WitRusland

WitRusland, also known as Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the northeast and east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. The capital and largest city is Minsk. The population is around 9.3 million. The official languages are Belarusian and Russian, with Russian widely used in education and media.

WitRusland functions as a presidential republic with a strong executive. The president is elected for five years; the National Assembly consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic. Since 1994 the presidency has been a dominant feature of its politics, drawing international attention to elections and protests.

The economy is diversified, with manufacturing, chemicals, and agriculture. It relies on energy from Russia and exports machinery, fertilizers, and agricultural products. Sanctions and reform pressures have shaped growth, while relations with Russia and Western partners remain central.

Historically, WitRusland emerged from medieval states and was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth before joining the Russian Empire. It became the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union and gained independence in 1991.

Internationally, WitRusland is part of the Union State with Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union, and it participates in CSTO. It maintains close ties with Russia and has limited integration with Western institutions, while engaging with the European Union on selective issues.

Culture and society reflect Belarusian and Russian traditions, with literature, music, and folk art playing prominent roles. The country preserves religious and folk customs and features several sites recognized by UNESCO.