Belarus: A Landlocked Country In 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 is the largest landlocked country in Europe, with an area of 208,000 square kilometres. Minsk, the capital and largest city, is home to about one-fifth of the country's population. Belarusians share a distinct ethnic identity and language, but they have rarely enjoyed political sovereignty throughout their history. The country has retained close ties with Russia since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Belarus is bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It shares its borders with Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus has a population of 9.1 million people and spans an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi). Minsk, the country's capital and largest city, is home to about one-fifth of the population and is administered separately as a city with special status.

Belarus has a rich history that dates back to the medieval period. Over the centuries, the lands of modern-day Belarus were controlled by various states, including Kievan Rus', the Principality of Polotsk, and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The country gained independence in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, of which it was a part of as the Byelorussian SSR.

Russia is the eastern neighbour of Belarus and shares its longest border. Russia has historically had a significant influence on Belarus, and the two countries have close diplomatic and economic ties. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, Belarus and Russia signed a treaty in 1996 to form a supranational confederation called the Union State, aiming for greater political and economic integration. However, the future of this union remains uncertain due to delays in implementation.

Ukraine borders Belarus to the south and has a significant impact on the country's topography. The southern region of Belarus includes the Pinsk Marshes, a vast natural wetland area along the basin of the Pripyat River and its tributaries. This area is part of a structural trough filled with outwash sands and gravels deposited during the last Pleistocene glaciation.

To the west of Belarus lies Poland, which has historically had a presence in the region. After the Polish-Soviet War (1918-1921), Belarus lost almost half of its territory to Poland. Following World War II, the borders between the two countries were redrawn, and some lands were reintegrated into Belarus.

Lithuania borders Belarus to the northwest and has a shared cultural heritage with the country. The Belarusian Ridge, a significant topographic feature, extends from the Polish border towards the northwest, where it includes the Neman (Nyoman) Lowland near the city of Hrodna.

Latvia is another northwestern neighbour of Belarus. Treaties signed in 1995 and 1996 demarcated the borders between the two countries. Latvia is part of the Baltic region, and its proximity to Belarus has influenced the country's climate and environmental characteristics.

The country has no access to the open sea

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe with no access to the open sea. 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 is the largest landlocked country in Europe, spanning 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 home to more than one-fifth of the country's population.

The country's topography was largely shaped by glaciation during the Pleistocene Epoch, resulting in flat lowlands, low-level hills, and uplands. Belarus has more than 20,000 streams and over 10,000 lakes. The Dnieper, the Neman, and the Pripyat are the three major rivers flowing through the country.

The country's economy is heavily dependent on state-controlled companies, with about 50% of Belarusians employed in this sector. Belarus defines its economic system as market socialism, but it more closely resembles a planned economy, with the central government directing the production and distribution of goods.

Belarus is the largest landlocked country in Europe

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is the largest landlocked country in Europe with an area of 207,600 to 208,000 square kilometres. Belarus gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has since retained close political and economic ties with Russia.

The country 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 has a population of 9.1 to 9.4 million people, with over 20,000 streams and more than 10,000 lakes. Minsk, the nation's capital and largest city, is home to about one-fifth of the population.

Belarus has a cool continental climate with moderately warm summers and cold winters. The country is relatively flat, with an average elevation of 160 metres above sea level. Its highest point, Dzyarzhynskaya Hara, reaches 345 or 346 metres. Belarus's landscape consists of flat lowlands, low-levelled hills, uplands, and marshlands. Forests cover about 40 to 43% of the country, with the Białowieża Forest being one of the largest remaining parts of the primeval forest that once stretched across Europe.

The economy of Belarus is based on industry and agriculture, with state-controlled companies employing about 50% of the workforce. Belarus defines its economic system as market socialism, but it more closely resembles a planned economy directed by the central government.

The country's climate is moderate, with average daytime temperatures ranging from -2°C to 25°C

Belarus has a moderate climate, with average daytime temperatures ranging from −2°C to 25°C. The country experiences a yearly transition from a continental to a maritime climate, with cool, humid winters and warm summers.

The average minimum temperature in Minsk in January is −6.5°C, with a daytime average of around −2°C. In July, the average maximum daytime temperature is around 24.4°C. Belarus rarely experiences extreme temperatures, though some parts of the country have sub-zero weather for over a third of the year. The summer months are the wettest, with Belarus receiving between 550mm and 700mm of precipitation annually.

The country's position in Eastern Europe means it is bordered by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus is landlocked and largely flat, with thick forests, marshland, and fields. It is the largest landlocked country in Europe, covering 208,000 square kilometres.

The cool, humid winters in Belarus have average temperatures ranging from −4.5°C to −8°C in January. The country also experiences 75 to 125 days of snow each year, with falls of 15 to 30cm. However, the climate is moderate enough that travel is rarely impacted by extreme weather.

The warm summers in Belarus have average daily temperatures from 20°C to 25°C. The nights are cooler, with average minimums of 10°C to 15°C. The summer months of June and July are the sunniest, but travellers seeking drier weather may prefer to visit in May or September.

The transitional climate of Belarus, influenced by maritime conditions, results in moderate temperatures throughout the year. This moderate climate, combined with the country's diverse landscape of forests, marshes, and fields, contributes to its unique character and attractions.

Belarus is a presidential republic, but in practice, a dictatorship

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe with a population of around 9 million. It is officially a presidential republic, but in practice, it is a dictatorship.

The country's first and only free election after independence was held in 1994, and since then, it has been led by Alexander Lukashenko, who has been referred to as "Europe's last dictator". Lukashenko heads a highly centralized and authoritarian government, and elections under his rule are not considered free and fair by international monitors.

The constitution of Belarus, adopted in 1994 and amended in 1996 and 2004, provides for a democratic welfare state with separation of powers into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. However, in practice, the president holds most of the power, and the legislature is dominated by supporters of the president. The president has the right to initiate legislation, sign or reject laws, and adopt decrees that have the force of law. The president also has significant influence over the formation and functioning of the executive branch, including the appointment of the prime minister and other government members.

Under Lukashenko, Belarus has retained close political and economic ties with Russia, its most dominant neighbour. The country has continued several Soviet-era policies, such as state ownership of key industries and large sections of the economy. It is the only European country that continues to use capital punishment, and it ranks low in international measurements of freedom of the press, civil liberties, and human rights.

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