Belarus

The Republic of Belarus is a country in Eastern Europe. It borders to Russia in the north and east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the north. Belarus is a presidential republic with a capital in Minsk. Other major cities sand a regional centers are Brest - 316,400 inhabitants Vitebsk - 346,900 inhabitants, Gomel - 486,300 inhabitants, Grodno -332,000 inhabitants, Mogilev - 371,300 inhabitants.

The population of Belarus is more then 9 million people with about 80% of ethnic Belarusian and significant Russian minority. The country has two official languages: Belarusian and Russian. The primary religion is Russian Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholicism, is a second popular religion in the country.

Belarus is landlocked country with continental climate. 40% of Belarus land is covered by forests, a significant part of which is Belavezhskaya Pushcha, the largest remaining parts of ancient woodland and a National park . Belarus possesses unique natural environment that hosts a fascinating selection of rare plant and animal species. Three major rivers run through the country: the Neman, the Pripyat, and the Dnepr. Polesye marshland is situated around the Pripyat River in the south

The name of the country literally mans White Russia and its origin dates back to days of Russian Empire, a part of which Belarus became after the division of Rzecz Pospolita. Belarus was a part of Russia right before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 with the exception of short period of independence in 1918. The country was however partitioned between Russia and Poland as a result of Riga Peace Treaty in 1921.

Belarus survived occupation and fierce combat operations during WWII. It was considered to be hardest hit Soviet Republic during the war and liberated only in 1944. The siege of Brest Fortress is one of the most notable defences during the Great Patriotic war and Khatyn massacre is one of its most bloody and cruel page.

Belarus is a homeland of famous scientists (Alexander Chizhevsky, Zhores Alferov), artists (Marc Chagall ), writers and poets (Simeon Polotsky , Maxim Bogdanovich)

Belarus has much to offer for a visitor: amiable people, tasty food, breathe- taking landscapes, ancient architecture and peculiar spirit of the country. Belarus is famous for its cuisine, the expect country in cooking potato, a place where Draniki and Kalduny originate from.

Belarus has four World Heritage Sites: the Mir Castle Complex, the Nesvizh Castle, the Belovezhskaya Pushcha (shared with Poland), and the Struve Geodetic Arc (shared with nine other countries).
A great many of war memorials are located in Belarus. The memorial sight "Yama" (the hole), situated on the place where the Nazi shot 5000 Jews from Minsk Ghetto, the Brest Fortress memorial, Khatyn national war memorial with its heart-breaking "Invincible Man" statue.

Unique samples of ancient architecture include Kossovo Palace and Park Ensemble (19th century), Kalozha, or Sts Boris and Gleb Church (12th century), Kamenets tower (Belaya Vezha) (13th century), Charles Baramesha's Church in Pinsk (18th century), Nesvizh palace - park complex ((16th - 19th Century), St. Sofia Cathedral in Polotsk ((11th - 18th Century),) and a great many of others.

Currency: Belarusian ruble (Br)

Belarus photos

Minsk 11-Jul-2003	Minsk 11-Jul-2003	Minsk 11-Jul-2003
Gomel 14-Jul-2003	Gomel 24-Oct-2002	Minsk 11-Jul-2003

More photos are on http://belarus.russian-women.net

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