Belarus

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. The capital and largest city is Minsk. The country sits on the East European Plain and is characterized by extensive forests, numerous lakes, and a network of rivers including the Dnieper, Western Dvina, and Neman basins. Administratively, Belarus is divided into six oblasts and Minsk City.

Population is about 9.3–9.6 million. Official languages are Belarusian and Russian, with Russian widely used in daily life. The state is a presidential republic. Since 1994, the president has held broad executive authority; the National Assembly consists of the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic. The political environment has been marked by limited media freedoms and protests following the 2020 elections, and ongoing state crackdowns and international sanctions.

Economy: Belarus maintains a mixed economy with a large state sector. It relies on manufacturing, machine-building, chemicals, and agriculture, particularly potatoes and dairy. Energy conditions depend heavily on Russia. The Belarusian ruble (BYN) is the currency. The country has developed a growing information technology sector and diversified exports despite sanctions.

History: Medieval states including the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, then part of the Russian Empire, and later the Soviet Union. It declared independence in 1991, adopted a new constitution in 1994, and has since pursued closer ties with Russia.

Culture: Belarusian literature and arts have notable figures such as Svetlana Alexievich and Vasil Bykaŭ. Folk traditions, crafts, and music are part of the national heritage.