Ukraine and Belarus are two Eastern European countries that share a border. Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe, with an area of 603,550 square kilometres. Belarus, on the other hand, is a medium-sized European country with an area of 207,600 square kilometres. This means that Ukraine is almost three times the size of Belarus.
Characteristics | Values | |
---|---|---|
Population | Ukraine: 40,997,698 | Belarus: 9,256,000 |
Surface Area | Ukraine: 603,550 km2 | Belarus: 207,610 km2 |
Currency | Ukraine: Hryvnias | Belarus: Belarusian rubles |
Religion | Ukraine: Mostly Christianity | Belarus: Mostly Christianity |
Top Tax Rate | Ukraine: 18% | Belarus: 13% |
GDP per Capita | Ukraine: $10,700 | Belarus: $19,100 |
Unemployment Rate | Ukraine: 9.8% | Belarus: 3.6% |
Life Expectancy | Ukraine: 73 years | Belarus: 74 years |
What You'll Learn
Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe, Belarus is 13th
Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe, after Russia. Belarus is the 13th largest country in Europe. Ukraine's area is almost three times the size of Belarus. Ukraine covers an area of 603,550 square kilometres, while Belarus covers an area of 207,600 square kilometres.
Ukraine is a unitary state with a semi-presidential system of government. It is a developing country and the poorest in Europe by nominal GDP per capita. Ukraine has a population of over 41 million people and is heavily urbanised, with about 67% of its total population living in urban areas.
Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is a unitary democratic welfare rule-of-law state with a presidential republic structure. Belarus has a population of 9.41 million, with an urban population of 7,212,405 accounting for 78.4% of the total population.
Ukraine has a diverse landscape consisting mostly of fertile steppes and plateaus, crossed by rivers such as the Dnieper, Seversky Donets, Dniester, and the Southern Bug. It has the second-largest Eastern Orthodox population in the world, after Russia.
Belarus has a predominantly flat terrain intersected by hills, flatlands, and lowlands with marshes and lakes. It is located in the water basins of the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea. Belarus has over 20,000 streams and 11,000 lakes.
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Ukraine has a coastline, Belarus is landlocked
Ukraine and Belarus are neighbouring countries in Eastern Europe. Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe by area, with a total area of 603,700 square kilometres (233,100 sq mi). Belarus, on the other hand, is roughly one-third the size of Ukraine, spanning an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi).
One key difference between the two countries is that Ukraine has a coastline, while Belarus is landlocked. Ukraine's coastline is 2,782 kilometres (1,729 mi) long and includes the northern and western shores of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The coastline can be divided into eight distinct areas, each with its own unique geographical features. The Black Sea and the Sea of Azov play an important role in Ukraine's hydrography, with many of the country's rivers flowing into them.
In contrast, Belarus is characterised by flat lowlands, hills, and uplands. The country has thousands of streams and lakes, and is home to three major rivers: the Neman, the Pripyat, and the Dnieper. Belarus also has a large number of forests, with about 40% of the country covered in forest.
The diverse geography of Ukraine, including its coastline, has resulted in a variety of climatic conditions across the country. The southern coasts feature semi-arid and humid subtropical climates, while the rest of the country generally has a continental climate.
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Ukraine has a higher population density
Ukraine's population is heavily urbanized, with about 67% of its total population living in urban areas. In contrast, Belarus has a more evenly distributed population, with about 79% of its population living in urban areas.
The population density of Ukraine is further influenced by its geography. Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe, after Russia, with a total area of 603,550 square kilometers. Belarus, on the other hand, is a medium-sized European country with an area of 207,600 square kilometers.
Ukraine's large land area provides room for its diverse geographic features, including fertile steppes, plateaus, and mountain ranges. In contrast, Belarus has a more compact territory with a predominantly flat terrain intersected by hills, flatlands, and lowlands with marshes and lakes.
The urban-rural distribution also contributes to the population density difference between the two countries. Ukraine has 457 cities, while Belarus has 115 cities. Additionally, Ukraine's three largest cities, Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro, have populations exceeding one million. In comparison, Minsk, the largest city in Belarus, has a population of around two million.
The historical and political context also plays a role in the population density variation. Ukraine has experienced significant population fluctuations due to events such as the dissolution of the Soviet Union, mass emigration, and the ongoing conflict with Russia. Belarus, on the other hand, has maintained closer ties with Russia and has not experienced the same extent of population changes.
In summary, Ukraine's higher population density compared to Belarus can be attributed to factors such as geography, urbanization, historical context, and political events. These factors have influenced the distribution and concentration of the population in these two Eastern European countries.
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Belarus has a higher percentage of forest cover
Belarus and Ukraine are two Eastern European countries that were once part of the Soviet Union. Belarus is landlocked and bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Ukraine, on the other hand, has a coastline along the Black Sea and shares a border with Russia, Belarus, Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova.
In terms of size, Ukraine is roughly three times larger than Belarus. Ukraine spans an area of 603,500 square kilometres (233,010 sq mi), while Belarus covers 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi). Despite their proximity and shared history, these two countries differ significantly in terms of geography and natural resources.
One notable difference between the two countries is their forest cover. Belarus has a higher percentage of forest cover, with about 40% to 43% of its land area covered by forests. In contrast, Ukraine's forest cover is much lower, at approximately 15.9%. This difference in forest cover has several implications for the countries' respective ecosystems and biodiversity.
Belarus' extensive forests consist primarily of mixed deciduous and coniferous trees, including pine, spruce, oak, and hornbeam. Birch trees are also common throughout the country. The Belovezhskaya Forest, on the border with Poland, is one of the largest surviving areas of primeval mixed forest in Europe. It encompasses over 460 square miles (1,200 square kilometres) and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
In contrast, Ukraine has one of the highest percentages of cultivated land globally, with agriculture favouring rich "chornozem" soils. While Ukraine does have forested areas, particularly in the Carpathians and Polissia regions, these ecosystems have faced threats such as clear-cutting, the introduction of invasive tree species, and drainage of swamps.
The higher forest cover in Belarus provides several ecological benefits. Forests act as a refuge for wildlife, preserving rare species of plants, animals, and fungi. They also play a crucial role in carbon storage, helping to prevent climate change. Additionally, the natural forests in Belarus provide various ecosystem services that contribute to human well-being, such as firewood, timber, and honey.
In summary, Belarus has a higher percentage of forest cover than Ukraine, and this has led to ecological benefits for the country. The forests in Belarus support biodiversity, store carbon, and provide valuable resources for the local population.
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Ukraine has a higher GDP per capita
Ukraine's economy is ranked 59th in the world, with a GDP of $130.8 billion. Belarus, on the other hand, is ranked 78th, with a GDP of $59.7 billion. Ukraine also has a higher GDP 5-year average growth, ranking 176th compared to Belarus's 167th.
Despite having a lower GDP per capita, Belarus has a lower unemployment rate than Ukraine. In 2021, 9.8% of adults in Ukraine were unemployed, while in Belarus, that number was 3.6% as of 2022. Belarus also has a lower top tax rate than Ukraine, with 13% compared to Ukraine's 18%.
In terms of area, Ukraine is almost three times larger than Belarus. Ukraine has an area of approximately 603,550 square kilometres, while Belarus spans around 207,600 square kilometres. Belarus 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. Ukraine, on the other hand, borders several countries, including Russia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova.
Both Ukraine and Belarus have a similar life expectancy, with Ukraine having a slight edge. As of 2022, the average life expectancy in Ukraine was 73 years, while in Belarus, it was 74 years.
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Frequently asked questions
Ukraine is almost three times the size of Belarus. Ukraine has an area of 603,550 square kilometres, while Belarus has an area of 207,600 square kilometres.
Ukraine has a higher population than Belarus. Ukraine's population is 41 million, while Belarus has a population of 9.4 million.
Ukraine has a higher GDP than Belarus. Ukraine's GDP is 538.388 billion dollars, while Belarus's GDP is 181.286 billion dollars.