Belarus' Geographical Location: A Continental Conundrum

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 latitude of 53.7098° N and a longitude of 27.9534° E, and is the 84th largest country in the world in terms of total area.

Belarus is in Eastern Europe

Belarus is a country in Eastern Europe. It is landlocked and 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 latitude of 53.7098° N and a longitude of 27.9534° E, and is situated above the equatorial plane.

The northernmost point of Belarus is in the town of Proshki, which is considered part of the Verkhnyadzvinsk District. The point is just north of Osveya Lake and is part of the Vitebsk Region of Belarus, with a latitudinal coordinate of 56°08' N. To the south, Belarus extends as far as a latitude of 51°15' N in the Brahin District of the Gomel Region.

As the 117th most extreme point in the west, the westernmost point of Belarus is located in the city of Brest, known as an oblast by native Europeans. The easternmost point of Belarus is situated at a longitude of 32°46' E in Mogilev, an oblast very close to the border Belarus shares with Russia.

Belarus has a total area of 80,154 square miles, with a population of about 9,443,371 people as of a 2018 census. The country is comprised of 2.3% water and 97.7% land, making it the 84th largest country in terms of total area. The population density of Belarus is 118 people per square mile, making it the 155th most densely populated country in the world.

The official languages of Belarus are Belarusian and Russian, and the currency is the Belarusian ruble. The country gained independence from the Soviet Union on 25 August 1991 and has been ruled by Alexander Lukashenko since 1994.

It is landlocked

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 relatively flat and contains large tracts of marshy land. It has a hemiboreal climate and is divided administratively into six regions. Minsk is the capital and largest city.

Being landlocked means that Belarus has no direct access to the sea or ocean. This can have significant implications for the country's economy, trade, and transportation. Landlocked countries often face challenges in terms of developing international trade and accessing global markets. They may have to rely on their neighbouring countries for access to ports and maritime resources, which can impact their negotiating power and economic growth.

The landlocked status of Belarus influences its economic activities and trade patterns. The country's economy relies heavily on agriculture and manufacturing. It exports machinery, equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, and textiles. However, being landlocked can make it more challenging and costly to transport goods to international markets. Belarus also imports various products, including mineral resources, machinery, equipment, chemicals, and foodstuffs.

In terms of transportation and connectivity, Belarus's landlocked status means that it has developed a network of roads, railways, and inland waterways for trade and transportation within the country and to neighbouring nations. The country serves as an important trade and transport route between Europe and the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). Its central location in Europe makes it a strategic hub for trade and transit.

The landlocked nature of Belarus also has implications for its geopolitical relationships and foreign policy. The country maintains close ties with Russia, with which it formed the Union State, a supranational confederation, in the 1990s. This union includes agreements on monetary union, equal rights, single citizenship, and a common foreign and defence policy. However, there have been delays and disputes in fully implementing some aspects of the union, such as monetary union and a common petroleum trade policy.

In summary, Belarus's landlocked status shapes various aspects of the country, from its economy and trade to transportation and foreign policy. While it faces the challenges common to landlocked nations, its central location in Europe also provides opportunities for trade and transit connectivity. Belarus's landlocked nature continues to influence its relationships with neighbouring countries and its position in the broader geopolitical landscape.

It borders Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia

Belarus is a country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, Lithuania to the north, and Latvia to the north.

The border between Belarus and Russia is 1,239km (770mi) long. Prior to 1991, it was the border between the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. The border was formally formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but there is still virtually no border control when travelling between the two countries.

The Belarus-Ukraine border is about 1,084km (674mi) long. It starts at the triple junction with Poland in the west and stretches to the triple junction with Russia in the east. The border is situated in the Polesian Lowland, which stretches from the Western Bug to the Dnieper along the Pripyat River.

The Belarusian-Polish border is the state border between the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Belarus. It has a total length of between 398.6km (247.7mi) and 421.8km (260mi) (sources vary). It starts at the triple junction of the borders with Lithuania in the north and stretches to the triple junction with Ukraine in the south. The border runs along the administrative borders of two voivodships in Poland and two voblasts in Belarus.

The Belarus–Lithuania border is an international border almost 678.8km (421.8mi) in length. It is an external border of the European Union and the western border of the Commonwealth of Independent States. 379.9km (236.1mi) of the border is on land, while 298.9km (185.7mi) are on water, crossing lakes and following rivers such as the Dysna and Neman.

The Belarus–Latvia border is 172.912km (107.443mi) long. It spans from the tripoint with Lithuania to the tripoint with Russia and is an external border of the European Union. For about 16.6km (10.3mi), the border runs along the Daugava River. It also crosses Lake Rychy and an island in the lake.

The capital is Minsk

Minsk is the capital of Belarus, a country in the eastern region of Europe. Belarus is landlocked, with Latvia to the north, Ukraine to the south, Russia to the east, Lithuania to the northwest, and Poland to the southwest.

Minsk is the largest city in Belarus, with a population of about two million as of 2024. It is located on the southeastern slope of the Minsk Hills, a region of rolling hills. The city lies along the Svislach River and the now subterranean Niamiha River. Minsk was first mentioned in 1067 and became the seat of a principality in 1101. It has special administrative status in Belarus and is the administrative centre of the Minsk Region and Minsk District.

Minsk is the major industrial centre of Belarus, with a diverse range of companies and enterprises producing machinery and equipment, food and beverages, electrical equipment, vehicles, construction materials, and pharmaceuticals. Minsk is home to well-known Belarusian brands, including Minsk Tractor Works, Minsk Automobile Plant, and Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant. The city contributes more than a quarter of the national GDP and accounts for about 35% of Belarus's foreign trade.

Minsk is a major cultural hub, with 11 theatres, 16 museums, 20 cinemas, 139 libraries, and numerous other institutions of higher education. The city has its own charter, coat of arms, and anthem, and celebrates its City Day every year on the second Saturday of September.

Minsk has a diverse range of architectural styles, with buildings from the early Soviet period, such as the Mariinsky Cathedral and the church of the Bernadine monastery. The city also boasts beautiful parks, wide boulevards, and multistorey apartment buildings. Minsk is known for its sports traditions and Olympic achievements, with numerous sports facilities, including stadiums, sports grounds, swimming pools, tennis courts, and a roller-ski track.

Minsk has a warm summer humid continental climate, with an average January temperature of −4.2 °C and an average July temperature of 19.1 °C. The city experiences unpredictable weather due to its location between the moist air of the Atlantic Ocean and the dry air of the Eurasian landmass.

Belarus has a population of around 9 million

Belarus is a country in Eastern Europe with a population of around 9 million people. It is landlocked and 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 latitude of 53.7098° N and a longitude of 27.9534° E, placing it above the equatorial plane in both the northern and eastern hemispheres.

The population of Belarus is approximately 9.1 million according to one source, while other sources cite figures of 9.4 million and 9.5 million from censuses conducted in 2018 and 2012, respectively. As the 93rd most populated country globally, Belarus has a population density of 118 people per square mile, making it the 155th most densely populated country.

The capital of Belarus is Minsk, which is also the largest city in the country, with a population of 1.837 million in 2009. Other major cities include Gomel, Mogilev, Vitebsk, Grodno, and Brest. The official languages of Belarus are Belarusian and Russian, with Russian being the main language of communication for over 75% of the population in cities.

Belarus has a negative population growth rate and a negative natural growth rate. In 2007, the population declined by 0.41%, and the fertility rate was 1.22, well below the replacement rate. However, Belarus has a positive net migration rate of 0.38 per 1,000, indicating slightly more immigration than emigration. As of 2015, 69.9% of Belarus's population was aged 14 to 64, with 15.5% under 14 and 14.6% aged 65 or older. The median age is estimated to rise to between 60 and 64 by 2050.

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