Southern Neighbors: Belarus And Its Southern Bordering Country

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, 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. Minsk is the capital and largest city of Belarus and is administered separately as a city with special status.

Ukraine borders Belarus to the south

Ukraine is one of Belarus's five neighbouring countries. Belarus is a medium-sized European state, covering an area of 207,600km2, or about 2% of the total area of Europe. It is the 13th largest country among 44 continental European states and the 84th largest country in the world. Belarus is bigger than Greece, Portugal, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. Belarus is nearly as big as Romania and the UK.

Belarus has a predominantly flat terrain 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).

The northern part of Belarus is called the Belarusian Lake District and features glacial relief, hills, and ridges. The middle part of the country is located in the glaciolacustrine zone of the Belarusian Ridge and in the East Belarusian plateau-like lowland. The southern part features morainic and aquaglacial plains of sub-Polesie and flat, often marshy lowlands of Polesie.

Belarus is located in the water basins of the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea. There are over 20,000 rivers in the country, with a total length of about 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.

There are almost 11,000 lakes in Belarus. The biggest lakes are located in the north (the Braslav Lake District, also known as "the blue necklace"), formed nearly 15,000-20,000 years ago when the Valdai glacier melted. The biggest lake in Belarus is Naroch (79.6m2), and the deepest lake is Dolgoye (53.6m deep).

Ukraine, which borders Belarus to the south, is one of the countries that share a border with Belarus. Belarus is a landlocked country with a complex history and rich architecture, making it a wonderful place to explore. The country has a diverse geography and a passion for natural history and wildlife, making it an outdoor enthusiast's dream.

Belarus 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 has a hemiboreal climate and is divided administratively into six regions. Minsk, the capital and largest city, is administered separately as a city with special status.

The country has a flat terrain intersected by hills, flatlands, and lowlands with marshes and lakes. Belarus is home to many streams and lakes, with the three major rivers being the Neman, the Pripyat, and the Dnieper. The Neman flows westward towards the Baltic Sea, the Pripyat flows eastward to the Dnieper, and the Dnieper flows southward towards the Black Sea.

The country's landscape is characterised by glacial debris, with northern Belarus featuring a hilly landscape with many lakes and gently sloping ridges. The south of the country, around the Pripiac River, is made up of the low-lying swampy plain of Palyessye, shared with Ukraine, Poland, and Russia.

The country's landlocked status has had implications for its history, economy, and environment. Belarus's landlocked position has resulted in the development of its transport infrastructure, with the country crossed by major transit routes and home to one of Eurasia's main transport corridors from southwest to northeast. However, its lack of coastal access has also impacted its economy, with Belarus relying on neighbouring countries for trade and import/export.

Additionally, the landlocked nature of Belarus has contributed to environmental concerns, particularly in the aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in neighbouring Ukraine. Belarus received about 70% of the radiation, resulting in long-term consequences for the environment, including radioactive contamination of land and increased cancer rates among the population.

Minsk is the capital of Belarus

Minsk, the capital of Belarus, is one of the oldest cities in Europe, first mentioned in a historical chronicle in 1067. It is the administrative centre of the Minsk Region and Minsk District and has a special administrative status in Belarus. Minsk is the largest city in Belarus, with a population of about two million, and is located on the southeastern slope of the Minsk Hills. The city is built on the banks of the Svislach River and now-subterranean Niamiha River.

Minsk is the economic capital of Belarus, contributing nearly 46% of the country's budget. It is a major industrial centre, with its companies contributing more than a quarter of the national GDP. Minsk's industrial sector includes machinery and equipment, food and beverages, electrical equipment, vehicles, construction materials, and pharmaceuticals. The city is also a major educational and cultural hub, housing the country's largest educational institutions, such as the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, and numerous theatres, museums, and libraries.

Minsk has a unique architectural heritage, with a mix of classical art and Soviet-era buildings. The city boasts wide boulevards, abundant parks, and blocks of multistorey apartment buildings. Notable landmarks include the Victory Monument in Victory Square, the Town Hall in Svobody Square, the National Library of Belarus, the Holy Spirit Cathedral, the Catholic Cathedral of Saint Virgin Mary, and the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Minsk has a diverse relief, with hilly terrain and a difference in elevation of about 100 metres within the city limits. The city is located in the water basins of the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea and has several main watercourses, including the Svisloch River and Tsna River. Minsk is known for its sports traditions and achievements, with numerous sports facilities and a proud history of Olympic champions.

Minsk is the only city in Belarus with an underground metro system, which opened in 1984. The city is divided into nine administrative districts and is home to a diverse range of religious denominations, with Christianity being the most widely practised religion.

Belarus is part of 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 is located in the centre of Europe and is crossed by major transit routes, including one of Eurasia's main transport corridors from southwest to northeast. The shortest transport links connecting the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea also run through Belarus.

Belarus is a medium-sized European state, covering an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi) and a population of 9.1 million. The country has a hemiboreal climate and is divided administratively into six regions. Minsk, the largest city in the country, is the capital and enjoys special status as a city with a separate governing body.

The topography of Belarus was largely shaped by glaciation during the Pleistocene Epoch. The country consists of flat lowlands, hills, flatlands, and uplands, with the highest point being Dzyarzhynskaya Hill at 345 metres (1,132 ft) above sea level. Belarus has a cool continental climate moderated by maritime influences from the Atlantic Ocean.

The Belovezhskaya Forest, on the border with Poland, is one of the largest surviving areas of primeval mixed forest in Europe. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992 and is home to the European bison, elk, deer, and boars.

Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Belarus has retained close ties with Russia. In 1999, the two countries signed the Union State Foundation Treaty, aiming to create a politically integrated confederation. Belarus has a presidential republic structure with a socially oriented economy. The official languages are Belarusian and Russian.

The country has a flat landscape

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

Ukraine's northern part is called the Belarusian Lake District and features glacial relief, hills, and ridges. The middle part is located in the glaciolacustrine zone of the Belarusian Ridge and in the East Belarusian plateau-like lowland. The southern part features morainic and aquaglacial plains of sub-Polesie and flat, often marshy lowlands of Polesie.

Ukraine is located in the water basins of the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea and has over 20,000 streams with a total length of about 56,300 miles, and almost 11,000 lakes. The biggest rivers are the Dnieper, the Western Dvina, and the Neman. The Dnieper is Ukraine's longest river, stretching 689km through the country.

The country's landscape consists mostly of fertile steppes and plateaus, crossed by several rivers, including the Dnieper, that flow into the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov. Ukraine also has a number of highland regions, such as the Volyn-Podillia Upland in the west and the Near-Dnipro Upland on the right bank of the Dnieper river.

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