almost 11,000 lakes, with the biggest lakes located in the north, formed nearly 15,000-20,000 years ago when the Valdai glacier melted. The biggest lake in Belarus is Naroch, and the deepest lake is Dolgoye.

Belarus has a rich history and diverse geography, making it a wonderful place to explore. The country has a complex history and boasts rich architecture, making it an interesting place to visit any time of the year. Belarus's diverse geography and passion for natural history and wildlife also make it an outdoor enthusiast's dream.

Belarus is divided into six regions

The six regions are further subdivided into 118 raions, commonly translated as districts. The city of Minsk is split into nine districts and enjoys a status akin to the six regions.

Each region has its own legislative authority, or region council, elected by its residents, and a provincial executive authority called a region administration, whose chairman is appointed by the president.

• Brest Oblast: Known as the western gateway of Belarus, this region is home to landmarks such as the Brest Hero Fortress, the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, and the Kossovo Palace and Park Ensemble.
• Vitebsk Oblast: As the oldest city in Belarus, Vitebsk is considered the cradle of Belarusian statehood. Notable landmarks include the International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar and the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk.
• Gomel Oblast: This is the only region in Belarus where oil is produced. Notable landmarks include the Palace of the Rumyantsevs and Paskeviches, the Castle Hill in Turov, and the Neglubka weaving.
• Grodno Oblast: This region is home to the country's largest innovative project, the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant. Notable landmarks include the Mir Castle, the national landscape reserve Nalibokskaya, and the Struve Geodetic Arc.
• Minsk Oblast: As the largest region of Belarus, Minsk Oblast boasts a powerful industry. Notable landmarks include the BelAZ quarry equipment manufacturer, the Nesvizh Castle, and the Khatyn Memorial Complex.
• Mogilev Oblast: Located in eastern Belarus, Mogilev Oblast is home to the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy, the oldest agricultural university in the CIS and Europe. Notable landmarks include the Kupala Night Festival Alexandria Gathers Friends and the memorial Buinichi Field.

Minsk is the capital and largest city

Minsk is the economic capital of Belarus, contributing nearly 46% of the country's budget. It has developed industrial and services sectors, with major industries including machinery and equipment, food and beverages, electrical equipment, vehicles, construction materials, and pharmaceuticals. Minsk is home to well-known Belarusian brands such as Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ), and Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MZKT). The city has a population of about two million, making it the 11th most populous city in Europe.

Minsk has a rich history, having been part of various states and empires throughout the centuries. It became the seat of a principality in 1101 and later passed to Lithuania, Poland, and Russia. The city has endured frequent disasters, including fires, occupation, and almost total destruction during World War II. Despite these challenges, Minsk has risen from the ashes and played a crucial role in the country's independence and development.

Today, Minsk boasts a diverse range of cultural and architectural landmarks. The city centre features a unique 20th-century architectural ensemble, including the Victory Monument in Victory Square and the white Town Hall in Svobody Square. Minsk is also home to the National Library of Belarus, a visually striking diamond-shaped building. The Botanical Garden is one of the largest in Europe, with over 15,000 plant species.

Minsk is a major educational and cultural centre, with numerous institutions of higher education, theatres, museums, and libraries. It is also a sports hub, having hosted international events such as the European Games and the IIHF World Championship. The city has a metro system, the only one in Belarus, with three lines and over 20 stations.

Belarus is bordered by five countries

Latvia shares a border with Belarus to the north. The distance between Minsk, the capital of Belarus, and Riga, the capital of Latvia, is 470km. Latvia is one of the three Baltic states and is located in Northern Europe. The country has a population of 1.9 million people and a total area of 64,589km2. Latvia is a member of the European Union and NATO.

Lithuania borders Belarus to the northwest and its capital, Vilnius, is 215km from Minsk, making it the closest capital city of a neighbouring country to Minsk. Lithuania is another Baltic state and has a population of 2.8 million people. Vilnius is a popular tourist destination, known for its well-preserved Old Town.

Poland borders Belarus to the west and its capital, Warsaw, is 550km from Minsk. Poland is the fifth most populous country in Europe, with a population of 38 million people. Poland is also the ninth largest country in Europe by area, with a total area of 312,679km2.

Russia shares borders with Belarus to the north, northeast, and east. Moscow, the capital of Russia, is 700km from Minsk. Russia is the largest country in the world by area, spanning 17,098,242 km2 across two continents. Russia is also the most populous country in Europe, with a population of 144 million people.

Ukraine borders Belarus to the south and its capital, Kiev, is 580km from Minsk. Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe by area, with a total area of 603,500 km2. Ukraine has a population of 43 million people and is the seventh-most populous country in Europe.

Belarus is the 13th largest country in Europe

Belarus, officially known as the Republic of Belarus, is the 13th largest country in Europe. It is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, sharing its borders with Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus spans an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi) with a population of 9.1 million. Minsk, the capital and largest city of Belarus, is home to about one-fifth of the country's population.

Belarus has a diverse geography, with a predominantly flat terrain shaped by glacial movements and river erosion. The country is divided into six regions: Brest, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev, Minsk, and Vitebsk. The landscape features lowlands, marshes, peat bogs, and hills, with the highest point being Dzyarzhynskaya Hara at 345 meters and the lowest point on the Neman River at 90 meters above sea level.

The country has a rich natural environment, hosting a variety of rare plant and animal species, as well as several National Parks. The Belovezhskaya Pushcha, for example, is the largest ancient forest in Europe. Belarus also boasts over 10,000 lakes and numerous rivers, including the Dnieper, which is the most significant river flowing through the country.

In terms of economic development, Belarus has a growing IT business sector and an economy based on industry and agriculture. The country has close economic ties with Russia and is dependent on it for imports of raw materials and export markets. Belarus has a very high human development index and is known for having the lowest unemployment rate in Europe.

Belarus has a complex history, having been controlled by different states throughout the medieval period and the 20th century. It gained independence in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and has since maintained an authoritarian style of government, often criticised for its human rights violations and suppression of free speech. Despite this, Belarus is a wonderful place to explore, offering rich architecture and a passion for natural history and wildlife.

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