Exploring Eastern Europe: Where Is Belarus Located?

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, the largest city, is the capital and is administered separately from the rest of the country.

Belarus is landlocked and bordered by five countries: Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine, and Poland

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by five countries: Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine, and Poland. It is a medium-sized European state, spanning an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 square miles) and a population of 9.1 million. Minsk, the capital and largest city, is located in the centre of the country and is administered separately from the surrounding region, Minsk Oblast.

Lithuania and Latvia border Belarus to the northwest, with Lithuania being the closest neighbouring country to Minsk at a distance of 215 kilometres. To the north and northeast lies Latvia, followed by Russia to the east and northeast. Ukraine borders Belarus to the south, while Poland lies to the west. The total length of Belarus's state border is 3,617 kilometres.

The country's present borders were established during World War Two, when it was occupied by Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1944. Belarus suffered devastating losses during this period, losing about a quarter of its population and half of its economic resources. The borders were finalised after the war, during which the country was retaken by Stalin's Russia.

Belarus has a predominantly flat terrain, featuring hills, flatlands, and lowlands with marshes and lakes. The northern part, known as the Belarusian Lake District, has glacial relief, while the middle part is located in the glaciolacustrine zone of the Belarusian Ridge. The southern part comprises morainic and aquaglacial plains, as well as flat, marshy lowlands.

The country is part of Eastern Europe and spans an area of 207,600 square kilometres

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 square miles) with a population of 9.1 million. Minsk, the capital and largest city, is administered separately as a city with special status.

Belarus is the 13th largest country among 44 continental European states and the world's 84th largest country. It is bigger than Greece, Portugal, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. Belarus is nearly as big as Romania and the United Kingdom. The country has a predominantly flat terrain intersected by hills, flatlands, and lowlands with marshes and lakes.

The country is divided into six regions: Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev, and Minsk. Minsk is an independent city that does not fall within any of these regions. Belarus is a unitary democratic welfare rule-of-law state with a semi-presidential system. The official languages are Belarusian and Russian.

The present borders of Belarus were established during World War II. Previously, it was occupied by the Russian Empire and later by Nazi Germany. Belarus became independent from the Soviet Union on 25 August 1991 and has been led by President Alexander Lukashenko since 1994.

Minsk is the capital and largest city of Belarus

Minsk is the administrative, economic, scientific, and cultural hub of Belarus, located just 70km from the country's geographical centre. It is the seat of the country's most important institutions, including the Palace of Independence, the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and the National Bank. Minsk is the only city in Belarus with a metro service, launched in 1984, and it is divided into nine administrative districts.

Minsk is a major industrial centre, contributing significantly to the national GDP. The city's economy is based on machine building, particularly the manufacture of trucks and tractors, as well as electrical equipment, vehicles, construction materials, and pharmaceuticals. Minsk is home to well-known Belarusian brands such as Minsk Tractor Works, Minsk Automobile Plant, and Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant. The city also has a thriving services sector, serving the needs of the entire nation.

Minsk has a rich history, having been the seat of a principality in 1101 and passing through Lithuanian, Polish, and Russian rule over the centuries. It has been almost entirely rebuilt multiple times, most recently following its near-total destruction during World War II. Today, Minsk is a beautiful European city, boasting abundant parks, wide boulevards, and blocks of multistorey apartment buildings. It is known for its unique 20th-century architectural ensemble along Independence Avenue, as well as landmarks such as the Victory Monument, the Town Hall, the National Library, and the Holy Spirit Cathedral.

Belarus has a population of around 9 million people

The population of Belarus is predominantly urban, with about 78% of the population living in urban areas. The ethnic makeup of the country is diverse, with Belarusians making up about 85% of the population, followed by Russians (7.5%), Poles (3.1%), and Ukrainians (1.7%). The official languages of Belarus are Belarusian and Russian.

The population density in Belarus is around 45 people per square kilometre, and the median age is 40.9 years. The country has a negative population growth rate and a low fertility rate of 1.22. The life expectancy at birth is 72.15 years, with males having a lower life expectancy (66.53 years) than females (78.1 years).

Belarus has a rich history, with the territory being controlled by various states throughout the medieval period and the 20th century. The country gained independence in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Today, Belarus is a unitary democratic welfare rule-of-law state with a semi-presidential system.

The country has a hemiboreal climate and is divided into six regions

Belarus has a hemiboreal climate and is divided into six administrative regions, or oblasts. These are Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev, and Minsk. Minsk, the capital and largest city, is administered separately as a city with special status.

The country's climate is moderate continental, with cool, humid winters and warm summers. The average temperature in January ranges from −4.5°C to −8°C, and in July, it is around +17°C to +18.5°C. Some parts of Belarus experience sub-zero temperatures for over a third of the year.

The country's flat terrain is broken up by the Belarusian Ridge, a diagonal swathe of elevated territory that runs through the country from west-southwest to east-northeast. The highest point in Belarus is Mount Dzyarzhynskaya (345-346 meters), in the Dzerzhinsk District of Minsk Oblast. Northern Belarus has a hilly landscape with many lakes and gently sloping ridges created by glacial debris. In the south, about a third of the country's territory around the Pripiac River is a low-lying swampy plain called Palyessye, shared with Ukraine, Poland, and Russia.

Belarus is landlocked and bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Latvia to the north, Lithuania to the northwest, Poland to the west, and Ukraine to the south. It has a total area of 207,600 square kilometers (80,200 sq mi) and a population of approximately 9.1 million people.

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