Belarus: Exploring Its Geographical Location And Surroundings

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 covers 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 landlocked

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the north and east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus is the largest landlocked country situated entirely in Europe, 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 centrally and is administered separately as a city with special status.

Belarus's terrain is predominantly flat and shaped by glacial movements and river erosion. The country's highest point, Dzyarzhynskaya Hara (Dzyarzhynsk Hill), reaches 345 metres (1,132 ft) above sea level, while its lowest point is the Neman River at 90 metres (295 ft). Belarus features large tracts of marshy land and is home to many streams and over 10,000 lakes. The Dnieper, flowing south towards the Black Sea, is the most significant river in the country.

Belarus's landlocked position has influenced its history and development. The territory underwent partition and changed hands repeatedly, resulting in a complex history closely intertwined with its neighbours. Belarus's landlocked status also contributes to its diverse geography, including flat lowlands, low hills, uplands, and marshlands. The country's natural resources include timber, arable land, and limited deposits of oil, natural gas, and minerals.

The landlocked nature of Belarus has had strategic implications for the country. During World War II, Belarus was severely affected by military operations due to its central location among warring powers. Additionally, the landlocked position of Belarus made it an essential transit route for trade and communication historically, particularly along the Pripyat River in the southern region of the country.

Overall, Belarus's landlocked status in Eastern Europe has shaped its geography, history, and strategic role in the region.

It is bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by five countries: Russia to the north and east; Ukraine to the south; Poland to the west; and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus covers an area of approximately 207,595 square kilometres (80,153 square miles) and has a population of around 9.1 million people. Minsk, the capital and largest city, is located in the centre of the country and serves as its administrative, cultural, educational, industrial and economic centre.

Russia, the northeastern neighbour of Belarus, is the largest country in the world by land area. Russia and Belarus have historically shared close ties, and in 1999, the two countries signed the Union State Foundation Treaty, aiming to create a politically integrated confederation. Russia's northern border with Belarus stretches for over 950 kilometres, while its eastern border with Belarus is approximately 1,084 kilometres long.

Ukraine, located south of Belarus, shares a 891-kilometre border. The two countries have a close relationship due to their shared history and cultural ties. The southern border of Belarus is characterised by lowlands, marshes, and peat bogs, forming part of the larger Polesia area that extends into Ukraine, Russia, and Poland. The Pripyat River flows through this region, creating a natural waterway that has been historically significant for trade and communication.

Poland, to the west of Belarus, shares a 418-kilometre border. The western border of Belarus is marked by the Neman River, which flows westward into the Baltic Sea. The Neman Basin, located in the northwestern region of Belarus, is crucial for agriculture, particularly for the cultivation of potatoes, flax, and grains.

Lithuania borders Belarus to the northwest, with a shared border of 502 kilometres. The Belarusian Ridge, a collection of low hills and uplands, extends from the north-central region of Belarus towards Lithuania. This ridge divides the country's river systems, with some flowing towards the Black Sea and others towards the Baltic Sea.

Latvia, another northwestern neighbour of Belarus, shares a 161-kilometre border. The northern border of Belarus is characterised by flat terrain shaped by glacial movements and river erosion. This region is home to the Polatsk Lowland, a broad plain in the north of the republic.

Minsk is the capital

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 also one of the administrative capitals of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Minsk is the economic and industrial centre of Belarus, contributing nearly 46% of the country's budget and over a quarter of its GDP. The city has over 250 factories and plants, with major industries including machine building, food and beverages, electrical equipment, vehicles, and pharmaceuticals. Minsk is also a major educational and cultural hub, with numerous higher education institutions, theatres, museums, and libraries.

The city is located on the southeastern slope of the Minsk Hills and has diverse terrain, with hilly relief and several waterways, including the Svislach and Niamiha rivers. Minsk has a warm, humid continental climate with unpredictable weather influenced by both the Atlantic Ocean and Eurasian landmass.

Minsk has a rich history, having been part of various principalities, duchies, and empires over the centuries. It became the capital of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1919 and remained the capital when Belarus gained independence in 1991. Today, Minsk is a bustling city with a population of about two million, making it the 11th most populous city in Europe.

Minsk is known for its sports traditions and has hosted several international events, including the European Games and the IIHF World Championship. The city also has a well-developed public transport system, including buses, trolleybuses, tramways, and a metro system.

Belarus is in Eastern Europe

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 spans 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 centrally and is administered separately from the rest of the country.

Belarus has a complex history and a diverse geography. The territory that is now Belarus underwent partition and changed hands repeatedly, resulting in a strong influence from its neighbouring countries. Belarus has retained close ties with its most dominant neighbour, Russia, since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The two countries signed the Union State Foundation Treaty in 1999, aiming to create a politically integrated confederation.

Belarus's landscape is predominantly flat and shaped by glacial movements and river erosion. It features lowlands, marshes, peat bogs, and ridges of hills and uplands. The country is home to many streams and over 10,000 small lakes, with the Dnieper River being the most significant. Belarus also has several large natural lakes, including Lake Narach, the largest in the country.

The country's southern region, known as Belarusian Polesia, forms part of a larger Polesia area that extends into Ukraine, Russia, and Poland. This region is characterised by its lowlands, marshes, and peat bogs, and it serves as a vital area for freshwater reservoirs. The Pripyat River flows through this region, providing a natural waterway that has historically been important for trade and communication.

Belarus is rich in natural history and wildlife, with about 40% of the country covered in forests. It is home to rare plant and animal species and has several National Parks, including the Pripyatski National Park, which is the only place in the world with primeval lowland oak woods.

It is a former Soviet republic

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 the smallest of the three Slavic republics included in the former Soviet Union, the larger two being Russia and Ukraine.

The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR), also known as Byelorussia, was a republic of the Soviet Union (USSR) and existed between 1920 and 1922 as an independent state. From 1922 to 1991, it was one of fifteen constituent republics of the USSR, with its own legislation from 1990 to 1991. The BSSR was ruled by the Communist Party of Byelorussia and was one of the four founding members of the Soviet Union in December 1922, along with the republics of Russia, Transcaucasia, and Ukraine.

The BSSR's existence as an independent state was preceded by the Belarusian Democratic Republic (BDR), which was proclaimed under German occupation following the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March 1918, which ended Russia's involvement in World War I. However, as German troops left, the Socialist Soviet Republic of Byelorussia was established in their place by the Bolsheviks in December 1918. This was later merged with the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1919 to form the Socialist Soviet Republic of Lithuania and Belorussia, which ceased to exist due to the Polish occupation during the Polish-Soviet War.

The BSSR became a founding member of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1922. During World War II, the BSSR was the hardest-hit Soviet republic, remaining under German occupation until 1944. The German occupation and retreat produced widespread devastation and loss of life, with an estimated quarter of the region's population perishing during the war. The Byelorussian SSR was given a seat in the United Nations General Assembly in 1945, along with the Soviet Union and Ukrainian SSR, becoming one of the founding members of the UN.

In the early 1990s, the BSSR declared sovereignty and, during the dissolution of the Soviet Union, gained independence on 25 August 1991. The Soviet Union was formally dissolved on 26 December 1991. The BSSR was renamed the Republic of Belarus on 19 September 1991, and it is the legal successor of the Byelorussian SSR.

Frequently asked questions