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Belarus
Orthodox baptism in Lyuban | Photo: Anna Kovaliova
Belarus
Castle in Mir | Photo: Benny Reiter
Belarus
River Pripyat | Photo: Benny Reiter
Belarus
Monastery of the Basilians in Baruny | Photo: Anna Kovaliova
Belarus
Church forecourt near Turau | Photo: Anna Kovaliova
About Belarus
  • Country & People
    • In front of Minsk City Hall Belarus
      Belarus Art and Architecture
    • Ladki from the Russian oven Belarus
      Belarusian National Cuisine and Most Popular Recipes
    • Birds on power line Belarus
      Key Belarusian Cultural Events and Festivals
    • Mir castle Belarus
      State Symbols of the Republic of Belarus
    • hay bales harvesting time Belarus
      Key Public Holidays in Belarus
    • Books of the belarussian literary classics in the library Minsk Belarus
      Belarusian Literature – Famous Authors and Their Masterpieces
    • Belarusian books Belarus
      The Belarusian language
  • History
    • Memorial Second World War Belarus
      Significant Events in the History of Belarus
    • Belarus Polotsk Sophia Cathedral
      Duchy of Polotsk – History and Interesting Facts
    • Courtyard of Mir Castle Belarus
      Belarus During the Times of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
    • Catholic St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Grodno Hrodna Belarus
      The History of Belarus in Times of Rzeczpospolita, Polish period
    • Minsk central railway station 1873 Belarus
      The Relation Between Belarus and the Russian Empire
    • Lenin monument in front of the government building Minsk Belarus
      The History of Belarus as a Part of the Soviet Union
    • Memorial Shunevka Belarus
      Belarus During World War II
    • Maly Trostinets extermination camp Belarus
      Maly Trostenets – forgotten place of extermination
    • Minsk Ghetto Monument Belarus
      Minsk Ghetto and Holocaust in Belarus
    • I love Belarus
      The History of the Belarusian Statehood
    • Flag of the Eurasian Economic Union
      Belarus and the Eurasian Economic Union
    • Stork heraldic animal Belarus
      Belarus and White Russia: How the two are related
  • Cities & Regions
    • Braslau lakes viewpoint Mayak Belarus
      Geography of Belarus – Key Facts
    • Minsk Lenin and the Modernity Belarus
      Minsk – the History of the Belarusian Capital
    • Vitebsk city center Belarus
      Vitebsk – Beautiful City in Belarus
    • train station Brest Belarus
      Brest – Western Capital of Belarus. Interesting Facts
    • Catholic St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Grodno Hrodna Belarus
      Grodno – magic city of Belarus
    • Belarus Polotsk Sophia Cathedral
      Polotsk – the Most Ancient City of Belarus
    • Wolf in the grass Belarus
      Białowieża National Park
    • Braslau Switzerland from above Belarus
      Braslaw Lakes National Park
    • Paddling on the Prypyat Belarus
      Polesia and Pripyat Swamps
    • Birch over the Berezina Belarus
      Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve – Key Facts
    • big dump truck BELAZ Belarus
      Phenomenon of state owned factories: the company BELAZ
  • Religion
    • Statue of Jesus in Ivye Belarus
      Multireligious Belarus: Denominations, Religious Diversity
    • Orthodox wooden church Belarus
      The History of Christianity in Belarus
    • Holy Scripture of the Jews Belarus
      Jewish Heritage In Belarus
    • Mosque in Ivye Belarus
      The Muslim Community in Belarus. History and Interesting Facts

Key Facts About Belarus That Everyone Should Know

Belarus

Since 1991, there has been a sovereign state at the crossroads between the east-west and north-south trade routes in the heart of Europe. In Western Europe, very little is known about this country which bears the delightful name Belarus (or White Russia, if you prefer).

Belarus is beautiful and we can prove it. Let the mystery unfurl and see for yourself…

Geographical location

The Republic of Belarus is located in Eastern Europe and borders on Poland to the west, on Lithuania and Latvia to the north-west, on Russia to the east and on the Ukraine to the south. In all, the national borders extend over 2969 kilometres. The country is composed of lowlands, which were favourable to the development of trade routes and economic relations. It is of fundamental importance that the country lies at the crossroads of the main European trading routes.

The shortest route from Russia’s central and eastern regions to Western Europe passes through Belarus. The same applies to the route from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Vilnius is 185 kilometres from Minsk (the capital of the Republic of Belarus), Warsaw 550 kilometres, Moscow 700 kilometres and Bern 2000 kilometres.

Scientists in many countries argue about where the centre of Europe lies. It depends on how the calculations are made. In 2000, it was proved to be in northern Belarus, near the oldest town of Polotsk. Today you will find a monument there, marking this central point.

Belarus covers a surface area of 207 560 square kilometres, but is nevertheless quite compact. It measures 650 kilometres from west to east and 560 kilometres from north to south. Belarus is the 13th largest country in Europe and five times the size of Switzerland.

Generally speaking, Belarus is flat or slightly hilly – on average 160 metres above sea level – and the highest point is 345 metres. The minimal relief is ideal for human settlement, agriculture, industrial construction and tourism.

Belarus is divided into six regions (Russian: Oblast), each with a capital, namely Minsk, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev, Gomel and Brest. The regions are further subdivided into 118 districts.

Climate

The moderate continental climate, which is influenced by air masses from the Atlantic, is characterized by warm, wet summers, mild winters with frequent thaw periods and unstable weather in spring and autumn. However, seasonal shifts are not uncommon in Belarus thanks to climate change.

Population

According to the latest figures, the population of Belarus is about 9.5 million people. The largest town is Minsk, where approximately 2 million people live.

More than 100 peoples and ethnic groups live in Belarus, although the majority is of course Belarusian. The largest minorities are Russian, Polish and Ukrainian.

Religion

Most Belarusians are Orthodox Christians, some are Catholic (mainly in the west). In addition there are many Jews, Moslems and Protestants. This has had an effect on Belarusian architecture and by looking at this you can determine which confession is prevalent in the respective area.

Languages

There are two official languages in Belarus: Russian and Belarusian. Most people use Russian in daily life. In recent times a language phenomenon called Trasjanka has developed. This is a mixture of the Russian and Belarusian languages. Most youngsters also speak German and English.

Public holidays

The most important public holidays include Constitution Day (15th March), Independence Day (3rd July) and Victory Day (9th May).

Women’s Day is celebrated on 8th March and the Day of Defenders of the Fatherland on 23rd February. As an echo of the past, Labour Day is celebrated in Belarus on 1st May and the October Revolution on 7th November.

In addition, certain religious festivals (e.g. Easter, Whitsun) and public festivals (e.g. Ivan Kupala Day) are also celebrated.

Despite numerous wars on its territory, Belarus has retained the atmosphere and spirit of former times – to which the castles from the Middle Ages, tiny village churches, ancient heathen mounds, virgin forests, clear rivers and lakes all bear witness.

East and West, old and new are closely interwoven here and today Belarusians live alongside other peoples in peace and harmony. This is what makes a journey of discovery to Belarus so worthwhile.

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Tours
  • Circular tour Belarus
  • City tour: Minsk
  • Vitebsk tour
  • Grodno tour
  • Brest tour
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