Belarus
Belarus, officially known as the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country situated in Eastern Europe. It shares its borders with Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Covering an area of 80,200 square miles, Belarus has a population of approximately 9.1 million. The country experiences a hemiboreal climate and is administratively divided into six regions. The capital and largest city is Minsk, which is distinctively recognized with special administrative status.
Throughout history, the lands that make up modern Belarus have been influenced by various states, including Kievan Rus', the Principality of Polotsk, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Russian Empire. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, a tumultuous period ensued, giving rise to competing states until the Byelorussian SSR emerged, becoming a founding republic of the Soviet Union in 1922. However, in the aftermath of the Polish-Soviet War (1918–1921), Belarus lost nearly half of its territory to Poland. The borders we recognize today began to take shape in 1939, when certain lands of the Second Polish Republic were reintegrated following the Soviet invasion of Poland, with final adjustments made post-World War II.
World War II had a devastating impact on Belarus, with approximately a quarter of its population and half of its economic resources lost during the conflict. In 1945, the Byelorussian SSR became a founding member of the United Nations as well as the Soviet Union. During this time, the republic was home to a vast and diverse anti-Nazi insurgent movement that significantly influenced political dynamics until the late 1970s, contributing to Belarus' transformation from an agrarian economy to an industrial one.
On July 27, 1990, the parliament of the republic proclaimed Belarus's sovereignty, and the nation achieved independence on August 25, 1991, during the dissolution of the Soviet Union. A new constitution was adopted in 1994, and in the nation's first and only free election post-independence, Alexander Lukashenko was elected as Belarus's first president, a role he has held ever since. Under his leadership, Belarus is characterized by a highly centralized authoritarian government, earning low rankings in international assessments of press freedom and civil liberties. Several Soviet-era policies persist, including state ownership of substantial sectors of the economy. Belarus is also noted as the last European country to retain capital punishment. In 2000, a treaty was signed between Belarus and Russia to promote greater cooperation, leading to the formation of the Union State.
Minsk, Belarus
World War II had a devastating impact on Belarus, with approximately a quarter of its population and half of its economic resources lost during the conflict. In 1945, the Byelorussian SSR became a founding member of the United Nations as well as the Soviet Union. During this time, the republic was home to a vast and diverse anti-Nazi insurgent movement that significantly influenced political dynamics until the late 1970s, contributing to Belarus' transformation from an agrarian economy to an industrial one.
On July 27, 1990, the parliament of the republic proclaimed Belarus's sovereignty, and the nation achieved independence on August 25, 1991, during the dissolution of the Soviet Union. A new constitution was adopted in 1994, and in the nation's first and only free election post-independence, Alexander Lukashenko was elected as Belarus's first president, a role he has held ever since. Under his leadership, Belarus is characterized by a highly centralized authoritarian government, earning low rankings in international assessments of press freedom and civil liberties. Several Soviet-era policies persist, including state ownership of substantial sectors of the economy. Belarus is also noted as the last European country to retain capital punishment. In 2000, a treaty was signed between Belarus and Russia to promote greater cooperation, leading to the formation of the Union State.
