Belarus' Identity: A Complex Cultural History

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. The name Belarus is closely related to the term Belaya Rus', meaning White Rus'. Belarus has a rich history, having been controlled by different states at various times between the medieval period and the 20th century. The country gained independence in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Today, Belarus has a population of about 9.1 million people and is known for its diverse culture and natural beauty.

Belarus's name, which means ''White Ruthenia' or 'White Russia', has origins in the white clothing of the local Slavic population or the fact that it was not conquered by the Tatars

Belarus is a country in Eastern Europe. The name Belarus means White Russia or White Ruthenia. Belarus was previously known as Belorussia or Byelorussia. The name Belarus is closely related to the term Belaya Rus, which means White Rus. There are several theories about the origin of the name White Rus. One theory suggests that the name comes from the white clothing worn by the local Slavic population. Another theory suggests that the name refers to the old Rus' lands that were not conquered by the Tatars, including Polotsk, Vitebsk, and Mogilev.

The term Rus is often conflated with its Latin forms Russia and Ruthenia, which is why Belarus is often referred to as White Russia or White Ruthenia. The name first appeared in German and Latin medieval literature in the 14th century. During the Russian monarchy, the country was known as Belorussia or Byelorussia to underscore the extent of the Tsar's empire. The term Belorussia first rose during the days of the Russian Empire, and the Tsar was usually styled as "the Tsar of All the Russias", asserting that the territories and peoples were all Russian.

After the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, the term White Russia caused some confusion as it was also the name of the military force that opposed the Bolsheviks. During the Soviet era, the term Byelorussia was embraced as part of a national consciousness. In 1991, the country officially changed its name to Belarus, and the language was named Belarussian.

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe

The name Rus is often conflated with its Latin forms Russia and Ruthenia, hence Belarus is often referred to as White Russia or White Ruthenia. The name first appeared in German and Latin medieval literature in the 14th century. During the Russian monarchy headed by tsars, Belarus was known as Belorussia or Byelorussia, to underscore the extent of their empire. Russians occupied the country in 1919, after which it became known as the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR). The term Byelorussia was used officially until 1991, when the country gained independence and the term Belarus started to be used.

Belarus is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Minsk is the capital and largest city of Belarus and is administered separately as a city with special status. Belarus has a population of about 9.1 million and spans an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi). The country has a hemiboreal climate and is divided into six regions administratively.

Belarus is officially known as the Republic of Belarus

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. The name Belarus is closely related to the term Belaya Rus or White Rus. There are several theories about the origin of the name White Rus. One theory suggests that it comes from the white clothing worn by the local Slavic population. Another theory suggests that it refers to the part of old Ruthenian lands within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania that had been populated mostly by early-Christianized Slavs. A third theory posits that it refers to the old Rus' lands that were not conquered by the Tatars, namely Polotsk, Vitebsk, and Mogilev. A fourth theory suggests that the colour white was associated with the west, and Belarus was the western part of Rus' in the 9th to 13th centuries.

The name Rus is often conflated with its Latin forms Russia and Ruthenia, hence Belarus is often referred to as White Russia or White Ruthenia. The name first appeared in German and Latin medieval literature, with references to "Albae Russiae, Poloczk dicto" in the chronicles of Jan of Czarnków in 1381. The first known use of White Russia to refer specifically to Belarus was in the late 16th century by Englishman Sir Jerome Horsey, who was known for his close contacts with the Russian royal court.

During the days of the Russian monarchy headed by tsars, Belarus was known as Belorussia or Byelorussia to underscore the extent of their empire. Russians occupied the country in 1919, and it became known as the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR), a founding member of the USSR in 1922. On 25 August 1991, the country gained independence and officially changed its name to the Republic of Belarus.

Belarus is home to 9.1 million people

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe with a population of 9.1 million. The name Belarus means 'White Russians', derived from the term Belaya Rus', or 'White Rus'. The country's name evolved from 'Belarussians', one of the three groups Russians were classified into during the Mongol era, the other two being 'Little Russians' and 'Great Russians'.

The name Belarus is also closely related to Ruthenia, a Latin form of Russia. Belarus was, therefore, often referred to as 'White Russia' or 'White Ruthenia'. The name first appeared in German and Latin medieval literature in 1381, in the chronicles of Jan of Czarnków. However, the use of 'White Russia' to refer to Belarus specifically arose much later, in the late 16th century, by Englishman Sir Jerome Horsey, known for his close contacts with the Russian royal court.

Another theory suggests that Belarus was so-called because of the white clothing worn by the local Slavic population. A third theory suggests that Belarus was one of the old Rus' lands that were not conquered by the Tatars, namely Polotsk, Vitebsk, and Mogilev, and was thus referred to as 'White Rus'. A fourth theory suggests that the colour white was associated with the west, and Belarus was the western part of Rus' in the 9th to 13th centuries.

The term 'Belorussia' or 'Byelorussia' was used officially until 1991, when the country gained independence from the Soviet Union and was renamed the Republic of Belarus.

Belarus is a former Soviet republic

Belarus, formerly known as Byelorussia, is a former Soviet republic. From 1920 to 1922, it existed as an independent state, and from 1922 to 1991, it was one of the fifteen constituent republics of the USSR.

The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR) was ruled by the Communist Party of Byelorussia. It was one of the four founding members of the Soviet Union, along with the republics of Russia, Transcaucasia, and Ukraine.

During World War II, Byelorussia was one of several Soviet republics occupied by Nazi Germany. Towards the end of the Soviet Union's existence, the Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty in 1990. On 25 August 1991, the Byelorussian SSR declared independence and was renamed the Republic of Belarus on 19 September. The Soviet Union was formally dissolved on 26 December 1991.

The origin of the name Belarus is disputed. One theory suggests that it comes from the white clothing worn by the local Slavic population. Another theory suggests that the old Rus' lands that were not conquered by the Tatars (Polotsk, Vitebsk, and Mogilev) were referred to as "White Rus". The term "Rus" is generally considered to be derived from the Finnic word "Ruotsi", meaning Sweden.

In some languages, Belarus is still referred to as a variation of "White Russia", including in Dutch, Afrikaans, and German. However, there has been a gradual shift towards the name Belarus in some countries. The name "Byelorussia" was only used officially until 1991 when the Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR decreed that the new independent republic should be called the Republic of Belarus.

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