Belarus

Historically, in English, Belarus was sometimes referred to as "White Russia" or "White Ruthenia", a literal translation of its name. This literal translation is also used in a number of other languages, e.g., "Weißrussland" in German, "Wit-Rusland" in Dutch and "Baltarusija" in Lithuanian. The name "Byelorussia" is considered derogatory by some, as it is perceived as remnant of Russian and Soviet imperialism and policies of russification (the full title of the Russian tsar was "Emperor of All the Russias - Great, Minor, and White"). The name "Belarus" is now favoured by these individuals for this reason.

History

Main article: History of Belarus

The present Slavic population of Belarus settled there between the 6th and the 8th century. The Early East Slavs gradually came in contact with the Varangians and were organized under the Rus', notably in the principality of Polatsk in modern-day northern Belarus.

By the 13th century, the state of Rus was gravely impacted by the Mongol invasion and the Belarusian territories were consolidated under the Lithuanians as the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Rus' and Samogitia. The city of Navahradak in today's western Belarus was at one point the capital of this state.

In 1569 the duchy became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth under the kings of Poland. It remained part of it until 1795, when it was acquired by Imperial Russia. After the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the end of the World War II, there existed a short-lived Belarus National Republic that was replaced by the Byelorussian SSR in 1919, one of the founding members of the Soviet Union.

In the Second World War, Belarus was occupied by Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1945. Another notable harsh period in Belarusian history was the Chernobyl accident of 1986.

Belarus declared independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1990, and became a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 1991.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Belarus

Belarus is a republic governed by a President and a bicameral Parliament or Natsionalnoye Sobranie. The judiciary is headed by a Supreme Court and a Constitutional Court.

Administrative subdivision

Main article: Subdivisions of Belarus

At the higher administrative level, Belarus is divided into 6 voblasts and one municipality (horad, i.e., "city"); the latter one is the capital of Belarus.

Minsk, the horad
Brest voblast (Brest)
Homyel voblast (Homyel')
Hrodna voblast (Hrodna)
Mahilyow voblast (Mahilyow)
Minsk voblast (Minsk)
Vitsebsk voblast (Vitsebsk)
(Note: Administrative centers are named in parentheses.)

Voblasts are further subdivided into rayons (usually translated as districts).

Geography

Main article: Geography of Belarus

Belarus borders Poland and Lithuania on the west, Russia on the east, Ukraine on the south and Latvia on the north.

Although landlocked, it has 11,000 lakes. Three major rivers run through it: the Neman River, the Pripyat River, and the Dnepr River. Belarus is relatively flat and marsh-rich. The largest marsh territory is Polesie. Its highest point at Dzyarzhynskaya Hara (Dzyarzhynsk Hill), 346 m, and its lowest point on the Neman river, 90 m.

The natural resources of Belarus are forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Belarus

President Lukashenko launched the country on the path of "market socialism" in 1995. In keeping with this policy, Lukashenko re-imposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprise. In addition to the burdens imposed by high inflation, businesses have been subject to pressure on the part of central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, and retroactive application of new business regulations prohibiting practices that had been legal.

Further economic problems are two consecutive bad harvests, 1998-1999, and persistent trade deficits. Close relations with Russia, possibly leading to reunion, color the pattern of economic developments. For the time being, Belarus remains self-isolated from the West and its open-market economies.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Belarus

Belarus is primarily inhabited by Belarusians, and some Russians, Poles, Ukrainians and others.

Most demographic indicators resemble other European countries, notably with both the population growth rate and the natural growth rate in the negative.

According to various estimates, 60-70% of Belarusians consider themselves Russian Orthodox, about 15-20% are Catholics, and 5-10% are Protestants or other religions. There is a considerable amount of atheists.

Historically the Belarusians enjoyed a variety of religions: Russian Orthodox, Catholicism, Protestantism. Since president Lukashenka came to power, the Russian Orthodox Church in Belarus was given more official support. This was particularly evident in tax breaks that allowed the Church to become a large-scale exporter of tax-free vodka and cigarettes. A new religion law was passed in Belarus that does not have the support of the Catholics and the Protestants as well as other believers, who complain that it discriminates them, giving many preferences to Russian Orthodox Church. (See also Kalvaryja.)

Culture

Main article: Culture of Belarus

Symbols from earlier history

The white-red-white flag of Belarus The Chase/Pahonya CoA of Belarus

The images show the white-red-white flag (бел-чырвона-белы сцяг) and the Chase (Пагоня, Pahonya) coat of arms. These historical symbols were adopted as the official national symbols of the Republic of Belarus from the time it got its independence in July 1991 and until the Referendum of 1995.

Miscellaneous topics

Communications in Belarus
Transportation in Belarus
- Belavia (national airlines)
Military of Belarus
Belarus (tractor)

External links

minnan:Belarus