Location: Eastern Europe
The Republic of Belarus is a new independent state situated in Eastern
Europe. The name Belarus means “white Rus” (White Russia).
Situated at the crossroads of trade routes from the East to the West and from the North to the South, Belarus assimilated traditions, culture, and languages of different peoples. Today, it is a modern European country and a member of the world community.
Belarus is a country with a resilient economy and diversified industrial profile. Despite a lack of natural resources, the Chernobyl accident (1986), and the economic crisis the country had to overcome after the breakup of the USSR (1991), Belarus has recorded substantial economic growth.
Belarus has been a UN member since 1945. It is also a part of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) that was formed after the breakup of the Soviet Union.
In 1996, the country joined the Eurasian Economic Community that unified Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and later Uzbekistan. The community was created to guarantee freedom of movement among the member countries. In 2010, Belarus joined the Common Economic Space and signed the Customs Union agreement with Kazakhstan and Russia
According to the latest UN Human Development Report, Belarus tops the countries with high level of development and ranks 53rd among 187 countries of the world with regard to human development, its Human Development Index (HDI) being 0.786.According to The 2014 Legatum Prosperity Index survey conducted by the British Legatum Institute analytic center, Belarus ranks 53rd among 142 countries with regard to prosperity and wellbeing.
More than 20,000 rivers and creeks and about 11,000 lakes are situated in Belarus. The biggest lake is Naroch of about 80 square kilometers. The forests of Belarus are rich in valuable species of trees (pine tree, spruce, oak, birch tree, aspen, and alder) and game (fox, marten, hare, otter, ferret, ermine, elk, and wild boar). V
Representatives of approximately 120 nationalities live in Belarus, including Belarusians, Russians, Poles, Ukrainians, and Jews. The spirit of tolerance and the high cultural level of Belarusians favored coexistence among the various nationalities proving that diversity is not an obstacle to good relations.
Sights and Culture
Mir Castle Belaya Vezha (White Tower) Dudutki, museum of old handicraft Belarus Opera and Ballet Theater Belarus State Circus Belarusian National Art Museum Marc Chagall Museum in Vitebsk Adam Mickiewicz Museum in Novogrudok Polotsk Art GalleryBelovezhskaya Pushcha