Exploring Eastern Europe: Where Is Belarus?

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 a medium-sized European state, spanning an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi) with a population of 9.1 million. The country has a hemiboreal climate and is divided into six regions. Minsk is the capital and largest city. Belarus is known for its authoritarian government, led by President Alexander Lukashenko since 1994.

Belarus is landlocked and located in Eastern Europe

Belarus is a landlocked country located in Eastern Europe. It is officially known as the Republic of Belarus. 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. The country is slightly longer from west to east than it is from north to south, stretching 560km from north to south and 650km from west to east. Belarus is the 13th largest country in Europe, covering an area of 207,600 square kilometres, or about 2% of the total area of Europe. It is home to a population of around 9.1 million people, the majority of whom reside in the country's capital, Minsk.

Belarus has a flat landscape characterised by hills, flatlands, and lowlands with marshes and lakes. The country is located in the water basins of the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea, and is crossed by several major rivers, including the Dnieper, the Neman, and the Western Dvina. Belarus also boasts almost 11,000 lakes, with the biggest being Naroch and the deepest being Dolgoye. The country has a hemiboreal climate, with mild to cold winters and cool, moist summers.

Throughout history, the territory of modern-day Belarus has been controlled by various states, including Kievan Rus', the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Russian Empire. Belarus declared its independence from the Soviet Union on 25 August 1991 and has since been led by the authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko. Belarus has continued several Soviet-era policies, such as state ownership of large sections of the economy, and remains heavily dependent on Russia for its energy supplies. The country has been criticised by rights groups for its suppression of free speech, control of the press, and denial of opposition access to state media.

It borders Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine and Poland

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine, and Poland. The country's present borders were established during World War II. Lithuania and Latvia border Belarus to the northwest, Russia to the north and east, Ukraine to the south, and Poland to the west. The total length of the state border is 3,617km. The shortest transport links connecting the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea also run through Belarus' territory.

Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, is the closest capital city of a neighbouring country to Minsk, at a distance of 215km. Latvia's capital, Riga, is 470km from Minsk, while Poland's capital, Warsaw, is 550km away. Ukraine's capital, Kiev, is 580km from Minsk, and Russia's capital, Moscow, is 700km away.

Belarus is a medium-sized European state, 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 located in the central region and is administered separately from the six oblasts (regions) that make up the country.

The country 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 Belarus' territory, while hills account for about 30%. The lowest area is in the Neman River valley in the Grodno Oblast (80-90m above sea level), and the highest point is Dzyarzhynskaya Hill in the Dzyarzhynsk District, Minsk Oblast (345m or 346m).

The northern part of Belarus 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 the East Belarusian plateau-like lowland. The southern part features morainic and aquaglacial plains of sub-Polesie and flat, often marshy lowlands of Polesie.

Minsk is the capital and largest city

Today, Minsk is a major industrial centre and contributes more than a quarter to the national GDP. It is home to well-known Belarusian brands such as Minsk Tractor Works, Minsk Automobile Plant, and Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, among others. The city has a diverse industrial sector, producing machinery, food and beverages, electrical equipment, vehicles, construction materials, and pharmaceuticals.

Minsk is also an important administrative centre, housing key institutions such as the Palace of Independence, the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and the National Bank of Belarus. It is the only city in Belarus with a metro service, which was launched in 1984.

The city is located on the southeastern slope of the Minsk Hills and has a diverse relief, with hilly terrain, flatlands, and lowlands featuring marshes and lakes. Minsk is known for its abundant parks, wide boulevards, and blocks of multi-story apartment buildings.

As the cultural hub of Belarus, Minsk boasts several theatres, museums, and libraries, including the National Library of Belarus, which moved to a visually striking diamond-shaped building in 2006. The city also has a rich sporting history and has hosted several international sporting events, including the European Games in 2019.

Minsk is divided into nine administrative districts and is home to a diverse range of ethnic and religious groups, reflecting its historical role as a centre of trade and migration.

Belarus is a former Soviet republic

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a former Soviet republic. It was known as the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR) and was one of the fifteen constituent republics of the USSR from 1922 to 1991.

The BSSR was ruled by the Communist Party of Byelorussia and was also known as the White Russian Soviet Socialist Republic. It was one of four founding members of the Soviet Union in December 1922, along with the republics of Russia, Transcaucasia, and Ukraine.

During the Soviet era, the BSSR was largely rural, with only 14.5% of its population living in urban areas in 1925. It had a diverse linguistic landscape, with Belarusian, Russian, Yiddish, and Polish as its official languages. The BSSR also had a significant Jewish population, which made up almost 44% of the urban population in 1925.

The BSSR played a crucial role in World War II, with a widespread and diverse anti-Nazi insurgent movement. However, it was the hardest-hit Soviet republic during the war, losing about a quarter of its population and half of its economic resources.

After the war, the Byelorussian SSR became a founding member of the United Nations and continued to be a part of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991. During this period, it maintained close ties with Russia, signing a treaty in 1999 to create a politically integrated confederation.

On July 27, 1990, the parliament of the Byelorussian SSR proclaimed the sovereignty of Belarus. The country gained independence on August 25, 1991, and adopted a new constitution in 1994. Alexander Lukashenko was elected as the first president of independent Belarus in the country's first and only free election.

Today, Belarus is a unitary presidential republic with a highly centralized and authoritarian government. It has retained certain Soviet-era policies, such as state ownership of large sections of the economy, and is the only European country that continues to use capital punishment.

The country has a population of around 9 million

Belarus has a population of around 9 million people, with an estimated 9,056,696 people at mid-year 2024. This makes Belarus the 100th most populous country in the world,section-break-->

Belarus is a relatively small country, covering an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 square miles). Its population density is around 45 people per square kilometre (116 people per square mile). Belarus's population is equivalent to 0.11% of the total world population.

The median age in Belarus is 40.9 years, and the country has a negative population growth rate. In 2007, Belarus's population declined by 0.41%, and its fertility rate was 1.22, well below the replacement rate. Belarus has a high level of urbanisation, with 83.6% of its population living in urban areas.

The capital and largest city of Belarus is Minsk, with a population of around 2 million people. Minsk is administered separately from the rest of the country and has a special status. Around one-fifth of Belarus's population resides in Minsk, which is known for its sprawling modern architecture and was almost entirely rebuilt after its near destruction in World War II.

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