Belarus: Europe's Space Exploration Gateway

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. The country has a population of 9.1 million and is led by an authoritarian government, with President Alexander Lukashenko serving since 1994. Belarus has close ties with Russia, and the two nations signed the Union State Foundation Treaty in 1999, aiming for a politically integrated confederation. Belarus has been criticised by the international community for its human rights violations and persecution of opposition figures, with the EU, US, and other countries imposing sanctions. Belarus is not a member of the ESA, the European Space Agency, but it does have a bilateral relationship with the EU bloc.

Belarus is not a member of the ESA, but it is a member of the EU's Eastern Partnership

Belarus is not a member of the European Space Agency (ESA). However, it is a member of the EU's Eastern Partnership, which was established in 2009 as a joint initiative between the EU, its member states, and six Eastern European countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is a specific Eastern dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy, combining bilateral and multilateral tracks. It aims to strengthen and deepen political and economic relations between the EU and its Eastern European neighbours, while also building a common area of shared values, including democracy, prosperity, stability, and increased cooperation.

Despite Belarus's suspension of its participation in the Eastern Partnership in June 2021, Belarusian citizens continue to benefit from and have access to some of the EU's regional programmes. These programmes foster cooperation between individuals and entities from all six Eastern Partnership countries, including initiatives such as EU4Culture, EU4 Independent Media, EU4 Gender Equality, and Partnership for Good Governance.

The EU has committed to providing immediate and long-term support to help stabilise Belarus's economy, reform its institutions, and deliver benefits for citizens and society as a whole once the country embarks on a democratic transition. This includes a substantial investment package of up to €3 billion and a plan for economic support through political and financial instruments.

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 has a population of 9.1 million people and spans an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi). Minsk, the capital and largest city, is administered separately as a city with special status.

The earliest historical references to Minsk date back to the 11th century (1067), when it was noted as a provincial city within the principality of Polotsk. Minsk became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1242 and received town privileges in 1499. From 1569, it served as the capital of the Minsk Voivodship in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1793, the region was annexed by the Russian Empire as a consequence of the Second Partition of Poland. After the Russian Revolution, Minsk became the capital of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union from 1919 to 1991. Belarus gained independence on August 25, 1991, during the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Belarus has a cool continental climate influenced by maritime conditions from the Atlantic Ocean. The country experiences mild to cold winters, with January minimum temperatures ranging from −4 °C to −8 °C, and cool, moist summers, with an average temperature of 18 °C. Belarus has an average annual rainfall of 550 to 700 mm, and its physical geography is characterised by rolling hills, lowlands, and river valleys.

Belarus has a distinct ethnic identity and language, but its history is closely intertwined with its neighbouring countries due to repeated partitions and changes in rule. Since gaining independence, Belarus has maintained close ties with Russia, its most dominant neighbour. In 1999, the two countries signed the Union State Foundation Treaty, aiming for political integration and a common currency. Belarus's Soviet past is still evident in the prominence of communist political parties and its authoritarian style of government.

The country's economy is largely dependent on Russia, with Russia accounting for about 45% of Belarusian exports and 55% of imports. Belarus's main exports include heavy machinery, agricultural products, and energy, while it imports raw materials and petroleum from Russia.

Minsk, Belarus's capital and largest city, is situated on the Svislach and Nyamiha rivers

The earliest historical references to Minsk date back to the 11th century (1067), when it was a provincial city within the Principality of Polotsk. The settlement was built on the rivers and, in 1242, it became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Minsk received town privileges in 1499 and, from 1569, it was the capital of the Minsk Voivodship in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

In 1793, Minsk was annexed by the Russian Empire as part of the Second Partition of Poland. After the Russian Revolution, from 1919 to 1991, Minsk was the capital of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Minsk became the capital of the newly independent Republic of Belarus.

The city is located on the southeastern slope of the Minsk Hills, a region of rolling hills that runs from the southwest to Lukomskaye Lake in northwestern Belarus. The average altitude is 220 metres above sea level, and the physical geography of the area was shaped by the two most recent ice ages. The Svislach River, which flows across the city from the northwest to the southeast, is an ancient river valley formed by melting ice sheets. There are six smaller rivers within the city limits, all part of the Black Sea basin.

Minsk is situated in the area of mixed forests that characterise most of Belarus. Pinewood and mixed forests border the city, particularly in the north and east, and some of these forests have been preserved as parks as the city expanded, such as Chelyuskinites Park. The city was initially built on the hills, which allowed for defensive fortifications, and the western parts of the city remain the most hilly.

Belarus is bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and, to the northwest, by the Baltic Sea

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 covers an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi) and has a population of 9.1 million. Minsk, the capital and largest city of Belarus, is situated on the Svislach and Nyamiha rivers and has a population of 2,002,600.

The earliest historical references to Minsk date back to the 11th century (1067), when it was noted as a provincial city within the principality of Polotsk. Minsk became a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1242 and received town privileges in 1499. From 1569, it served as the capital of the Minsk Voivodship in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1793, the region was annexed by the Russian Empire as a consequence of the Second Partition of Poland. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, Minsk became the capital of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union.

Belarus is divided into six regions: Brest, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev, Minsk, and Vitebsk. Each region has its own legislative and executive authorities, with the legislative authority being elected by the residents. The country is home to various ethnic groups, with ethnic Belarusians constituting 84.9% of the population. Russian, Polish, and Ukrainian minorities are also present in Belarus.

The country's landscape is predominantly flat, featuring glacial movements and river erosion. The highest point is Dzyarzhynskaya Hara (Dzyarzhynsk Hill) at 345 metres, while the lowest point is on the Neman River at 90 metres. Belarus has a hemiboreal climate and is home to numerous rivers, lakes, and marshes.

Belarus has a population of around 9 million people

The population of Belarus has a distinct ethnic identity and language, but they have historically lacked political sovereignty and unity. The territory has been partitioned and changed hands multiple times, resulting in a complex and intertwined history with its neighbouring countries. Despite gaining independence in 1991, Belarus has maintained close ties with Russia, its most dominant neighbour.

The population of Belarus is unevenly distributed, with about 70% living in urban areas. Minsk, the capital, is the most populous city, with 1,937,900 residents as of 2015. Other major cities include Gomel, Mogilev, Vitebsk, Grodno, and Brest, each with populations ranging from 298,300 to 481,000.

Belarus has a negative population growth rate and a negative natural growth rate. The fertility rate is low, and the median age is expected to increase significantly by 2050. However, the country has a high literacy rate, with over 99% of Belarusians aged 15 and older considered literate.

The two official languages of Belarus are Russian and Belarusian. According to a 2009 census, 53% of the population described Belarusian as their "mother tongue," while 70% reported speaking Russian in their daily lives.

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