Belarus is located in Eastern Europe and was formerly part of the Soviet Union as the Belarusian SSR. The country has been an independent republic since 1991 and is divided into 6 provinces. Belarus borders Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Ukraine.
| Capital: | Minsk |
| Biggest city: | Minsk |
| State: | republic |
| Language: | Belarusian, Russian |
| Religion: | Christian orthodoxy, Catholicism |
| Surface: | 207 600 km² |
| Population: | 9.5 million (2013) |
| Population density: | 46 inhabitants per km² |
| Expectancy: | 71 years |
| Illiteracy: | 0% |
| Currency: | Belarusian ruble (BYR) |
| GDP per capita: | $ 13,100 (2010) |
| Time difference: | +1 hour |
| Electricity: | 220 V AC, 50Hz |
| National Day: | 11 November |
| Country area code: | 375 |
| 2-Letter country abbreviation: | BY (See more abbreviations on Abbreviationfinder) |
| Business: | industry 40%, service sector 39%, agriculture 21% |
| Climate: | temperate; cold winters and mild, humid summers |
It is estimated that there are up to 11,000 lakes in Belarus, but the majority of them have an area of less than 0.5 km2. Forests cover around 74 percent of the country, making this one of Belarus’ most important natural resources.
About one-fifth of the country was affected by the Chernobyl accident in Ukraine in 1986 and large parts are still considered uninhabitable due to the radiation risk. Potatoes and meat are typical ingredients in Belarusian cuisine.
WORLD HERITAGE
The following objects in Belarus are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The year in which the item was added to the list is indicated in parentheses.
- Białowieżaskogen (1979)
- Mir Castle (2000)
- Nyasvizh Castle (2005)
- Five measuring points in Struve’s meridian arc (2005)
ELECTRICAL OUTLET
Electricity and electrical outlets in Belarus
Voltage: 220 V
Frequency: 50 Hz
Type of plug: C, F
Need an adapter: No, you do not need an adapter.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
Weather in Minsk
| Climate | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Christmas | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Soltim / day | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Minsk
According to Countryaah, Minsk is the capital of Belarus and has 1,814,700 residents (2007). The city has 12 universities and is Belarus’ educational and cultural center. It has a large industrial production of, among other things, machines, cars, radios and work tools. However, Minsk has lost its importance as one of the most important industrial cities of the former Eastern Bloc in connection with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.